Six Signposts Leading to Early Addiction

Families today are not like the 1950s

Families have changed over the years and the family structure of the 1950s is almost unrecognizable.  Today young parents live together and may or may not live with their own children.  Grandparents may live many miles or states away and have little involvement in a grandchild's life.  Changing work environments have led families to pick up and move in search of work.  Small towns seem to be dying.  The fabric of our culture is changing and families today are made up of many cultures and nationalities.

Addiction in the United States is the top health concern. Have you ever wondered if there was a way to protect a young person from becoming at risk for addiction?  The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has identified six risk factors and six protective factors that may curb early a person's drug involvement.  Here is the list:

Six Risk Factors with Protective Factors:                                                                 

1.  Risk factor:  Early Aggressive Behavior with Protective Factors:  Self Control

2.  Risk factor: Poor Social Skills  Protective Factors: Positive Relationships

3.  Risk factor: Lack of Parental Supervision  Protective Factors:  Parental Monitoring and Support

4.  Risk factor: Substance Abuse  Protective Factors:  Academic Competence

5.  Risk factor: Drug Availability  Protective Factors:  Anti-Drug Use Policies

6.  Risk factor: Poverty  Protective Factors:  Strong Neighborhood Attachment

Taken from "Drugs, Brains and Behavior - The Science of Addiction" Published by NIDA

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