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Adolescent Substance Abuse | December 2024

Dr. Nora Volkow: The Brain Behind Modern Addiction Research

Dr. Nora Volkow, a distinguished neuroscientist, is an important contributor in the fields of addiction science and mental health research.

Dr. Nora D. Volkow
Dr. Nora Volkow
Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service

Born in Mexico City in 1956, Dr. Volkow demonstrated academic prowess from the start, attending the National University of Mexico’s Medical School, where she was awarded the prestigious Robins Award for being the best medical student of her generation. She attending New York University to further her expertise in psychiatry, earning a Laughlin Fellowship for being one of the ten most outstanding psychiatric residents in the United States.

Dr. Volkow’s innovative work in brain imaging has redefined our understanding of addiction. She has extensively studied the dopamine system, demonstrating how substance use alters brain function, particularly in areas tied to reward and self-control. She has also made key contributions to the neurobiology of obesity, ADHD, and aging. In 2003, she was appointed Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), where she continues to lead groundbreaking efforts and studies on combatting substance abuse and its societal impact.

During her illustrious career, Dr. Volkow has authored nearly 1,000 peer-reviewed articles and over 100 book chapters and manuscripts, reflecting the depth and breadth of her influence. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service and the International Prize from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research. Her efforts were further honored with the Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences and induction into the CHADD Hall of Fame.

She has been celebrated by major publications, such as Time magazine, which named her one of the “Top 100 People Who Shape Our World,” and Newsweek, which listed her among “20 People to Watch.” Her role as a thought leader garnered her inclusion in Washingtonian magazine’s “100 Most Powerful Women” and Fortune’s “34 Leaders Who Are Changing Health Care.”

Dr. Volkow is an inspiring example not only for women, but for how scientific innovation can drive meaningful progress in public health.

*All information obtained from National Institute on Drug Abuse

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Public Health Landscape or Valent BioSciences, LLC.

More from Adolescent Substance Abuse | December 2024

Andrew Carnie: Immersing Audiences in Science

Andrew Carnie is a notable contemporary visual artist with a global exhibition footprint, based in the UK.

An emeritus fellow at the Winchester School of Art, Southampton University, Carnie’s work focuses greatly on the intersection of art and science. In fact, he has a blog focused on just that.

While he frequently collaborates with scientists, his creative approach remains broad and unconstrained by specific media, adapting his methodologies to the context and themes of each project.

More Teens than Ever are Overdosing

For years, students in middle and high schools across the country were urged to “just say no” to drugs and alcohol. But it’s no secret that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, which was typically delivered by police officers who urged total abstinence, didn’t work.

A meta-analysis found the program largely ineffective and one study even showed that kids who completed D.A.R.E. were more likely than their peers to take drugs (Ennett, S. T., et al., American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 84, No. 9, 1994; Rosenbaum, D. P., & Hanson, G. S., Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Vol. 35, No. 4, 1998).

“We know that the ‘Just Say No’ campaign doesn’t work. It’s based in pure risks, and that doesn’t resonate with teens,” said developmental psychologist Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, a professor of pediatrics and founder and executive director of several substance use prevention and intervention curriculums at Stanford University. “There are real and perceived benefits to using drugs, as well as risks, such as coping with stress or liking the ‘high.’ If we only talk about the negatives, we lose our credibility.”

Terrifying Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse

Globally, an estimated 64 million people were suffering from drug use disorders in 2022, with cases of adolescent substance abuse evident in all regions of the world.

Adolescence describes the phase of life when people transition from childhood to adulthood (ages 10-19). During this period a person experiences rapid biological, cognitive, physiological, and psychological change. It’s also when a person establishes both positive and negative patterns of behavior that can relate to physical activity, diet, sexual activity, and substance use. This vital stage of human development is crucial in building the foundations of good health as these learnt behaviors can continue to influence a person for the rest of their lives. When adolescents are continuously exposed to substances before their brain can fully mature there is a much higher risk of developing a dependency and psychiatric complications.

Creating Drug-Free Communities

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).