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There are critical differences between an adult brain (< 22 for females and 25 for males) than an adolescent or young adult brain. Correspondingly, there are equally critical differences in the way alcohol and drugs react with their brains.
The young brain is in a growth phase so circuits can be rewired more easily. In past decades, most people who developed addictions had relatives who also exhibited addictive behaviors. There had to be some genetic predisposition to addiction, mood disorders or other obsessive/compulsive behaviors.
When a young brain is exposed to alcohol or drugs, especially to excess or in binge-like fashion, the brain can actually develop an addiction where there is no genetic predisposition. Also, it takes less time for a young brain to develop an addiction than a mature one.
This new phenomena is due partly to the dramatically increased in potency of the drugs that are on the street now, as opposed to those of the past. Also, there is more binge partying where large amounts of alcohol or substances are taken during a relatively short time period. In effect, adolescents and young adults may be permanently altering the way their brains function on a day-to-day basis.
Everyone Is Doing It
This is a myth. Not everyone is doing "it". How do you know how is and who isn’t?
One good indicator is GPA. In one study, students with an “A” average drank an average or 3.3 drinks per week. Those with a “D” or “F” average consumed an average of 25.3 drinks. Some of the lower grades were due to fatigue, hangover, loss of motivation and impaired intellectual functioning.
About 80% of college students drink alcohol, but only 15-20% are considered problem drinkers. Consider this, of students at Virginia Tech:
- 92% had never taken a test with a hangover
- 80% had never studied with a hangover
- 70% had never missed a class due to alcohol
- 65% had never gone to class with a hangover
- Only 4.6% had done all of the above at least once
On the other hand:
- 44% had let alcohol affect their studies
- 33% had their study and sleep time interrupted by other’s drinking from having to “take care” of them.
Other Academic Factors
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) has become a common complaint of high school and college students. Marijuana use mimics the effects of attention deficit. It is estimated that at least half of all newly diagnosed cases of ADD may be due to marijuana use. Before starting Adderal, maybe students should quit smoking marijuana for three to four months to see if their symptoms resolve.
Alcohol impairs the transfer and consolidation of information in short-term memory to long-term memory. Being able to learn and then remember information is certainly a critical skill for academic performance. Effects of alcohol can last for long periods of time even after the feeling of intoxication wears off, up to 72 hours. This is true even in small amounts such as BAC of .03 or greater. It can shorten attention span for up to 48 hours.
These are just a few examples of little known consequences of alcohol and drug misuse in adolescents and young adults.
How Do You Know There Is A Problem?
There are many opinions on this. We certainly do not advocate illegal activity, but there are levels of use and misuse.
The following are good indications of functioning. If a student can:
- Perform well in school
- Hold down a job
- Manage money
- Not be in trouble with the school or the law
They are likely not in big trouble with alcohol or substance misuse, at least not yet. If any one of these begins to change, don’t wait. Don’t blame it on the teacher, boss or picky law enforcement officer with nothing better to do.
Get an assessment and get it quickly! It may not be substances, but it may be one of the other CHAOTIC Characteristics. With either, early intervention is much easier than clean-up later.
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