Adolescence is a developmental period that involves significant biological, psychological, and social changes. It is also a period of increased sensation-seeking and risk-taking behavior, which can contribute to the development of addictive disorders. This article focuses on three broad domains of adolescent addictive disorders for which a relatively large research base exists: nicotine dependence, other substance use disorders, and pathological gambling. We discuss each of these addictive disorders from clinical, epidemiological, and treatment perspectives.
