Often when faced with drug and alcohol problems, the community and treatment providers focus specifically on aspects of the individual. However, we know that when the focus is placed solely on the individual, most attempts at solving the problem will be ineffective. Advertising that aims at encouraging young people to "Just say 'No' to Drugs" ignores the fact that young people do not live in a vacuum. They, like all of us, decide to use substances in a particular context and any attempt to assist people to address their AOD use requires incorporation of all these contexts. What we tell them about likely effects of any particular substance may be negated by their own experience or that of their peers.
The effect and impact of any young person's substance use tends to be the result of three interacting factors:
- the properties of the substance used
- the attributes/attitude of the person using
- the environment in which they use
This model is known as Zinberg's Model of Dependence (Zinberg, 1984). Interventions need to consider each of these factors and how they interact.
Diagram 1: The effect and context of substance use.
Person
Some of the aspects of the person that can affect substance use and its consequences are:
- Health
- Nutrition
- Other substances used by the person
- Levels of support
- Expectations
For example, we may have three people of the same gender, same age, and drinking the same substance in the same establishment, yet all three may react in a very different way.
- Person 1 may be having a great time, laughing and singing.
- Person 2 may be crying in the corner, feeling depressed about his life.
- Person 3 may be aggressive and fighting others for whatever reason.
As you can see, three people are responding in quite different ways to the same substance in the same environment.
Are there any other characteristics of the young person that might affect the use and consequences of use in your area?
Substance
Some of the aspects of the substance that can affect the use and consequences of substance use include:
- Type of substance(s) used:
* pharmacological properties
* social influence - Immediate and longer term effects
- Strength and purity of the substance
- The presence of any impurities
- Route of administration
- Concurrent use of other substances
Route of Administration
The route of administration refers to the way in which a substance is taken. Substances can be used in numerous ways.
For each of these different routes what substances might be used that way?
Chewed:
Dissolved slowly in the mouth:
Smoked:
Swallowed:
Inhaled through the mouth or nose:
Injected under the skin, or into a vein or muscle:
Rubbed into the skin:
Placed inside the anus or vagina or under the eyelid:
Why do you think young people decide to use particular routes of administration?
The reasons can be many; however, the main ones are:
- to use the substance as efficiently as possible
- peer group association
- to maximise the effect of the substance being taken.
Environment 
Some environmental aspects that can affect the consequences of substance use:
- Mood of the occasion
- The physical environment
- The expectations of the group
- Social climate
- Location
- The presence or absence of others.
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Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
