Substance use

Substances, such as alcohol, drugs, and nicotine are all around us.

Experimentation with substances can be a common experience for young people. At the same time, you may have received information about substance use in school or in other settings that has felt scary or stigmatizing (makes you feel ashamed, making the subject difficult to talk and learn about). You may feel interested in trying them because you're curious or may feel pressure from your friends. It can be difficult to know what information you can trust and how to navigate your decision-making about substances.

Here we provide information about how substances can affect teen bodies and brains over time to help you make informed decisions about trying or using them.