3-159 - Why not to get high: Developmental, clinical, and neuroscience research findings on reasons for not using drugs during adolescence

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Drug and alcohol use is common among adolescents, and lifetime rates of use tend to peak during this developmental period (Johnston et al., 2014). Yet, not all youth engage in drug and alcohol use; even among those at heightened risk (i.e., children of alcoholics (Heitzeg et al., 2008)). Compared to studies on reasons why adolescents use drugs and alcohol, considerably less research exists on reasons why adolescents do not use these substances. This is troublesome for two key reasons. First, reasons for non-use may provide valuable information on protective factors of substance use. This notion is complementary to research showing adolescents’ reasons for substance use predict current and future use (Patrick et al., 2011). Second, adolescents’ reasons not to use substances have strong policy and practice implications, particularly in terms of prevention and intervention efforts based on motivational enhancement (Anderson et al., 2011; Brown et al., 2005). To address the need for research on substance non-use, the purpose of this symposium is to present interdisciplinary findings in developmental, clinical, and neuroscience research, focusing on the multi-level mechanisms underlying adolescents’ reasons and motives not to use drugs and alcohol. Our symposium includes three longitudinal studies, spans psychological and neurological levels, and includes national, community-based, and brain imaging (fMRI) data. Strategies on how adolescent research, particularly regarding substance use, can benefit from interdisciplinary efforts will be highlighted. Our discussant, an expert on substance use prevention among youth, will examine intersecting themes in health and development and set the stage for audience discussion.

Sub Unit

• Health, Growth, Injury

Chair

• Meghan Elizabeth Martz, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Discussant

• Aria Crump, National Institute on Drug Abuse

Individual Presentations

• Why do youth not use marijuana? Examining reasons for quitting or abstaining as predictors of marijuana non-use at follow-up - Presenting Author: Meghan Elizabeth Martz, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; John E Schulenberg, Univ of Michigan

• Blunted activation of emotion circuitry is a protective factor in youth at high risk for substance use disorder - Presenting Author: Mary Heitzeg, Univ of Michigan

• Exploring motives not to drink in simulated drinking situations: A novel assessment strategy in first-year college students - Presenting Author: Benjamin O Ladd, Reed College, Adolescent Health Research Program; Tracey A Garcia, Florida International University; Kristen G Anderson, Reed College, Adolescent Health Research Program