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LogoSubstance Abuse Prevention 101

Not all youthful drug or alcohol use leads to addiction, but no one knows how long it takes to develop an abuse problem or even who will develop a problem. What is known is that addiction begins with use and continues with abuse before becoming full-blown addiction. Drug and alcohol use can lead to many negative consequences, including bad grades, broken friendships, family problems, physical violence and troubles with the law. Because of new scientific research, we know that addiction is not a matter of will; it is a disease of the brain. While there is no cure, there is prevention. The sooner you take action to stop occasional use, the higher your chances of stopping the progression to abuse and addiction.

Research shows that kids start using drugs and alcohol because they feel the need to take risks or believe it will help them fit in or feel better. Sometimes they use drugs because they seek relief from stress or feelings of depression. It’s important to remember that there is, sometimes, a genetic risk for addiction-- just like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases.
Signs & Symptoms Cry, baby

Many parents find it difficult to spot signs of drug use, especially since many of the signs and symptoms listed below are common in perfectly normal adolescents. While there is no single warning sign for drug and alcohol use, some indicators of a potential problem include:
  • Drop in school attendance or academic performance
  • Lack of interest in personal appearance
  • Physical changes (e.g., persistent runny nose, red eyes, coughing, wheezing, bruises, needle marks, rashes around the mouth)
  • Uncharacteristic withdrawal from family, friends, or interests
  • Isolation, depression, fatigue
  • Hostility and lack of cooperativeness
  • Increase in borrowing money
  • Unaccounted for cash, especially in small denominations
  • Change in friends
  • Loss of interest in hobbies or sports that used to be important
  • Change in eating/ sleep habits
  • Use of incense or room deodorant
  • Sudden use of strong perfume or visine-type products
Risk and Protective Factors

Studies over the past two decades have tried to determine the origins and pathways of drug abuse and addiction (including tobacco and alcohol) - how the problem starts and how it progresses. Many factors have been identified that help differentiate those more likely to abuse drugs from those less vulnerable to drug abuse.

Factors associated with greater potential for drug abuse are called “risk factors”, while those associated with reduced potential for abuse are called “protective factors”.

The table below provides a framework for characterizing risk and protective factors in five domains, or settings. These domains can then serve as a focus for prevention.

An important goal of prevention is to change the balance between risk and protective factors so that the protective factors outweigh risk factors.

RISK FACTORS DOMAIN PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Early aggressive behavior Individual Impulse control
Poor social coping skills Individual Strong bonds with prosocial Institutions
Lack of parental supervision Family Parental monitoring
Drug availability School Anti-drug use policies
Poverty Community Strong neighborhood attachment
For more information on prevention theory and related topics, please refer to the state and federal websites listed in www.ulsterpreventionproject.org/stateandfederallinks or go to www.samhsa.gov for a comprehensive overview on substance abuse, alcoholism, and mental health issues.

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