Adolescence marks a period of significant neurodevelopmental changes and is particularly sensitive to exposures such as alcohol and drugs. Almost 1/3 of 12th graders and almost ½ of college students report binge drinking and ¼ of teens report past-year marijuana use (Lisdahl et al., 2013). The increased prevalence of substance use during adolescence is partially a product of increased impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors associated with this stage of life. It is particularly important that extra efforts are made to prevent the early onset of substance use and protect the developing brain from damage during this sensitive period of development.
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