Preventing adolescent substance use disorder: a systematic review of community-based practices and social work implications

ABSTRACT

Background

Studies on substance use among adolescents have increased in social work literature. However, preventive interventions in this area are not well documented.

Methods

The present article systematically reviews 17 studies conducted between January 2000 and May 2023 on community-based interventions to prevent substance use disorders among adolescents. All the studied samples were under 18 and mostly between 10 to 14 years old.

Results

Most of the interventions were at school and home and were done simultaneously with parents and teenagers. Fourteen studies showed the effectiveness of the programs.

Conclusion

Overall, studies recommended developing community-based practices considering various populations, such as immigrant adolescents, to prevent adolescent substance use.

KEYWORDS:

• Substance use
• community based practices
• social work intervention
• social work implications

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).