Substance Use Disorders in Adolescence

Substance use disorder is the clinical designation for continued use of substances despite negative consequences in the biological, psychological, and social domains of one’s life. Substance use, abuse, and dependence among youth are common and often co-occur with other disorders. Because adolescent brain development persists into the early to mid-20s, and because many substances of use and abuse are associated with brain tissue changes and brain damage, substance use disorders are one of the foremost risks to youth development. This entry describes the features of substance use disorders, discusses risk and protective factors associated with [Page 1624]substance use disorders, details the types of substances involved in substance use disorders, and reviews some of the more common treatment models for substance use disorders.