Adolescent behavior health and addiction

Problematic gaming in adolescents is associated with neural alterations in structural and functional imaging studies. Especially frontal regions, associated with cognitive control functions, as well as temporoparietal areas, responsible for attention processes and self-concepts, and frontolimbic and subcortical regions, connected to emotion regulation and reward processing, are affected. The differences provide a further explanation for addictive disorders and emphasize the importance of interventions that address executive and cognitive-affective deficits...

Binge drinking (BD) is a common pattern of ethanol (EtOH) consumption by adolescents. The brain effects of the acute EtOH exposure are well-studied; however, the long-lasting cognitive and neurobehavioral consequences of BD during adolescence are only beginning to be elucidated. Environmental enrichment (EE) has long been known for its benefits on the brain and may serve as a potential supportive therapy following EtOH exposure. In this study, we hypothesized that EE may have potential benefits on the cognitive deficits associated with BD EtOH consumption...

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent substance use disorders often involve a recurring cycle of treatment and relapse. The academic and practical definition of addition recovery for adults has been debated; yet, elements determining a successful adolescent recovery aside from abstinence have not been delineated. Thus, we sought to explore how practitioners and administrators define "success" in recovery and how they foster youth progress towards success. METHODS: Using a qualitative design, we purposively selected and visited treatment and recovery services sites and interviewed practitioners and administrators (N = 13)...