Dealing with a teen’s marijuana use often is stressful leaving parents with conflicted emotions over perceived parenting mistakes. Marijuana is one of the main drugs of choice for teens and accounts for 17% of admissions to treatment facilities, second only to opiate use. So what in fact are the use statistics?
In a recent U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey of drug use patterns, in the 12-17 year age group the following was found:
An estimated 7.1 percent of young people in that range were current users of marijuana.
The rate of teens who use marijuana rises with age: 1 percent of 12-13 year olds, 5.8 percent in the 14-15 year range, and 14.2 percent in the 16-17 year range.
It is the most common drug found in drivers who die in accidents, sometimes in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs.
The potency of marijuana (i.e. THC levels) has been rising for over 20 years presenting greater risks and contributing to the increased incidence of emergency room visits due to marijuana.
Given the legalization of marijuana increasing in the U.S., many teens see this as permission to use the substance. However, there are concerning issues pointing to marijuana’s negative effects on the developing brains of teens. Four of these were noted by Dr. Daniel Amen, a noted neuroscience expert:
1. Marijuana increases risk of depression and suicidal behavior. The use of marijuana before age 18 significantly increases the risk of developing depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal attempts in a 2019 review of 11 studies.
2. Marijuana impairs cognitive function. Memory, learning, and attention all are affected negatively by marijuana. There is research consistent with the conclusion that teens who use marijuana frequently have declines in IQ, perform more poorly in school, and are more likely to drop out. They have higher rates of unemployment later in life and more dissatisfaction with life.
3. Marijuana disrupts the brain’s maturation process. Dr. Amen noted that heavy marijuana use in teens interferes with brain development damaging the formation of the brain’s white matter which contributes to speed of communication in the brain. There have been findings of higher incidences of impulsivity in teens who started smoking marijuana prior to age 16.
4. Marijuana reduces blood flow to the brain. The effect of low blood flow occurs frequently in the hippocampus, a brain area involved in memory, mood, and learning. On neuroimaging studies low blood flow has been seen with attention deficit disorder, depression, suicide, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more.
Certainly, the effects of the use of marijuana on teens brains and behaviors is not benign despite what legalization advocates have to say. It is never too early to begin discussion with your young person about the issues noted here. I will have more to say about communication with your teen in other posts including signs/symptoms of use and beneficial strategies to intervene short of seeking professional help. For now, recognize the risks and do not dismiss them. If you would like more information on managing stress, please consult our book (I Can’t Take It Anymore: How to Manage Stress so It Doesn’t Manage You; Paul G. Longobardi, Ph.D., and Janice B. Longobardi, R.N., B.S.N., P.H.N.), available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542458056. For additional information about the authors and book, please consult our website at www.manageyourhealthandstress.com.
It is never too late to change your thoughts and thus your results. Good luck on your journey.
Dr. Paul Longobardi
For information on these and related topics, please see my website at www.successandmindset.com