. Consider each of these and how you might use them in your own clinical practice. Are these feasible for someone who is already predisposed for a substance use disorder?
Then, review these again through a multicultural lens. What tools do people need in order to be successful with this list and who is most likely to have these tools?
In addition to programs aimed at preventing addiction, there are some helpful ideas for individuals wanting to avoid addiction in their own lives. Although there is no guarantee, these ideas are worth considering:
Resolve past hurts and trauma with help from a counselor or psychologist. Early childhood trauma is associated with addictions. Presumably, the earlier one works through these hurts and traumas, the likelihood of addiction should diminish.
Seek counseling if impulsivity, poor self-control, or poor emotional regulation are issues. These are also associated with a higher likelihood of developing an addiction.
Surround yourself with supportive individuals. This may be especially true for those who are marginalized (e.g., LGBTQ individuals, non-White individuals).
Develop strong bonds with family, at school, at church, and with others who do not condone drug use. Similar to point 3, supportive individuals create a supportive community. If your parents are not supportive, finding a “parent surrogate” as a positive parental figure in your life is considered very helpful (Stevens, 2013, p. 252). Having positive connections to adults and elders is helpful for Alaskan native youth (Philip, Ford, Henry, Rasmus, & Allen, 2016).
Pick friends wisely. It will be harder to avoid using drugs if your friends use them regularly.
Delay use of legal drugs. Those who begin smoking or drinking early are more likely to develop addiction issues.
Monitor your use of legal drugs. Avoid drinking excessive quantities of alcohol, especially repeatedly, and if you smoke only allow yourself a few cigarettes a day.
Avoid the use of illegal drugs. Illegal drugs are illegal for a reason! Particularly avoid using nonprescribed opioids, nonprescribed stimulants (including nicotine products), and nonprescribed depressants. Each of these drug classes has high dependency potential.
Become informed regarding the consequences of drug use. Education is your weapon in avoiding or reducing drug use.
Participate in community anti-drug programs. In this way, you become part of the solution instead of the problem.
Learn effective refusal skills. The ability to refuse alcohol and other drugs is predictive of lower alcohol use among college students (Stevens, Littlefield, Blanchard, Talley, & Brown, 2016).
Avoid prescription opioid use wherever possible. This class of drugs is highly addictive and should be avoided wherever possible (Beauchamp, Winstanley, Ryan, & Lyons, 2014).
