Substance Use-Related Recommended Materials

This book explores the science of how the brain develops–and why teenagers learn skills extremely quickly, but are also more vulnerable to addiction. Find a brief video of her explanation of the double-edged sword of the teen brain or check out this NPR article. The book is available at the Transylvania County Library.

Based on the latest science, this book is a detailed look at the neurobiology of addiction and thoroughly covers every class of drugs. Watch Judith’s talk on the book here or llisten to her on NPR’s “Fresh Air”.

This one-hour documentary explains the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Now understood to be one of the leading causes of everything from heart disease to substance abuse and mental illness, extremely stressful experiences in childhood can alter brain development and have lifelong effects on health and behavior. This film paints a hopeful landscape as experts in pediatrics, social welfare, and education find ways to heal the damage caused by toxic stress. The film is available at the Transylvania County Library.