Teen Substance Use and Abuse

1
Teen Substance Use and Abuse

• Intervention
• Target students earlier
• More effective when compared to higher grade
  level students

2
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Relationship among the number and types of risk
  factors
• Deviant attitudes and behaviours
• protective factors (parental support)

3
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• The potential impact of specific risk and
  protective factors changes with age. For example,
  risk factors within the family have greater
  impact on a younger child, while association with
  drug-abusing peers may be a more significant risk
  factor for an adolescent.

4
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Early intervention with risk factors (e.g.,
  aggressive behavior and poor self-control) often
  has a greater impact than later intervention by
  changing a childs life path (trajectory) away
  from problems and toward positive behaviors.

5
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Prevention programs should address all forms of
  drug abuse
• Tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, alcohol,
  prescription and over-the counter drugs
• the type of drug abuse problem in the local
  community, target modifiable risk factors, and
  strengthen identified protective factors
• tailored to address risks specific to population
  or audience characteristics, such as age, gender
  to improve program effectiveness.

6
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Some specific prevention pgms.
• Study habits and academic support
• Communication
• Peer relationship
• Self-efficacy and assertiveness
• Drug-resistant skills
• Reinforcement of anti-drug attitudes
• Strengthening of personal commitments against
  drug abuse

7
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Social context of substance abuse
• Goal setting (career and life planning)
• Anxiety/stress-reduction skills
• Decision-making skills
• Self-esteem/self-concept development
• Communication skills

8
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Teachers role
• Setting example
• Working with counsellors
• Development pgm. that complements community
  efforts, involving family and peers
• Identify and refer high risk children

9
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Intervention
• Educational approach
• Create higher level of self-esteem in student
• Improve coping skills
• Develop effective interpersonal decision making
• Present more facts and substantive knowledge
  about drug and chemical dependence

10
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Medical and Psychiatric Context
• Development risk
• Emotional difficulties
• Experiencing a traumatic event and taking
  substance to overcome the situaton

11
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Medical and Psychiatric Context
• Psychiatric disorder
• Affective disorders, personality disorders,
  attention deficit disorders, antisocial
  personality disorders and conduct disorder

12
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Criteria for Treatment
• Absence of acute psychiatric or medical
  difficulties
• Absence of chronic medical difficulties
• Willingness to abstain from all mood-altering
  drugs

13
Teen Substance U A Cont.

• Criteria for Treatment
• Willingness to submit random urine screens
• A history of successful outpatient treatment
• Family involvement and involvement in the tx.
  process
• Evidence of self-motivation