Study Links Adolescent Substance Use to Psychiatric Symptoms

 

According to a recent survey-based study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Minnesota, "High school students who reported using cannabis, alcohol, or nicotine were more likely to have thoughts about suicide, feel depressed or anxious, have unusual experiences, and exhibit inattention or hyperactivity."

Key Takeaways from the study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, included 2022-2023 survey results from more than 15,000 high school students across Massachusetts:

*Alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use were each associated with suicidal thoughts as well as depression and anxiety symptoms, psychotic experiences, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms

*Strengths of these associations were generally similar regardless of the type of substance used

*Thoughts of suicide were approximately 5x more prevalent among high school students who used substances daily or near daily compared with those who did not

*Findings suggest that students with frequent substance use are likely to present with other psychiatric symptoms that put them at risk for negative long-term outcomes

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Read more here: 
https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/high-school-students-using-alcohol-cannabis-or-nicotine-at-higher-risk-for-suicidal-thoughts?fbclid=IwAR1zWPVXJr8FGg7qsZIsWxloKwUOSrB_26_M6LNrwDWmQJ_tuY10S2ZQy70#:~:text=BOSTON%20%E2%80%93%20High%20school%20students%20who,by%20researchers%20at%20Massachusetts%20General