Contributor: Burkwood Treatment Center clinical content team member Kathryn Taylor, MA, LPC/MHSP.
Drug abuse prevention efforts during the early years of a person’s life can improve the young one’s ability to remain drug-free through adolescence and into adulthood. During the formative years of childhood and adolescence, the way that the brain grows emotionally and physically can have a large impact on the risk factors of addiction.
When pressures arise in adulthood, people will commonly revert to coping mechanisms and behavioral patterns that were instilled at an early age. There are many ways to help a young person develop responses that do not involve substance abuse.
The Impact Of Stress
Adults typically experience a higher risk of substance abuse issues at transitional times in life, especially if such transitions are accompanied by stress or emotional trauma. The same is true for younger people. For an adolescent, such transitions might involve moving to a new city or changing schools.
Emotional pressures from peers may also play a large part in the lifestyle that a young person will choose. Thus, friends and other adolescents might increase the risk of substance abuse. Pressure to succeed academically or in sports has driven some youths to use drugs in search of performance enhancement.
Decreasing The Risk
One way to decrease the risk of drug abuse during adolescence is to be alert to these periods of transition and to the risks of drug use that each situation brings. For example, entering high school might mean that drugs are now more available from older teens. Participating in school sports might leave some at risk for prescription painkiller abuse. Each situation will be unique, so alertness and discernment are crucial.
Many youth seek thrill from drug abuse. Prevention may involve providing engaging, wholesome activities and associations for a young person. No young person should feel that his or her life will be boring unless he or she gives in to curiosity or pressure to engage in drug abuse.
Parents should not believe that experimentation with drug abuse is a normal or unavoidable part of adolescence. Families, communities and schools can work together to develop programs that have been proven to reduce risk factors of drug involvement in children and adolescents.
The Research On Preventing Drug Abuse Among Children
A significant amount of illicit drug abuse starts in the early teens. Statistics show considerable first-time drug use among teens between the ages of 16 and 17. The age group with the second-highest rate of first-time drug use is the 18-20 demographic. More than 10 percent of drug addictions begin before the age of 15. [1]
Research-based methods of drug prevention for young people focus on two main principles:
- Enhancing protection against substance acceptance by boosting anti-drug activity and thinking
- Eliminating risk factors by exposing the danger of the drug culture and potential causes of addiction
These principles can be applied to programs that are designed for a variety of young people, including those that focus on youth in general, adolescents and children with high risk of abuse, or those who have already begun to engage in substance abuse.
A young person who is taught to perceive drug abuse as dangerous and undesirable may be less likely to succumb to addiction. Those who are raised in a culture of acceptance and tolerance for substance abuse may be more likely to experiment. Obviously, examples speak louder than words in this regard.
Also worth keeping your eye on is the fact some adolescents and teenagers are inclined to believe that recreationally using the same medications that their parents use for legitimate health issues is not so bad. All youth must be taught that it is never acceptable to use prescription medications that have been prescribed to another person.
Putting The Power In The Young Person's Hands
A young person who understands the following principles may have a significantly lower risk of abusing alcohol or other drug than does an adolescent or teen who does not receive proper support:
- He or she has the right and responsibility to refuse drugs.
- Patiently searching for a few positive friends is better than going with the crowd.
- Seeking mature counsel for emotional issues is a vital part of growing up well.
- Honest communication with a trusted adult is a prevention tactic.
- Planning an “escape route” from a social function that may involve drug use is a good strategy.
- Drug abuse should never be overlooked or ignored, but addressed as soon as possible. [2]
A Reminder For Parents
The Mayo Clinic urges parents to recognize that emotional issues in a young person can add stress and lead to drug abuse and addiction. Emotional and mental wellness can prevent drug abuse and addiction. Ensuring that young people have the help that they need to overcome depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders will increase their resistance to drug abuse and addiction. [3]
Helping a young person that you care about navigate a drug-free road to adulthood is a valuable effort. It’s never too early, or too late, to start!
References:
[1]: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preventing-drug-abuse-best-strategy
[2]: ERIC - Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders. Second Edition, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 2003-Oct. (n.d.). http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED521530.
[3]: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-drug-abuse/art-20045921
About the author:
“Research-Based Methods For Preventing Drug Abuse Among Children And Adolescents” was written by Burkwood Treatment Center (Hudson, Wisconsin) clinical content team member Kathryn Taylor, MA, LPC/MHSP. A licensed mental health counselor, Kathryn has several years of experience working in dual diagnosis addiction treatment, women’s issues and trauma treatment.
About Burkwood Treatment Center:
Burkwood Treatment Center, located in picturesque Hudson, Wisconsin, is a comprehensive addiction treatment center that has specialized in caring for people with addictions for over 20 years. Offering unique care through the MAAEZ (Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier) and Way of Life programs, Burkwood treats adult men and women with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from multiple physical, emotional, environmental, and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published on July 28, 2016
Reviewed and Updated by Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 4, 2021
Published on AddictionHope.com