Study: Adolescents more likely to become addicts after trying marijuana or misusing prescription drugs

A study led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) claims that adolescents (ages 12-17) are more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder after trying marijuana or misusing prescription drugs.

The study reports within 12 months since first cannabis use, 10.7% of adolescents had cannabis use disorder; within 12 months since first misuse of prescription drugs: 11.2% of adolescents had prescription opioid use disorder, 13.9% of adolescents had prescription stimulant use disorder, 11.2% of adolescents had prescription tranquilizer use disorder. "We know that young people are more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders, but knowledge is limited on how the prevalence of specific substance use disorders varies by time since first substance use or misuse among adolescents and young adults in the United States," said Dr. Nora Volkow, M.D., NIDA Director and a lead author of the analysis. "Though not everyone who uses a drug will develop addiction, adolescents may develop addiction to substances faster than young adults. This study provides further evidence that delaying substance exposure until the brain is more fully developed may lower risk for developing a substance use disorder." The study comes as New York is poised to join a growing number of states that have legalized marijuana after state lawmakers reached a deal to allow sales of the drug for recreational use.