Preventing Substance Use Disorders in Community Members and Their Families

Published Spring 2019, Version 1.0

(Download a .pdf of this article at the bottom of the webpage)

The Issue

There is an abundance of research that has found that peoples’ early experiences in their lives influence their future decisions (NIDA, 2018). All people present with protective and risk factors that begins at birth. Furthermore, these factors can be derived from genetic influences and environmental influences. Prevention begins with being aware of these factors that influence individuals’ risk levels of Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Prevention of SUD in community members and their families involve evidence-based practices that provide a variety of benefits. 

Why is Prevention Important?

Figure 1. Retrieved from https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/2017/sep/focus-expanding-access-addiction-treatment-through-primary

According to SAMHSA (2018) there was an estimated 22.5 million Americans ages 12 and over who self-reported that they needed treatment for alcohol and/or drug use in 2014. Substance Use Disorder involves significant costs to the families, employers, and the economy. Furthermore, SUD can lead to other major chronic health diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. SAMSHA(2018) notably stated, “By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major cause of disability worldwide.”

Prevention serves a crucial role in regards to substance use disorders in members and their families. Specifically, research has found a significant relationship between children who have parents diagnosed with SUD having an increased risk of developing a SUD (Lander, Howsare, & Byrne, 2013). Additionally, individuals who use drugs often began using during their adolescence (NIDA, 2018).

Preventing Substance Use Disorders

Research related to evidence-based prevention for SUD is readily available. The Surgeon General (2016) defined five findings related to preventing substance use disorders, which included:

1. Both substance misuse and substance use disorders harm the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Addressing them requires the implementation of effective strategies.
2. Highly effective community-based prevention programs and policies exist and should be widely implemented.
3. Full integration of the continuum of services for substance use disorders with the rest of health care could significantly improve the quality, effectiveness, and safety of all health care.
4. Coordination and implementation of recent health reform and parity laws will help ensure increased access to services for people with substance use disorders.
5. A large body of research has clarified the biological, psychological, and social underpinnings of substance misuse and related disorders and described effective prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Future research is needed to guide the new public health approach to substance misuse and substance use disorders.

The family plays a key role in the prevention of SUD. Lander et al. (2013) stated, “Treating the individual without family involvement may limit the effectiveness of treatment for two main reasons: it ignores the devastating impact of SUD’s on the family system leaving family members untreated and it does not recognize the family as a potential system of support for change” (p. 195). By engaging in prevention, there is a collaborative approach that has proven to be effective in being proactive versus reactive to substance use in individuals.

As a statewide agency, The North Carolina Training and Technical Assistance (NCTTA) Center provides workforce development, training, and technical assistance opportunities to substance abuse prevention stakeholders.   Funding for the NCTTA is provided by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services with funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  To learn more visit ncpreventiontta.org

References

Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of Substance Use Disorders on families and children: From theory to practice. Journal of Social Work Public Health, 28, 194-205.

NIDA. (2016, March 9). Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-substance-abuse-prevention-early-childhood on 2018, December 17

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Surgeon General’s 2016 Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. Retrieved from https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/surgeon-generals-report.pdf.