Highlights

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Adolescence is a time of important developmental and social growth. There are many interrelated factors that influence changes in a young person’s brain structure and function, and can have a long-term impact on their body, mind, and mental health.
Adolescence is also a time of growing independence, exploration, and risk-taking. Teens may experiment with nicotine via cigarettes or vaping, alcohol, and marijuana, at a time when exposure to these substances can have a significant impact on brain development. Early use of alcohol and other substances can increase the likelihood of going on to use other drugs and of developing a substance use disorder.
NIDA leads the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development^SM Study (ABCD Study^®), a long-term study of brain development and child health. The ABCD Study is researching the effects of substance use as well as environmental, social, genetic, and other biological factors on the developing adolescent brain.

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD Study®)

ABCD is a landmark study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which will increase our understanding of environmental, social, genetic, and other biological factors that affect brain and cognitive development and that can enhance or disrupt a young person’s life trajectory.

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Learn More About the Adolescent Brain and Substance Use

Find resources for parents and educators on the NIDA web site.
See the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study^SM(ABCD Study^®) web site.
Read about alcohol and the adolescent brain on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism web site.
See data on drug use in adolescents and young adults from the Monitoring the Future study.
Learn about high-risk substance use among youth from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NIDA. 2024, June 27. The Adolescent Brain and Substance Use . Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/adolescent-brain-substance-use on 2025, July 10

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In an emergency? Need treatment?

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IN AN EMERGENCY:

Are you or someone you know experiencing severe symptoms or in immediate danger? Please seek immediate medical attention by calling 9-1-1 or visiting an Emergency Department. Poison control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 or www.poison.org.
Are you or someone you know experiencing a substance use and/or mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress? Please call or text 988 or chat www.988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

FIND TREATMENT:

For referrals to substance use and mental health treatment programs, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit www.FindTreatment.gov to find a qualified healthcare provider in your area.
For other personal medical advice, please speak to a qualified health professional. Find more health resources on USA.gov.

DISCLAIMER:

The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.

June 2024