Substance Use Student Resources

SBIRT Resources for Teens

Did you know?
Health Effects of Substance Use
Substance Marketing: Targeting Youth
What You Can Do

Did you know?

Only about 1 in 14 middle schoolers and 1 in 8 high schoolers say they tried or used substances in the last year, according to SBIRT data. Out of the high schoolers who reported using, 31% said they were using in way that puts them at risk of developing a substance use disorder – which is when a person has a hard time controlling their substance use.

The legal age for substance use is 21 in the United States. That’s because your brain keeps growing until about age 25, especially the parts that help with choices and self-control. Using substances before the brain fully develops can have greater, harmful effects. Scroll through the tabs below to see some of the health effects that the most commonly-used substances can have:

Health Effects of Substance Use

Impaired Brain Activity

Drinking alcohol can make it harder to focus, remember things, make decisions, and manage emotions.

Accidents

Drinking alcohol can lead to more risky choices that can result in accidental injuries and getting hurt more easily.

Future Use

Sipping alcohol before your brain is fully developed – even with supervision – can make you more likely to binge drink as an older teen or adult.

Impaired Brain Activity

The nicotine in vapes can cause addiction, cell damage, and cell loss throughout the brain. It can also cause mood changes and have negative effects on learning and memory.

Lung Damage

Ultrafine particles that are inhaled while vaping can settle into the lungs and cause damage. Flavorings used in vapes that are okay to be eaten but not inhaled have also been correlated with lung damage.

Cancer

Chemical compounds that are known to cause cancer have been found in vapes. To learn more about vape ingredients, visit Behind the Haze.

Organ Toxicity

Heavy metals in vapes – like nickel, tin, and lead – are known to be toxic and can cause organ toxicity.

Impaired Brain Activity

Using marijuana during brain development can cause long-term problems with memory, learning, thinking clearly, and problem-solving.

Impaired Functioning

Being under the influence of marijuana can lead to impaired judgement, coordination, and reaction time. For more information on the effects of marijuana, visit Mind Over Mariijuana.

School Performance

Marijuana use during brain development can cause difficulty with focus and maintaining attention, which can lead to poor school performance.

Impaired Brain Activity

The nicotine in tobacco products can cause addiction, cell damage, and cell loss throughout the brain. It can also cause mood changes and have negative effects on learning and memory.

Lung Damage

Smoking tobacco is harmful to the body – especially to the lungs.

Cancer

Cigarettes contain ingredients that are known to cause cancer.

Substance Marketing: Targeting Youth

There is evidence to show that vape, tobacco, and alcohol brands specifically target youth:

Paid advertising

Companies have paid for advertisements and endorsements from social media influencers, who were chosen specifically for their underage followers.

Workshops

Companies have offered money to schools in exchange for teaching “workshops” where they claimed that their products were “totally safe” – without any proof.

Hosted events

Companies hosted summer camps, movie nights, and slumber parties with the sole purpose of distributing their products to kids for free.

What You Can Do

To stop using substances, or to keep yourself from starting, you can:

Create a boundary

You can say “no thanks” even if others are trying it. For more help with saying no, watch this video from Neighborhood House. (Click here instead to watch the video in Spanish).

Find other positive ways to cope

There are many ways to relax, like listening to music, getting some exercise, or spending time outdoors.

Stay focused

Staying substance-free lets you focus on your goals, values, and commitments.

Be media-smart

Don’t fall for targeted ads that market substance brands and products as safe or harmless – think about the message being sent to you in advertisements and the possible motivations behind it.

Get support

If you, or someone you know, is feeling pressured to drink or use substances, or is having a hard time quitting, talk to a trusted adult for support.

Need immediate help?

Crisis Connections

The Lifeline 988

HearMeWA