Study: Teens are more likely to become addicted after trying marijuana or abusing prescription drugs

A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) claims that teens (ages 12 to 17) are more likely to develop an addiction disorder after trying marijuana or abusing prescription drugs.

“Research has shown that brain development continues into your twenties, and the age of drug initiation is a very important risk factor for developing addiction,” said Emily B. Einstein, Ph .D., Chief Science Policy Officer at NIDA and a co-author of the study. “This underscores the importance of drug use prevention and screening for substance use or abuse in adolescents and young adults. Provide timely treatment and support to youth in need. must be a public health priority. “

The study reports that within 12 months of first using cannabis, 10.7% of teens had a cannabis use disorder; within 12 months of first prescription drug abuse: 11.2% of teens had a prescription opioid use disorder, 13.9% of teens had a prescription opioid use disorder prescription, 11.2% of adolescents had a disorder related to the use of prescription tranquilizers.

“We know that young people are more vulnerable to the development of substance use disorders, but knowledge is limited on how the prevalence of specific substance use disorders varies with time since first use or substance misuse among adolescents and young adults in the United States, ”said Dr. Nora Volkow, MD, director of NIDA and lead author of the review. “Although not all people who use a drug become addicted, adolescents can become addicted to substances more quickly than young adults. This study provides further evidence that delaying exposure to a substance until ‘a more fully developed brain can reduce the risk of developing a substance use disorder. “

The study comes as New York City is set to join a growing number of states that have legalized marijuana after state lawmakers struck a deal to allow the drug to be sold for recreational purposes.

The deal reached on Saturday would expand the state’s existing medical marijuana program and put in place a licensing and taxation system for recreational sales. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday as soon as possible. Legislative leaders hope to vote on the budget on Wednesday to meet the budget deadline by April 1.

At least 14 other states already allow residents to purchase marijuana for recreational purposes, not just medical.

The legislation has faced opposition from law enforcement, school and community advocates, who warn that legalization would further strain a healthcare system already overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic and send conflicting messages to young people.

“We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the severe youth vaping crisis and the persistent opioid epidemic, this nefarious legislation is counter-intuitive,” said an open letter signed by the Medical Society of the State of NY, New York State Parent Teacher Association, New York Sheriff’s Association and several other organizations March 11.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.