Proactive psychiatry in addiction

Most substance use disorders (SUD) emerge in adolescence and early adulthood. Early interventions in young people may reduce the risk and severity of SUD and other psychiatric disorders. AIM: To provide suggestions for proactive psychiatry in addiction. METHOD: Literature review. RESULTS: Comorbidity, cumulative risks and self-regulation skills each play an important role in proactive psychiatry. Early universal prevention and intervention targeted at improving self-regulation reduces the risk of a broad array of psychiatric and social problems, including addiction. CONCLUSION: In terms of broad prevention, much can be gained by widespread, consistent implementation and normalization of universal prevention at the pre- and elementary school level. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 63(2021)2, 125-128.