Younger age of first cannabis use or prescription drug misuse is associated with faster development of substance use disorders

A new study shows that in the time after first trying cannabis or first misusing prescription drugs, the percentages of young people who develop the corresponding substance use disorder are higher among adolescents (ages 12-17) than young adults (ages 18-25). In addition, 30% of young adults develop a heroin use disorder and 25% develop a methamphetamine use disorder a year after first using heroin or methamphetamine. These findings, published in JAMA Pediatrics, emphasize the vulnerability of young people to developing substance use disorders.

The younger the initiation to substance use – of any drug – the greater the risk of addiction! This is not news for anyone caring to spelunk the already overwhelming data of drug use impact on the emerging adult.

There is no credible voice in the literature that is denying that there is NO SAFE use of any psychotropic toxin (alcohol included) for the developing brain – up to 25-30 years of age.

Beyond any obvious harms incurred, evidence continues to mount as to the exacerbated risk of developing Substance Use Disorders (SUD). This, of course, is horrendous for anyone, but even more so for the developing brain cohort.

The ‘walking back out’ of this damaged space is incredibly difficult, and the lost time, potential, capacity, and agency of that drug use experimenting youth cannot really be quantified.

This is yet another vital reason not to increase permission models in relation to Drugs of Dependence. A culture that sets in motion mechanisms that increase access, availability and/or acceptability of drug use, is a ‘careless’ culture and the intergenerational harms this also facilitates, lands at the feet of those who promote such recklessness.

It’s time we stopped this current ‘War FOR Drugs’ and focused, as we did with the anti-smoking QUIT campaign, on preventing, not promoting uptake. One Focus – Once Message – One Voice in all sectors of the community, all focusing on emphasising protective and resiliency building factors into our communities and their families, not demolishing them.

 #DemandReduction #prevention #resilience

For complete article go to National Institute of Health –  Younger age of first cannabis use or prescription drug misuse is associated with faster development of substance use disorders | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Also See Drug Policy: Building or Demolishing Community Resilience?