"Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll"
Why Do Kids Start Smoking; and other unhealthy, self-destructive behaviors? What can parents do? How to develop a constructive parenting plan that will reduce the risk? Why does it matter? "Isn't risky behavior during adolescence normal?" "I did it and I'm fine, what's the big deal?" Ingesting, inhaling, injecting drugs and alcohol can impact brain development during the adolescent years, a time of rapid brain growth. Even small differences in neurological development can cause lasting problems well into adulthood. "Altered brain development due to exposure of neurotoxins during adolescence, particularly alcohol, could set the stage for cognitive problems into adulthood, conferring functional consequences throughout life."(3) It is best if the brain is well protected from birth until age 25. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco (other*) all pose significant risks to healthy brain development. Below is a list of risk factors for smoking cigare...