CHAPTER 2: dYSREgulATion To diSoRdER • 39Havertape, & Plener, 2012). For children and adolescents ages 11 to 18 years old, rates range
between 16% and 24% (Muehlenkamp et al., 2012). With a disorder such as this, that often
involves a struggle with self-regulation, yoga and mindfulness techniques may be helpful
in treatment and prevention (Cook-Cottone, 2015).
Substance use
Substance use and substance use disorders are a significant problem among students who
are associated with other problem behaviors such as behavioral disorders, violence, school
failure, and school dropout. Students engaged in substance use increase risk in their own
lives, as well as present a public safety issue. Among the 64.3% of the students nationwide
who drove a vehicle in the last 30 days before the survey, 10.0% had driven one or more
times when they had been drinking alcohol (Kann et al., 2014).
Substance use rates are high. According to the YRBSS, 18.6% of students nationwide
report having drunk alcohol (other than a few sips) for the first time before 13 years of age
(Kann et al., 2014). Overall, most high school students (66.2%) have had at least one drink in
their lives, with variability across race and ethnicity and rates higher among females (67.9%)
than males (64.4%; Kann et al., 2014). According to the YRBSS, during the 30 days before the
survey, 34.9% of students had drunk alcohol, and 23.4% had used marijuana (Kann et al.,
2014). Overall, 20.8% of students had had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row on at least
1 day in the past 30 days, with 6.1% reporting more than 10 for the largest number of drinks
they had had in a row in the past 30 days (Kann et al., 2014).
Nationwide, 40.7% of students reported that they had used marijuana one or more times
during their life, and 8.6% reported that they had tried marijuana for the first time before
13 years of age (Kann et al., 2014). Among those surveyed, 23.4% of high school students
had used marijuana one or more times during the 30 days before the survey (Kann et al.,
2014). Other rates of substance use are also of concern, with 5.5% of students reporting to
have used cocaine, 7.1% hallucinogenic drugs, 8.9% inhalants, 6.6% ecstasy, 2.2% heroine,
3.2% methamphetamines, 3.2% steroids without a prescription, and 17.8% other recreational
drugs without a prescription (e.g., Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicoden, codeine, Adderall, Ritalin,
or Xanax; Kann et al., 2014).
According to Merikangas et al. (2010), adolescents ages 13 to 18 reported clinical-level
alcohol abuse/dependence (6.4%) and drug abuse/dependence (8.9%), while a total of
11.4% reported any substance use disorder. Substance use disorders are marked by a mix
of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms that facilitate the continued use of
a substance despite significant substance-related problems (APA, 2013). It is important to
note that substance use disorders are characterized by an underlying change in brain cir-
cuits that are associated with relapse and craving present when the individual is not intoxi-
cated (APA, 2013). To be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, the student must show a
pathological pattern of behaviors associated with use of the substance, including impaired
control over the substance, social impairment, and risky use of the substance (APA, 2013).
A student may show unsuccessful attempts to cut down or quit using; a host of family
and friendship difficulties related to use; and continued use even when previous use has
created great risk and even injury. Researchers believe that mindful approaches may be
helpful in the treatment of substance use among adolescents (e.g., Cohen, Wupperman, &
Tau, 2013).