In the UK in 2017, 9% of pupils aged 11–15 reported having drunk alcohol in the previous week, which is the lowest rate since the 1980s. Illegal drug use in the previous year reported by 15-year olds halved between 2001 and 2014. Despite these promising figures, adolescence is deemed to be decisive for future biopsychosocial development and performance. Initiation during adolescence may therefore have long-term implications, affecting mental performance and educational outcomes. This article focuses on patterns of drug misuse in teenagers. The warning signs of drug misuse and useful assessment tools are also introduced. For the purposes of this article, alcohol will be defined as a drug.
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