ThemesRisk Behaviour and Dependency

Themes

The programme has four specified themes. A common strand running through the research is life course - the distinguishable stages in human lives at which external factors manifest themselves differently as they interact with an individual’s genetic make-up. The particular focus is childhood and youth.

The four central themes are

• Factors that influence the onset of risk behaviour and substance dependency, particularly at a young age
• Factors that influence the course and chronicity of risk behaviour and substance dependency
• The nature, severity and scale of problems associated with substance use, polydrug use and dependency
• Effectiveness of interventions