Defining Adolescent Problem Drinking and Misuse Adolescent problem drinking is characterized by a pattern of alcohol consumption that results in clinically significant distress or impairment, exceeding mere experimentation and often meeting criteria for a mild, moderate, or severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as defined by standardized diagnostic manuals. This pattern is distinguished from typical developmental […]
Defining the Scope of Adolescent Substance Use Adolescent substance use (ASU) represents a critical public health concern, encompassing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, or misuse of prescription medications by individuals aged roughly 10 to 19. This period of development is characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social transitions, rendering youth particularly vulnerable to […]
Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Abuse: An Encyclopedia Entry Adolescent substance use, encompassing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit or non-prescribed psychoactive drugs, represents a significant public health crisis with profound implications for neurodevelopmental trajectory and lifelong health outcomes. The period of adolescence, defined roughly between the ages of 10 and 19, is characterized by […]