PREVENTION

HOW TO HELP PREVENT SUD

Addiction may have a genetic component, but it is also a preventable and treatable disease. Early intervention and prevention programs can help mitigate the risk of addiction in young people. (1)

 

The following methods may be helpful at reducing and/or preventing substance use, especially in younger people. There are six strategies for primary prevention activities, according to SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention: (2)

  • Information dissemination: provides awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of drug misuse and its effects.

 

  • Education: communicates to improve the life and social skills of participants. This is different from information dissemination because the teacher and participants interact with each other.

 

  • Alternatives: provides activities that don’t include drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, in hopes that participants will have their needs met without resorting to drugs.

 

  • Environmental: establishes or changes community standards, codes, and attitudes to influence the misuse of drugs in a community.

 

  • Community-based process: enhances the ability of the community to provide prevention and treatment services.

 

  • Problem identification and referral: identifies people who have initiated drug misuse to assess if their behavior can be changed through education. As a prevention activity, this does not refer people to treatment but provides intervention before treatment is needed.

LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES

SHARE FACTS

Download and share

 

Support the Share Facts Save Lives campaign with shareable content. These materials can be used to educate and create a path towards recovery.

STATEWIDE SERVICES

Treatment and recovery support

 

Access to mapping tools related to SUD treatment, such as residential treatment facilities, withdrawal resources, recovery residence options, and more.

OPTIONS MAINE

Know your options

 

OPTIONS Maine liaisons  serve as a judgment-free point of contact who will meet people where they are in terms of their substance use.

2-1-1 Maine

Services directory

 

2-1-1 is a free, confidential information and referral service based in Maine available 24/7 that connects people of all ages to local services.