Implications for Early Intervention from a Biopsychosocial Perspective on Addiction

Abstract

Problems associated with alcohol consumption among young people are reviewed from an integrated biopsychosocial model. It is argued that young people drink differently from older people, and that traditional models of addiction and treatment work better with older populations than with younger ones. Social, psychological and biological factors associated with development and remission of young people's drinking are reviewed. Suggestions for approaches to early interventions are developed.