Substance Abuse Prevention
view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem. Parents, teens, older adults, and other members of the community tend to characterize people who take drugs as morally weak or as having criminal tendencies. They believe that drug abusers and addicts should be able to stop taking drugs if they are willing to change their behavior. Addiction does begin with drug abuse when an individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs, but addiction is not just "a lot of drug use." Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into addiction, a chronic, relapsing illness. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves. Treatment is necessary to end this compulsive behavior. There is a number of factors which help preventing drug abuse among teens. Enhancing them can help to avoid many problems and save lives of many teens. Protective factors work in different spheres of teen’s life and their combination would be the most helpful. So, factors which promote drug abuse prevention include: - knowledge regarding risks associated with substance abuse/use;
- negative attitudes toward substances and substance use;
- positive relationships with adults;
- youth involvement in alternative activities;
- sense of well-being/self confidence;
- spiritual or religious identity;
- assertiveness;
- academic achievement;
- close family relationships;
- copes with stress in a positive way;
- shares family responsibilities, including chores and decision making;
- opportunities exist for community involvement;
- laws and ordinances are consistently enforced;
- informal social control;
- policies and norms encourage non-use;
- resources (housing, healthcare, childcare, jobs, recreation, etc.) are available;
- comprehensive risk focused programs available.
Understanding drug abuse also helps in understanding how to prevent use in the first place. For example, results from NIDA-funded prevention research have shown that comprehensive prevention programs that involve the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. It is necessary to keep sending the message that it is better to not start at all than to enter rehabilitation if addiction occurs.
Sources:
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