Adolescent alcohol and cannabis use is pervasive and affects the developing brain. Substance use prevention and treatment efforts are typically underutilised and have only modest effects on reducing use. Utilising neuroscience in prevention and treatment efforts can make tangible differences in health outcomes by addressing substance-related brain changes. Findings from recent neuroscience-informed adolescent substance use treatment interventions will be presented, as well as promising results from a youth-focused, neuroscience-based outreach and educational program.
Dr Squeglia is an Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, co-Director of the Youth Collaborative, and current Fulbright Scholar at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on understanding the effects of substance use on brain development and using neuroscience to improve adolescent substance use disorder interventions.
