On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Naperville Central High School (NCHS) hosted a District 203 presentation on the adolescent brain and substance abuse, according to Dr. Celeste Napier, the director of the Research and Recovery Center for Compulsive Behaviors and Addiction at Rush University Medical Center.

Napier, who was also a presenter, said the seminar covered adolescent decision-making, vulnerability to disorder/drug addiction and various strategies to protect the brain.

“The way we interact with each other could be [improved] by understanding the brain and the neuroscience of decision-making,” Napier said.

The presentation aimed to teach parents about their teenager’s developing brain, how to better communicate with their children and why teenagers make certain decisions.

“Adolescence is a very difficult and stressful time in one’s life. Things are changing, and hormones are changing,” Napier said. “Our society expects a lot of our adolescents. We need to be able to do a much better job of helping and supporting adolescents to make healthy choices.”

According to Napier, when adults make a decision, they have enough experience to determine long-term consequences of their choices. However, the adolescent brain is wired to take greater risks.

Teens often face the internal struggle between satisfying their immediate gratification and long-term positive success, Naperville North High School social worker Brent Terada said.

“[Resisting gratification] allows you to work for the long-term goals, such as passing up the opportunity to go out with your friends to do well in school,” Terada said.

NCHS parent Stephanie Ware will be changing the way she communicates with her teen as a result of this presentation.

“I’ve learned that teenagers’ brains are not fully developed yet,” Ware said. “I cannot assume that they think the same way I do. When I approach my teenager, I have to keep that in mind.”