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Psychoactive Substances and Addiction

• Reference Study
• Conrod, P., Stewart, S. H., Seguin, J., Pihl, R., Masse, B., Spinney, S., & Lynch, S. (2025). Five-Year Outcomes of a School-Based Personality-Focused Prevention Program on Adolescent Substance Use Disorder: A Cluster Randomized Trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 182(5), 473–482. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20240042
• Why it matters
  Adolescent addiction remains a major public health issue in Canada, affecting approximately 9% of youth each year. This study demonstrates that early, personality-targeted prevention can significantly reduce this risk.
• Approach
  The study was conducted in 31 schools across the Montréal region using the PreVenture program, which tailors its tools to four personality traits associated with vulnerability: impulsivity, sensation-seeking, anxiety sensitivity, and hopelessness.
• Prevention in action
  Just two interactive sessions are enough to help students better manage their emotions and behaviors, thereby reducing their likelihood of using substances as a coping strategy.
• Results
  Over five years, the program reduced the progression of substance use disorders by 35% compared to control schools.
• Key takeaway
  By the end of high school, students who participated in the program had a significantly lower risk of developing an addiction.