Stopping substance use disorder before it begins has been a long-standing goal of public health and prevention efforts. This article discusses the “how” and “why” of substance misuse, which is necessary to know in order to develop effective interventions. Also examined is the relationship between opioids being in the home of adolescents younger than 15 and how this correlates to developing opioid use disorder in later years.

Key adolescent risk factors shown to be predictors of later opioid dependence include the following:

• Health practices of parents, specifically the presence of opioids in the home medicine cabinet at 14 years old
• Health beliefs of adolescents, in particular, having a belief that there is a “pill for everything”
• Health behaviors of adolescents – using alcohol before 15 years

Study results such as these are vital to support and design effective interventions to help prevent the development of opioid use disorder. Providing mechanisms for safe disposal and safe storage of prescription opioids are key components of impactful and effective prevention programs. In keeping with previous research, this study demonstrates that the risk of developing future substance use disorders can be minimized through prevention efforts at the family and school levels and through appropriate interventions.