At Any Age, It Does Matter:
Substance Abuse and Older Adults (for Professionals)

Module 6: Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies - Page 3 of 17

Overview of Prevention

View the slide show on prevention.

Prevention is part of a continuum of care that includes intervention and treatment (see Module 7). Here is a definition of prevention:

Prevention is an anticipatory process that prepares and supports individuals and systems in creating and reinforcing healthy behaviors and lifestyles.

Prevention is a proactive process. This means that we anticipate a problem and address it before it becomes a reality. We don't wait for a problem to surface and then take action.

Ideally, health care providers incorporate prevention into regular office visits. It could be as simple as asking patients about their alcohol consumption and reviewing their medications.

Prevention also involves connecting people and resources with innovative ideas, strategies, and programs. It is important to create partnerships with all sectors of society to create a holistic prevention agenda. The goal is to promote the concept of no use of any illegal drug and no high-risk use of alcohol or other legal drugs.

The overall goal of preventing substance abuse problems can be reached by empowering individuals, families, and communities to take action. This means helping them develop problem-solving skills and the ability to manage difficult situations. It also means helping them develop skills to cope with a situation while working to develop long-term solutions.

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