Intervening in adolescent substance abuse

Substance use and abuse is a major public health problem that affects adolescents of both genders and of every socioeconomic level. Because of the nature of the nursing profession, nurses are often trusted with confidential queries from family members and friends and clients concerned about substance use by teenagers they know and love. The purpose of this article is to provide nurses information and strategies for helping adolescents and their families with this problem. Specifically, this article includes information about current trends in teenage substance use and abuse, risk factors that influence use and abuse, and strategies for prevention, identification, and treatment.