Change Takes Time: Learn, Talk, ACT Early

Behavior change doesn’t happen in one step. People and communities move through stages: becoming aware, questioning old beliefs, preparing to act, taking action, and sustaining change over time.

Substance use disorders are widespread, and the science is clear about risk, brain development, and prevention. Yet individuals, families, and communities are not receiving this information consistently or clearly enough to fully believe it, let alone apply it. Instead, outdated myths like “all kids do it” or “they’ll grow out of it” continue to shape decisions.

When concerns arise, families often reach a fork in the road: ignore the signs and hope for the best or face the facts and act early. Education, engagement, and early intervention move people forward. One of the strongest protective factors is helping youth wait, giving their brains time to develop before introducing substances that increase risk. Change may take time, but early, informed action can prevent a crisis and change outcomes. SAMHSA

Let’s Get Educated, Our Forks-in-the-Road

Action begins with understanding how and why substance use concerns develop. Our “whys” are rarely random. They are shaped by environment, family history, mental health, physical health, and what science and evidence tell us about risk and protection.

When we are not learning the science of addiction or how substance use disorders can be prevented, many people inevitably find themselves needing help later. Prevention gaps do not eliminate risk; they simply shift people downstream into crisis, treatment, or recovery.

Healthy environments matter. Family history matters. Mental and physical health matter. And yet, many individuals, families, and communities never receive this information early or often enough to act on it. Education is not about blame, it’s about clarity, context, and informed choice. When people understand risk, they gain options. When they don’t, those options narrow.

If you believe a loved one may have a substance use concern, trust your instincts and address it early. Waiting does not make problems smaller; it limits choices. If the concern involves a child or adolescent, early support to reduce or stop substance use dramatically improves long-term outcomes.

Resources for immediate support can be found in the Crisis section of this website, including connections to Family Resource Centers and professional intervention options.

The Brain Science of Substance Use Disorders

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH): Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to substances. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Basics

• News in Health, Biology of Addiction – Drugs and Alcohol can hijack your brain. The biological basis of addiction helps to explain why people need much more than good intentions or willpower to break their addictions.

• Addiction Policy Forum, what is an addiction, what are the signs and symptoms, and understanding the science.

• Monitoring the Future is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults.

What Increases Risk and What Protects

• Research shows that the risk for substance abuse and other adverse behaviors increases as the number of risk factors increases, and that protective factors may reduce the risk of youth engaging in substance use that can lead to substance abuse. This interactive effect of risk and protective factors has substantial implications for the design and implementation of successful preventive interventions. The more a program reduces risk factors and increases protective factors, the more it is likely to succeed in preventing substance abuse among children and youth.1 Learn more about critical components and principles of effective adolescent substance abuse prevention programs.

• Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Mental Health

• Substance Use in Children: Prediction, Protection, and Prevention

• Why are some people more likely to develop a substance use disorder?

Peer Influence, Perceived Norms, and Why it’s Hard to Ask for Help

Understanding peer pressure, perceptions influencing the truth, and building refusal skills.

• Drugfree.org. Teen Peer Influence: A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Friendships and Substance Use Prevention
  A practical guide specifically for parents that explains how teens are influenced by peers and what parents can do to support healthy decision-making and communication.

• SAMHSA (PDF). How to Help Kids Say No to Peer Pressure
  A free downloadable resource with tips for parents on equipping children to resist risky peer influence (practical and actionable).

• Building Refusal Skills in Youth. When discussing peer pressure, many young people defend their friends and claim that none of their peers would ever ‘pressure’ them into engaging in risky behavior. In fact, many such situations do not involve direct pressure. Social conformity is much subtler and more powerful.

• The Real Stigma of Substance Use Disorder, stigma is an attribute, behavior, or condition that is socially discredited.

• Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. There’s a lot of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding substance use disorders, treatment, and recovery. But you should never let social judgment stand in the way of getting your child the help he or she needs and deserves. Here are 9 facts to help you be better prepared to support your child.

• Broken No More was formed with the hope that more enlightened drug policies would reduce the stigma and help to stem the tide of addiction.

Brian Development. DELAY, DELAY, DELAY…it’s all about delaying substance use.

“When people start using at younger ages, the changes in brain structure and function are very, very pronounced. If we could only get kids to postpone their first drink or their first use of drugs, we could greatly diminish the prevalence of addiction in the U.S.”

• Biology of Addiction. Drugs and Alcohol can hijack your brain. People with addiction lose control over their actions. They crave and seek out drugs, alcohol, or other substances no matter what the cost—even at the risk of damaging friendships, hurting family, or losing jobs. What is it about addiction that makes people behave in such destructive ways? And why is it so hard to quit? When you’re becoming addicted to a substance, that normal hardwiring of helpful brain processes can begin to work against you. Drugs or alcohol can hijack the pleasure/reward circuits in your brain and hook you into wanting more and more.

• Know Your Neuro, Brain Development. Knowing your 'neurowhereabouts' means understanding the stages of brain development, what the brain can do in each stage, and how to grow and protect executive functioning skills. 

• Child Mind Institute. Alcohol can rewire the teenage brain; binge drinking may harm a teen’s brain now and forever. Because their brain architecture is still not fully developed, adolescents’ brains are more susceptible to being radically changed by drug use, often specifically by impeding the development of the very circuits that enable adults to say “later” or “not at all” to dangerous or unhealthy options.

• Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Brain Development, Teen Behavior, and Preventing Drug Use. There’s a reason that teenagers act the way they do. Understanding the brain science behind teenage behavior can help parents better prepare their kids to avoid drugs and alcohol.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), The Best Strategy – drugs, brain, and behavior

Have a concern or uneasy feeling because you don’t know what something is?

• Just the Facts: Identifying Drugs. Be Informed. Search for information about a drug.

• Oregon State Police, Anonymous Analysis Program. The Anonymous Analysis Program was established to assist parents/guardians who find suspected drugs in the possession of their minor children. Parents/guardians may submit suspected drugs by delivering the item(s) directly to their local OSP Forensic Lab or OSP Office.

• Parents get the facts on drug use. Find the latest science-based information about drug use, health, and the developing brain. Designed for young people and those who influence them, parents, guardians, teachers, and other educators, these resources inspire learning and encourage critical thinking so teens can make informed decisions about drug use and their health. 

• Teen Esteem, helpful handouts. Researching Culture so you don’t have to.

• Drug.com, Pill Identifier

Recognizing when help is needed and what to do.

• Child Mind Institute. As a parent, it can be difficult to know when to have “the talk” or how to step in if you’re afraid your child may have a problem.

• SAMHSA, Talk They Hear You. Some questions about alcohol can be hard to answer, so it’s important to be prepared. The following are common questions and answers about underage drinking.

• Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Answer your most pressing questions about confronting your child about his or her drinking or substance use. Find answers to the following questions – Download the ebook. I think my child may need help. If your child is using substances but isn’t ready to make a change in his or her life, there are still steps you can take to help.

• Teen Esteem, helpful handouts.

• Drug-Free Kids. Between legalization, increased normalization in pop culture, and new ways of using (edibles, vaporizers, concentrates), it’s becoming more and more complicated to know how to address marijuana use with your kids.