Bright Nights Community Forum: The Adolescent Brain - Substance Use, Depression, and Recovery

Fri, 05/25/2018 - 3:10pm

When: March 20, 2018 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Important features of brain development exist during the adolescent period, and this developmental phase matters when we talk about adolescent depression and substance use. Understanding these developmentally specific features of depression and substance use helps with parental monitoring, understanding, responding effectively to youth, as well as knowing more about what to expect and how to discern when more help is needed. It is common for parents to wonder, "are they just being a moody teenager?" or "isn't it normal to experiment with alcohol or drugs during adolescence?" Sometimes parents are unsure which condition, substance use or mental illness, is primary or what needs to be treated first. 

In order to address these and other dilemmas in relation to dual diagnosis in adolescence, The University of Michigan Depression Center and the Ann Arbor District Library present a Bright Nights community forum entitled, “The Adolescent Brain: Substance Use, Depression, and Recovery”.

Dr. Joanna Quigley, Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry; Associate Medical Director for Child & Adolescent Services, Ambulatory Psychiatry & University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS), gives a brief overview presentation reviewing the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression; signs, symptoms and impact of substance use during adolescence; the intersection of these conditions; how they influence one another and what this can mean for long term development. She speaks about the importance of early intervention and prevention, as well as response focused on education and effective dialogue.

The presentation is followed by questions and discussion with a panel of experts including Lewei Allison Lin, MD, Addiction Psychiatrist, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Research Investigator, VA Center for Clinical Management Research; Charles Graham, PhD, LMSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychologist, University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS), Department of Psychiatry, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University; Lorraine Shulman LMSW, Adolescent Program Social Work Lead, University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services, Department of Psychiatry; and parent representatives.