How Do You Determine Risk Factors For Teen Substance Abuse?
As a society, it is evident what the effects of teen substance abuse can have on families and communities. Early intervention and programs aimed at preventing teens from drinking alcohol and doing drugs to begin with are essential to reduce the incidence of teen substance abuse. However, the effectiveness of prevention lies heavily in the ability to screen and determine the risk factors for teen substance abuse. Step 1 Look for a genetic predisposition with regards to substance abuse. When there is a family history of substance abuse, it can genetically predispose a teen to abusing drugs and alcohol themselves, especially when the environment they live in also reflects the acceptability of drug and alcohol use. Step 2 Be on the lookout for untreated mental illnesses and medical conditions. Sometimes teens that have untreated mental illnesses and conditions will seek to numb and self-treat by using alcohol and drugs. Mental illnesses often go hand-in-hand with compulsive addictions to s
