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Emergence of sex differences in the development of substance use and abuse during adolescence.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kuhn, C
Published in: Pharmacol Ther
September 2015

Substance use and abuse begin during adolescence. Male and female adolescent humans initiate use at comparable rates, but males increase use faster. In adulthood, more men than women use and abuse addictive drugs. However, some women progress more rapidly from initiation of use to entry into treatment. In animal models, adolescent males and females consume addictive drugs similarly. However, reproductively mature females acquire self-administration faster, and in some models, escalate use more. Sex/gender differences exist in neurobiologic factors mediating both reinforcement (dopamine, opioids) and aversiveness (CRF, dynorphin), as well as intrinsic factors (personality, psychiatric co-morbidities) and extrinsic factors (history of abuse, environment especially peers and family) which influence the progression from initial use to abuse. Many of these important differences emerge during adolescence, and are moderated by sexual differentiation of the brain. Estradiol effects which enhance both dopaminergic and CRF-mediated processes contribute to the female vulnerability to substance use and abuse. Testosterone enhances impulsivity and sensation seeking in both males and females. Several protective factors in females also influence initiation and progression of substance use including hormonal changes of pregnancy as well as greater capacity for self-regulation and lower peak levels of impulsivity/sensation seeking. Same sex peers represent a risk factor more for males than females during adolescence, while romantic partners increase risk for women during this developmental epoch. In summary, biologic factors, psychiatric co-morbidities as well as personality and environment present sex/gender-specific risks as adolescents begin to initiate substance use.

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Published In

Pharmacol Ther

DOI

EISSN

1879-016X

Publication Date

September 2015

Volume

153

Start / End Page

55 / 78

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Sex Factors
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Risk Factors
  • Protective Factors
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Brain
 

Citation

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Kuhn, C. (2015). Emergence of sex differences in the development of substance use and abuse during adolescence. Pharmacol Ther, 153, 55–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.06.003
Kuhn, Cynthia. “Emergence of sex differences in the development of substance use and abuse during adolescence.Pharmacol Ther 153 (September 2015): 55–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.06.003.
Kuhn, Cynthia. “Emergence of sex differences in the development of substance use and abuse during adolescence.Pharmacol Ther, vol. 153, Sept. 2015, pp. 55–78. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.06.003.
Journal cover image

Published In

Pharmacol Ther

DOI

EISSN

1879-016X

Publication Date

September 2015

Volume

153

Start / End Page

55 / 78

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Sex Factors
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Risk Factors
  • Protective Factors
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Brain