Preventing Substance Abuse Among Children And Adolescents

Abstract: The object of this book is to provide practitioners with a developmental framework for a better understanding of the factors contributing to substance abuse, and to critique the campaigns, curricula, and related efforts designed to prevent substa nce abuse among children and adolscents. This information is provided to meet the growing demand for consultation and assistance in the field of substance abuse prevention. Topics include: the prevalence and consequences of drug use and abuse among youth; major theories explaining and predicting substance abuse; existing prevention strategies; identification and treatment of at-risk youth; translating theories and strategies into effective action; and, future trends in substance abuse prevention.

One of the goals of the Nat. Institute on Drug Abuse is to help the public understand the causes of drug abuse and to prevent its onset. This is a summary of topics covered in the newest ed. of the guide, "Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents", which includes updated principles, new questions and answers, new program information, and expanded references and resources. This In Brief edition summarizes sections of the guide for community use. Chapters: Prevention Principles; Risk Factors and Protective Factors; Planning for Drug Abuse Prevention in the Community; Applying Prevention Principles to Drug Abuse Prevention Programs; Examples of Research-Based Drug Abuse Prevention Programs; and Selected Resources and References.

The second edition of this book incorporates the latest theory, research, and best practices for understanding, treating, and preventing substance abuse among adolescents. It updates the progress made in treatments for and prevention of the misuse of substances and adds new specific chapters on prescriptions, opiates, and methamphetamine abuse. The book discusses the effects of commonly abused substances, from tobacco and alcohol to stimulants and opioids, on the human brain and the various psychosocial routes to their misuse by adolescents. Chapters provide evidence-based guidelines for assessing adolescent treatment needs and review psychological, pharmacological, family, and self-help interventions. The book offers new paths in diverse directions, analyzes the core components of substance use prevention, critiques emerging school-based interventions, and introduces a nuanced reconceptualization of recovery. Topics featured in the book include: The effect of family and caregiver situations on adolescent substance abuse. A biological/genetic perspective on adolescent substance abuse. School-based preventions and the evolution of evidence-based strategies. The role of adolescent self-help in substance abuse interventions. Community-based interventions to reduce alcohol use and misuse. Adolescent Substance Abuse, Second Edition, is a must-have reference for researchers, clinicians/practitioners, and graduate students in the fields of child and school psychology, social work, public health, developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, and various interrelated mental health and social policy arenas.