Preventing Substance Use Disorder
What is Prevention?
Prevention efforts work to educate and support individuals and communities to stop, halt, or slow the use and misuse of drugs and the development of substance use disorders. Substance use and mental disorders can make daily activities difficult and impair a person’s ability to work, interact with family, and fulfill other major life functions. Mental and substance use disorders are among the top conditions that cause disability in the United States. Preventing mental and/or substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders and related problems is critical to behavioral and physical health.
Prevention and Genetics:
It's Not Your Fault
According to the Addiction Policy Forum, Genetics account for about half of a person’s likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. This video explores and explains the role that genetics play in the likelihood experiencing substance use disorder.
Prevention & Community
Communities play a key role in protecting adolescents from early substance use. Prevention efforts can be implemented by building coalitions and comprehensive strategies to reduce risk factors for substance use and addiction.
All videos were created by the Addiction Policy Forum.
Please visit Addiction Policy Forum for additional resources and information.
Eight Prevention Principles
Principle 1:
Racial Equity
Principle 5:
Cultural Humility
Principle 2:
Trauma Informed Service Provision
Principle 6:
Restorative Justice
Principle 3:
Positive Youth Development
Principle 7:
Collective Impact
Principle 4:
Intersectionality
Principle 8:
Build and Sustain the Leadership of People of Color