Struggling with Substance Use: Supporting Students’ Social Emotional Learning

Adolescent substance use is a serious-and potentially deadly-problem with many repercussions for the adolescent, the family, and society at large. It is also an issue that too few education professionals feel prepared to address even as they see it playing out in their schools and classrooms. Struggling with Substance Use: Supporting Students’ Social Emotional Learning presents evidence on the magnitude of the problem and the many underlying factors and commonly co-occurring disorders associated with student substance use. It covers the risk factors for adolescent substance use (e.g., trauma, ADHD, peer pressure, and family dysfunction) and contrasts each with specific protective factors that education professionals need to consider when designing schoolwide programs and classroom initiatives. Each chapter concludes with an example of an evidence-based program that has made a difference for students and families. Armed with knowledge, understanding, and examples of proven programs, school professionals can incorporate the necessary protective factors to provide hope and help for struggling students and their families.