Risk Factors

  • According to research, the risk for substance use and other adverse behaviors rises as the number of risk factors increase. Risk factors that occur during early childhood may further increase the risk for youth substance use. Prolonged exposure to risk factors that continue from childhood through adolescence, are also associated with an increased likelihood of youth substance use. Some examples of risk factors frequently associated with substance use are as follows:

    • Early aggressive behaviors
    • Lack of parental supervision
    • Academic problems
    • Undiagnosed mental health problems
    • Parental or peer substance use
    • Poverty
    • Peer rejection
    • Child abuse or neglect

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