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The Institute for Behavior and Health is reframing the goal of substance use prevention as One Choice: no use of any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or other drugs by youth under age 21 for reasons of health.

The One Choice Message is based on 3 key facts:

 

The brain isn’t fully developed until the mid 20s.

Image adapted from Gogtay, N., et al., 2004

 

 

Using any one substance (alcohol, nicotine, marijuana) significantly increases the likelihood of using the other two and other drugs.

 

 

A growing percentage of teens are not using any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or other drugs.

 

THE ONE CHOICE MERCH STORE IS OPEN!

Support the Institute for Behavior and Health and its One Choice Prevention initiative today with One Choice swag, available in an array of styles and colors:


Podcasts Featuring One Choice

Pathways 2 Prevention Podcast: Youth Drug Use is Not Inevitable

Hear from IBH President Robert L. DuPont, MD and Vice President Caroline DuPont, MD: Teens and the adults that care about them need to know that the One Choice of no use of any alcohol, nicotine, marijuana or other drugs is a realistic goal and that many teens are already making that choice.

Mid-America PTTC Podcast: “The Importance of prolonging the first drink" — A Conversation with Caroline DuPont, MD

IBH Vice President Caroline DuPont, MD talks with Steve Miller about her clinical experiences treating patients with substance use disorder and the importance of youth substance use prevention.

SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You. campaign podcast, “What Parents are Saying — Prevention Wisdom, Authenticity, and Empowerment”

In this “back to school” episode, IBH team members encourage parents to start talking with their kids early and often about substance use and actively support youth to make One Choice for their health.

“Prevention Leaders” Podcast with Dave Closson

With Caroline DuPont, MD, Vice President of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. and Nancy Pasquale, Co-founder and Coalition Coordinator of Rye Action for Children and Teens (RyeACT).

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Reducing Adult Addiction Must Begin with Youth Prevention

The United States is confronting a public health crisis of substance use disorders and overdose deaths while at the same time facing a growing commercialized for-profit marijuana industry and vaping as a new nicotine and marijuana delivery system. Now more than ever we must — as individuals and as a nation — renew our efforts to improve prevention with a specific focus on youth.

Most addiction is rooted in the teenage years: 9 in 10 or 90% of all adults with substance use disorders began using one or more drugs like alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana before the age of 18. A key reason for this is the unique vulnerability of the still-developing teen brain to substance use. The earlier substance use is initiated, the more likely an individual is to develop a substance use disorder. And if teens use one substance, they are far more likely to use others as well.

Promoting and encouraging the One Choice Message of preventing and delaying all adolescent substance use - can have a direct impact over time on the number of adults who develop a substance use disorder.

Read the IBH Commentary outlining the One Choice message.


 
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One Choice is an initiative of the Institute for Behavior and Health. Consider making a tax-deductible donation today to support our efforts to prevent teen substance use and reduce the prevalence of addiction.

 

One ChoiceTM is a message of hope and science. You are free to share the message and supporting data and adapt the material to your or your organization's needs in order to promote youth prevention and reduce substance use disorders. Read our full Terms of Use.

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