What INCREASES the Risk?

• Early age of first use
• Feeling unloved by family, low mutual attachment by parents, ineffective parenting
• Chaotic home environment
• Poor social coping skills
• Perceived external approval of drug use (peers, family, community)
• Affiliation with deviant peers
• Working at a job or having above-average disposable income
• Past or current drug or alcohol problems within the family
• Past or current family emotional or physical abuse, neglect, or mental health issues (especially depression)
• Past or current sexual abuse
• Diagnosis of Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder  (ADHD,ADD)

KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY of mental health issues.  Depression, anxiety, addictive and compulsive behavior can have genetic components.