Substance Abuse and Its Prevention in Adolescents

Making up 20% of the world's population, adolescents are at the highest risk group for substance abuse. Adolescents who do not fully complete their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development show various cognitive, behavioral, and psycho-social symptoms against addiction disorders and cause various problems at the individual and social levels. It is reported that prevention and early intervention programs for adolescents are the most appropriate method for solving this problem. In order for these prevention programs to be successful, it is necessary to identify the adolescents at risk and to be aware of the protective factors. Important responsibilities, therefore, fall on the governments, non-governmental organizations, teachers, families, and especially health professionals working in the field of public health and school health. In this paper, the risk factors that cause substance use in adolescents, protective factors, and prevention and prevention programs for substance addiction will be addressed. Especially the nurse, who has the opportunity to work with all members of society, has important duties. Nurses should organize prevention, early diagnosis/treatment, and rehabilitation programs for dependent children and families. In this article, the risk factors that cause substance use in adolescents, protective factors, drug addiction prevention and prevention programs, and the responsibilities of the nurse will be addressed.

Cite this article as: Özakar Akça, S. & Pınar Turan, A. (2023). Substance abuse and its prevention in adolescents. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, 10(1), 86-92.