Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention

A person's life can be destroyed through the use of mind-altering substances. The media is replete with examples of men and women--as well as young people--from all walks of life who suffer the grim consequences of substance abuse and addiction. Therefore, substance abuse prevention, and intervention when necessary, are crucial to maintaining or restoring a person's health and wellness.

Comprehensive Support Services

• The most effective type of substance abuse prevention is a program that takes a comprehensive approach, according to "Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice."

  The abuse of or addiction to mind-altering substances oftentimes is the result of a number of factors, including emotional and mental health issues and perhaps even a genetic predisposition. Therefore, a prevention strategy that takes into account these variables is likely to be most effective.

Tough Love

• Friends and family members of a person suffering from substance abuse or addiction need to exercise what commonly is known as "tough love." For example, if the individual dealing with a substance abuse issue requests money, the best course is to deny that individual financial assistance. The bottom line is that you must not do anything that will enable this individual the ability to further her use of mind altering substances.

Professional Intervention

• The media, television and films oftentimes present so-called examples of interventions. Although an intervention is a helpful plan of action to aid a person suffering from a substance abuse problem, the intervention itself must be undertaken properly. Merely witnessing an intervention of the kind seen on the small and silver screen simply is not enough to provide the resources necessary to undertake an intervention in real life.

  There are professionals who provide assistance to people who desire to conduct an intervention. Although these professionals charge a fee for this service, having this type of assistance better ensures a successful intervention, which makes the charge a worthy investment.

  A local community mental health center likely provides professional intervention assistance. These centers typically charge a sliding scale fee based on income considerations.