Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: An Introduction

Abstract

One of the major challenges that young people face is the risk of initiating substance use, which is especially high at this age. It is a vital area of study because if we can effectively intervene early, we will prevent chronicity as well as the potential development of other mental disorders and even premature death, with its impact on families and community. It is vital because an understanding of the mechanism of development in young people may provide pointers to understanding the nature of addiction. Promising interventions for adolescents who misuse substances have been identified and we should build on findings to date to further enhance methods to improve treatment outcome, accessibility, implementation, and relapse prevention through the integration of research findings into treatment.