Many educators and psychologists wonder why some teens experiment with drugs then have no further issues with them, while other descend into addiction.

UO professor of counseling psychology and human services Atika Khurana, whose research recently was featured on a psychology website, thinks she might have found the answer. According to her new study, a combination of weak working memory and cognitive processing can lead to poor impulse control, and ultimately increases likelihood of substance abuse.

To combat this, the study recommends early-intervention programs that strengthen working memory and cognitive processing related to inhibiting impulsive responses.

“We found that there is some effect that was carried through the early progression in drug use,” said Khurana. “It is a risk factor. But we also found that the underlying weakness in working memory and impulse control continues to pose a risk for later substance use disorders.”

For the full article, see “New Approach Reduces Teen Risk for Drug Addiction” on Psych Central.

Khurana’s research focuses on understanding risk-taking during adolescence — such as substance abuse, sexual experimentation and academic disengagement — in order to better prevent it.