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Developmental Perspectives and Risk Factors for Substance Use

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Treating Adolescent Substance Use

Abstract

This chapter discusses normative adolescent development, including neurobiological and psychosocial maturation that contribute to significant vulnerabilities to substance use initiation and escalation. As brain structures mature at different rates, there is an imbalance between motivation to seek reward that drives behavior and executive functioning that filters it. Adolescence also marks the transition of the primary social group from family to peers, which may motivate adolescent substance use. The impact of individual substances on the developing brain is highlighted in the context of societal changes in risk perception and availability. Risk and protective factors that determine substance use disorder progression are discussed. Practical considerations for addressing substance use as part of routine care for children and adolescents are included.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Sharon Levy, Miriam A. Schizer & Leslie S. Green

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Sharon Levy & Miriam A. Schizer

  3. Department of Social Work, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Leslie S. Green

Authors
  1. Sharon Levy
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  2. Miriam A. Schizer
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  3. Leslie S. Green
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sharon Levy .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Justine W. Welsh

  2. Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Scott E. Hadland

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Levy, S., Schizer, M.A., Green, L.S. (2019). Developmental Perspectives and Risk Factors for Substance Use. In: Welsh, J., Hadland, S. (eds) Treating Adolescent Substance Use. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01893-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01893-1_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01892-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01893-1

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