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. 2023 Jul;24(5):863-875.
doi: 10.1007/s11121-023-01549-7. Epub 2023 Jun 3.

A Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model for Preventing High-Risk Substance Use Across the Lifespan

Rita E Dykstra  1 , Blair Beadnell  2 , David B Rosengren  3 , Julie A Schumacher  4 , Raymond Daugherty  3
Affiliations

A Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model for Preventing High-Risk Substance Use Across the Lifespan

Rita E Dykstra et al. Prev Sci. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

While effective models of alcohol and drug prevention exist, they often focus solely on youth or young adults. This article describes the Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model (LRRM), an approach applicable across the lifespan. The intent behind the LRRM is to guide the development of prevention and treatment programs provided to individuals and small groups. The LRRM authors' goals are to help individuals reduce risk for impairment, addiction, and substance use's negative consequences. The LRRM identifies six key principles that conceptualize the development of substance-related problems by drawing parallels with health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, which often result from combined effects of biological risk and behavioral choices. The model also proposes five conditions that describe important steps for individuals as they progress toward greater perception of risk and lower risk behavior. One LRRM-based indicated prevention program (Prime For Life) shows positive results in cognitive outcomes and in impaired driving recidivism for people across the lifespan. The model emphasizes common elements across the lifespan, responds to contexts and challenges that change across the life course, complements other models, and is usable for universal, selective, and indicated prevention programs.

Keywords: Abuse; Addiction; Aging; Alcohol; Drug; Intervention; Lifespan; Prevention; Risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

This manuscript was prepared by Prevention Research Institute™ (PRI), a private nonprofit organization that develops and sells preventive substance misuse interventions including the Prime For Life® program described in the article. Authors Dykstra, Daugherty, and Rosengren are PRI employees, and Beadnell is a PRI board member and contributor.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of the Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model’s five conditions
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Substance use as an example showing the development and progression of lifestyle-related problems, relevant choices at each phase, and associated prevention intervention levels
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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