ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE, 

ADDICTION, AND TREATMENT 

with Sarah Bagley, MD

■ Discussion Guide for Professionals 

This discussion guide is designed for professionals who are interested in learning up-to-date 

information about addressing substance use and addiction in adolescents and young adults.

Adolescence and young adulthood is a time when many people begin experimenting with 

alcohol and/or drugs. Although this experimentation does not always lead to addiction, 

most adults who have a substance use disorder started using before age 18 and develop 

their disorder by age 20. Drawing from experience as the Medical Director of CATALYST, an 

addiction treatment clinic for teens and young adults at Boston Medical Center, Dr. Bagley

shares the importance of addressing substance use during adolescence and the most 

effective approaches to treating addiction, including opioid addiction. 

The guide can be used in a variety of settings including staff meetings, conference sessions, 

or trainings. Here are a few planning tips:

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Plan for participants to view Dr. Bagley’s videos either in individual segments or all 

together at one time. The videos are on YouTube and are a total of 30 minutes in 

length (divided into shorter segments).

Decide who will facilitate the conversation.

Allow about 30 minutes to discuss the questions. If the group is larger than 10 

people, consider breaking into small groups.

Ask the facilitator to walk through the resource list with the group (and, if possible, to 

review the resources themselves before the session).

■ Discussion Questions 

1. While discussing the importance of addressing substance use in adolescents, Dr. Bagley 

referred to addiction as a “brain disease.” Did this change your thinking about teenagers 

and substance use? How? Will this cause you to respond to substance use in teens 

differently?

2. Teen brains are more susceptible to addiction than adult brains. What are signs of 

addiction in teens? If you think an adolescent you work with is exhibiting signs of 

addiction, what can you do? 
ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE, ADDICTION, AND TREATMENT

Discussion Guide for Professionals 2 

3. There has been a dramatic increase in opioid addiction and deaths in the United States. 

How many young people are affected? What kinds of effective treatment are available 

for teens and young adults? 

4. The medical community recommends that medications be offered as an option to 

address opioid addiction in teens. Why are medications an important part of treating 

opioid addiction in teens? How can you help de-stigmatize the treatment of addiction 

with medicine?

5. It is critical that professionals working with adolescents are fully informed about teens, 

substance use, and effective approaches to treating addiction. What information will you 

share with co-workers or colleagues? What three key points will you share with teenagers 

you work with? 

■ Additional Resources 

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (content for teens, parents, health professionals 

and educators) https://teens.drugabuse.gov/

Partnership for Drug Free Kids (content for parents, including a warm line, parents 

coaching, and online chatting) https://drugfree.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (information 

for providers, patients, and families, including a treatment locator)

https://www.samhsa.gov/

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SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889. This 

Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and 

information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and 

recovery in English and Spanish

Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: Find alcohol, drug, or mental 

health treatment facilities and programs around the country 

https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement: Medication-Assisted Treatment of 

Adolescents With Opioid Use Disorders (August 2016) 

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/08/18/peds.2016-1893