POTENTIAL RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN A TEENAGER WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY: CASE DESCRIPTION
POTENTIAL RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN A TEENAGER WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY: CASE DESCRIPTION

Summary/Abstract: Among the mental health problems faced by teenagers with intellectual disabilities, substance use becomes increasingly important and interferes with educational and social adjustment, leading to higher risks for involvement with criminal justice system. The complex interplay of personal, interpersonal, familial and social risks factors faced by this population of youngsters leads to their limited opportunities, in general, as well as their limited chances to recover from mental health problems, in particular. Our investigation aims to document potential risk factors influencing vulnerability to substance use in a teenager with intellectual disability and mental health problems. Within a brief case description, we documented some risk factors that could influence substance abuse in the case of a teenager with mild intellectual disability coming from a socially deprived environment and an atypical family background. We emphasized the important role that professionals in the fields of special education, psychiatry, social work have in helping these teenagers recover and readjust to a normal life, after recovering from the use of illicit substances.

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