RT Book, Section A1 Kaul, Paritosh A2 Hay, Jr., William W. A2 Levin, Myron J. A2 Deterding, Robin R. A2 Abzug, Mark J. SR Print(0) ID 1153303382 T1 Adolescent Substance Abuse T2 Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics, 24e YR 2018 FD 2018 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259862908 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1153303382 RD 2022/05/28 AB Substance abuse tends to be a chronic, progressive disease. Initiation of substance use is becoming such a common feature of an American adult that many authorities call it normative behavior. At this stage, substance use is typically limited to experimentation with tobacco or alcohol (so-called gateway substances). During adolescence, young people are expected to establish an independent, autonomous identity. They try out a variety of behaviors within the safety of families and peer groups. This process often involves experimentation with psychoactive substances, usually in culturally acceptable settings. Continuation of substance abuse, however, is a nonnormative risk behavior with the potential to compromise adolescent development.