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. 2013 Feb;22(1):41-6.

Substance-use in Childhood and Adolescence: A Brief Overview of Developmental Processes and their Clinical Implications

Natalie Castellanos-Ryan  1 , Maeve O'Leary-Barrett, Patricia J Conrod
Affiliations

Substance-use in Childhood and Adolescence: A Brief Overview of Developmental Processes and their Clinical Implications

Natalie Castellanos-Ryan et al. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: The current paper aims to review findings from developmental research that are related to adolescent substance-use and are considered key for improving theory and developing effective prevention.

Method: A selective literature review of relevant developmental studies on adolescent substance-use was conducted.

Results: Studies in epidemiology and developmental science focusing on developmental onset, developmental transitions, comorbidity among disorders, and endophenotypes have identified important trends, risk-factors for and consequences of adolescent substance-use, which have informed theoretical models of addiction. Furthermore, they have informed clinical practice by identifying childhood disorders and personality characteristics that can be targeted preventatively before substance-use problems have their onset.

Conclusions: Developmental research has contributed significantly to the understanding of aetiology and treatment of substance-use disorders. By targeting early liability factors rather than substance-use problems later in adolescence, interventions could reduce the adverse impact substance-use has on the developing brain as well as other associated harms.

Résumé OBJECTIF: Le présent article vise à examiner les résultats de la recherche développementale qui ont trait à l’utilisation de substances des adolescents, et qui sont considérés essentiels pour améliorer la théorie et mettre au point une prévention efficace. MÉTHODE: Une revue sélective des études développementales pertinentes de la littérature sur l’utilisation de substances des adolescents a été menée. RÉSULTATS: Les études en épidémiologie et en science du développement portant sur le début développemental, les transitions développementales, la comorbidité parmi les troubles, et les endophénotypes ont identifié d’importantes tendances, les facteurs de risque et les conséquences de l’utilisation de substances des adolescents, et cette information a contribué aux modèles théoriques de la toxicomanie. En outre, ces études ont éclairé la pratique clinique en identifiant les troubles de l’enfance et les caractéristiques de la personnalité que la prévention peut cibler avant que n’apparaissent les problèmes d’utilisation de substances. CONCLUSIONS: La recherche développementale a significativement contribué à la compréhension de l’étiologie et du traitement des troubles liés à l’utilisation de substances. En ciblant tôt les facteurs de responsabilité plutôt que les problèmes d’utilisation de substances plus tard à l’adolescence, les interventions pourraient réduire l’effet nuisible de l’utilisation de substances sur le cerveau en développement ainsi que d’autres méfaits connexes.

Keywords: adolescence; aetiology; development; prevention; substance-use.

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References

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