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    • AOD and mental health in young people

    A resource package for General Practitioners

    Resource: AOD, Mental Health & Young People - Resource package for GPs

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    Resource: Supporting poster for General Practitioners' offices

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    This resource is a ‘snapshot’ of evidence-based information for general practitioners.

    It covers:

    • having age-appropriate and non-stigmatising conversations about alcohol and other drugs (AOD) with young people and/or their parents/carers
    • understanding the function of AOD use in young people
    • recognising when a young person might have co-occurring mental health and AOD needs
    • what AOD-specific and dual diagnosis services are available for young people
    • resource options for young people/parents and carers who are seeking more information about AOD.
    This work was developed in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners Victoria with funding from the Victorian Department of Health. Therefore, some information may not be relevant to other states/territories.

    AOD use in young people

    Experimenting with, and using, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can be part of life for many young people (12-25 years).

    And, just like adults there’s many reasons why young people use AOD...

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    Supporting young people

    When young people feel safe to chat with GPs and other health professionals about their AOD use, it can help them minimise harm and get the right kind of support, if needed. This isn’t always easy, but here are some things that can help...

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    Youth AOD services

    There are many different types of AOD support options for young people.

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    1. Lancaster K, Ritter A, Matthew-Simmons F. Young people's opinions on alcohol and other drugs issues 2013 [06.04.2023].
    2. Sanci L, Webb M, Hocking J. Risk-taking behaviour in adolescents. Australian Journal for General Practitioners [Internet]. 2018 [06.04.2023]; 47:[829-34 pp.].
    3. Crane P, Buckley J, Francis C. Youth alcohol and drug good practice guide 1: A framework for youth alcohol and other drug practice. Brisbane: Dovetail; 2012 [06.04.2023].
    4. Currie C, Zanotti C, Morgan A, Currie D, De Looze M, Roberts C, et al. Social determinants of health and well-being among young people: Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: international report from the 2009/2010 survey, 2012 [cited [06.04.2023]:[271 p.].
    5. Stone AL, Becker LG, Huber AM, Catalano RF.Review of risk and protective factors of substance use and problem use in emerging adulthood. Addictive Behaviors [Internet]. 2012 [06.04.2023]; 37(7):[747-75 pp.].
    6. Tsantefski M, Gruenert S, Campbell L. Working with substance-affected parents and their children : a guide for human service workers. [S.l.]: Routledge; 2020 [06.04.2023].
    7. National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Why do adolescents take drugs? 2014 [11.04.2023].
    8. Crane P, Francis C, Buckley J. Youth alcohol and drug practice guide 3: Practice strategies and interventions [Dovetail Good Practice Guides]: Dovetail; 2013 [06.04.2023].
    9. Black Dog Institute. Depression in adolescents and young people: Black Dog Institute; 2020 [11.04.2023].
    10. Boys A, Marsden J, Strang J. Understanding reasons for drug use amongst young people: a functional perspective. Health Education Research [Internet]. 2001 [06.04.2023]; 16(4):[457-69 pp.].
    11. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019, Canberra: AIHW; 2020 [11.04.2023].
    12. Reardon T, Harvey K, Baranowska M, O’Brien D, Smith L, Creswell C. What do parents perceive are the barriers and facilitators to accessing psychological treatment for mental health problems in children and adolescents? A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry [Internet]. 2017 [11.04.2023]; 26(6):[623-47 pp.].
    13. Salaheddin K, Mason B.Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey. Br J Gen Pract [Internet]. 2016 Oct [11.04.2023]; 66(651):[e686-92 pp.].
    14. Aguirre Velasco A, Cruz ISS, Billings J, Jimenez M, Rowe S. What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry [Internet]. 2020 [11.04.2023]; 20(1):[293 p.].
    15. Department of Health. National Drug Strategy 2017-2026 Canberra: Department of Health; 2017 [[11.04.2023].
    16. The Centre for Youth AOD Practice Development. Youth AOD Toolbox - Interventions with young people in the 'pre-contemplation' stage [11.04.2023].
    17. Chi FW, Sterling S, Weisner C. Adolescents with Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Conditions in a Private Managed Care Health Plan: Prevalence, Patient Characteristics and Treatment Initiation and Engagement. The American Journal on Addictions [Internet]. 2006 [11.04.2023]; 15(s1):[s67-s79 pp.].
    18. Alcohol and Drug Foundation. The Power of Words: Having alcohol and other drug conversations: A practical guide: Alcohol and Drug Foundation; 2019 [11.04.2023].
    19. Victoria State Government.Information for Parents and Carers: Doctors in Secondary Schools 2017 [01.02.2023].
    Read more evidence articles on this topic in the ADF Library

    Last updated: 26 May 2023