Patterns of drug /alcohol use in young people
We have adapted a very common model (source unknown) to explain the various patterns of use for a wide range of substances. This model is particularly suitable for working with young people.
(Mosley and Smith 2002)
Experimental substance use
Initial drug or alcohol use to 'see what it is like' or to gain a new experience.
Recreational substance use
Drug and / or alcohol use in social or recreational settings. It may denote a pattern of use but is one which is not obviously continuously problematic or harmful.
Problematic substance use
Each balloon can inflate and deflate, particularly the problematic substance use balloon. Like a balloon it can also float around. The image depicts the light blue problematic substance use balloon over much of the yellow dependent balloon. This would tend to be the case in reality, but not every young person with dependent drug use would necessarily have problematic drug use. However, this would tend to be the case.
The original adult model can be seen below:
