Research focuses on prevention strategies for substance use disorders

Washington DC: There are well-documented risk factors associated with the development of drug use disorders across all age groups. In a recent study by IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue Indianapolis), these risk factors had different effects on age groups, and key preventive strategies for individualized drug use disorders in people within defined age groups. I am proposing.

The study proposes key prevention strategies for drug use disorders (SUDs) that are individualized for people within defined age groups. This approach contrasts with current strategies that target individual substances that are being abused within a particular community or population.

Eric Afuseh, a clinical assistant professor at the IUPUI School of Nursing, said: “Current prevention approaches do not take into account the fact that what causes a substance use disorder in a child differs from what causes an adult or elderly person to abuse the same substance.”

Published in Therapeutic, Prevention, and Policy for Substance Abuse, this study examined more than 300 documents published between 1989 and 2019 to identify drug use disorders in children, young adults, adults, and the elderly. Identified risk factors. Researchers analyzed similarities and differences in risk factors across life stages, and risk factors for developing SUD across all age groups included adverse childhood events, trauma, chronic health disorders, environmental factors, and family members. It was found to include history, social determinants, and grief and loss.

However, despite similarities, the contextual factors and life challenges associated with these risks varied by life stage.

For children under the age of 18, risk factors were found to include adverse childhood experiences and trauma, peer pressure, participation in organized athletics, and family history of misuse. Increased adulthood stress, potential family history, lack of parental role models, lack of employment, and academic stress in young adults aged 18 to 25, with or without childhood risk factors Was added to the risk factors.

According to this study, the main risk factors for adults aged 26 to 64 are associated with family life and career. Various careers associated with adult drug use disorders include high-stress jobs and heavy physical jobs such as medical, military, and legal. Adults aged 65 and over have similar risk factors to the younger group, but with a unique age, such as increased frequency of chronic grief and loss due to death of family and friends, and increased tendency to chronic physical illness. There are also associated risk factors. It is more likely to misuse substances to relieve pain, such as arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.

To create effective precautions, the Afuseh team proposes screenings based on the risk factors identified in each age group. The screening results can be used to customize educational and empowerment interventions such as mentoring, social media, targeted communication, and work-oriented information.

The age-based approach not only allows for personalized preventative measures, but also removes some of the burden on health care workers, as anyone, including parents, educators, and employers can start it.

“Federal, state, and local agencies have resources and processes in place to address drug use disorders at successive levels of a range of illnesses,” said Afüche. “But these strategies tend to address specific substances at the population level. To be really effective, the unique development factors and life stressors of different age groups, the potential for multiple substances at once, Misuse, and multiple factors should be considered risk factors for developing substance use disorders.”

Afuseh proposes age-related screening, education and empowerment as a framework for primary prevention of SUD. Researchers work on the design and testing of screening tools that can be administered to individuals of different ages, with recommended strategies for addressing each screening outcome.

Caitlin Pike and Ukamaka Oruche of the Faculty of Nursing IUPUI co-authored this study.