[The effect of abused drugs on the developing brain during childhood and adolescence]

Exposure to drugs of abuse during adolescence may lead to developmental disturbances, which may have functional consequences as well. Especially detrimental to the brain is substantial binge drinking, which may in the worst case lead to loss of the brain's gray matter gray substance and reduced integrity of the white matter. These changes are reflected in many cognitive functions. Also cannabis interferes with brain maturation and causes impairment of cognitive functioning. Although the structural changes induced by drugs are likely to largely return to normal after cessation of use, their overall effect on the functional capacity of the young may be significant.