This article reports that the estimated annual economic impact of alcohol misuse is $249 billion and $193 billion for illicit drug use. Substance misuse affects all ages, in fact 24.5% of adults over the age of 26 reported binge drinking in the past month. As well as a 107% increase in alcohol use disorder in American adults ages 65 and up. This study explores the idea of presenting a Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model (LRRM) that can address alcohol and drug use prevention across a lifespan and its related outcomes.
The idea of a lifespan approach emphasizes life choices and how things such as social networks and workplaces affect someone. This approach consists of 6 principles and 5 conditions. Principle 1 states that everyone has biological and genetic factors that can make them vulnerable to substance use. Principle 2 lifestyle choices also create risk, principle 3 is each person’s biological risk determines the quantity and frequency of substance use that is high risk. Principle 4, a problem occurs when a person’s choices about quantity meet a trigger point set by their biology. Principle 5 Social and Psychological factors play a big role in substance use. Lastly, Principle 6, the onset of lifestyle-related Health problems is usually gradual.
This paper focuses on the strengths of LRRM and how it can be used to complement other models. Although this article does a good job of explaining LRRM and how it could be very beneficial, it is a theoretical approach and thus does not perform any statistical analyses. Much more research is needed to test the effects of LRRM. Further research could help determine if LRRMs are useful and could help the intervention and prevention space and expand the current formulation.
Takeaway: Substance misuse is something that effects all ages and an approach to intervention and prevention that looks at lifespan such as Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model could be extremely helpful.