In (teenagers), the brain is not fully developed, increasing the chances that they'll take risks, including using addictive substances that (hamper) brain development, impair judgment and increase the risk of (addiction), the study authors explained.
The investigators found that 75 percent 10 million of all U.S. high school students have used addictive substances such as tobacco, (alcohol), marijuana or cocaine, and that 20 percent of these students meet the medical criteria for addiction. Currently, 46 percent 6.1 million of all U.S. high school students use addictive substances and one-third of them meet the medical criteria for addiction.
Nearly three-quarters 72.5 percent of U.S. high school students have consumed alcohol, 46.3 percent have smoked (cigarettes), almost 37 percent have used marijuana, about 15 percent have (misused) prescription drugs, and over 65 percent have used more than one addictive substance, the study authors stated.
A number of social factors are linked to the high risk of addictive substance use by American teens, according to the researchers. These include: acceptance of substance use by parents, schools and communities; widespread advertising of products such as alcohol and cigarettes; and media depictions of substance use as (harmless), glamorous, fun and relaxing.