Epidemiology Epidemiology is a scientific and systematic study of the frequency, patterns, causes, and risk factors of health-related conditions and events in specific populations. The application of this data is used in planning and evaluatung strategies for prevention and as a guide for the treatment of patients in whom the disease has already developed.

Etiological Model This model describes the micro-settings (family, peers, school, religious organisations, workplace) and macro-settings (community, environment, state, media) that influence individuals during their development from childhood to adulthood. In Interaction with personal characteristics, these factors make individuals more or less exposed to the risk of using psychoactive substances and engaging in other problematic behaviors.

Grassroots work Work carried out by organisations or initiatives within the local community, in close contact with interested parties; direct work on a specific problem.

Indicated prevention Measures targeted at individuals who exhibit risky behaviors, but do not (yet) meet the diagnostic criteria for addiction.

Mentorship A relationship of personal development in which a more experienced or educated person helps guide a less experienced or less educated person. A mentor can be older or younger, but has expertise in a particular area.

Informal education The acquisition of practical knowledge and skills outside the formal education system. It complements basic knowledge through activities such as courses, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, trainings, volunteering.

Addiction A biological, psychological and social phenomena (different definitions provide different importance to each of these segments) of compulsive and excessive use of psychoactive substances or risky behaviors despite harmful consequences and dominance of the substance or behavior over other aspects of life.

Pathogenesis A theory that deals with the causes, symptoms and development of diseases, focusing on health risks and diseases.

Prevalence Prevalence is the proportion of the population that has a particular characteristic within a specified time period.

Addiction prevention Addiction prevention is an active process aimed at promoting of constructive lifestyles (behavior) and norms that reduce the possibility of drug abuse, while simultaneously involving the development of a social and physical environment that facilitates the adoption of healthy lifestyles.

Psychoactive substances Substances that after taking or bringing into the body affect mental processes i.e. influencing emotions and thought process.

Resilience The process of successful adaptation to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional and behavioral flexibility and adaptation to external and internal demands. Resilience means being able to adapt to adversities and failures in life.

Risky behaviors Socially unacceptable behaviors that increase the likelihood of a negative health outcomes by not taking precautions, such as speeding, unprotected sex, gambling, etc.

Risk factor Risk factors are characteristics that, in interaction with personal vulnerability, increase the likelihood of using psychoactive substances.

Salutogenesis A theory that is preventively oriented towrads resources that contribute to the creation and maintenance of health. It teaches people to acquire habits that contribute and help health.

Selective prevention It deals with the earliest possible detection of biological, psychological and social risk factors and tries to prevent them. It is applied to healthy people, but there are risk factors in their lives whose influence can lead to the development of addiction in the future. It is applied to healthy people, but there are risk factors in their lives whose influence can lead to the development of addiction in the future.

Socialisation A lifelong process of transferring and internalizing of culturally acceptable and appropriate attitudes, norms, beliefs and behaviors.

Social inclusion Social inclusion is the process of improving conditions under which individuals and groups participate in society — improving the capabilities, possibilities, and dignity of those who are disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

Health promotionAcquiring individual knowledge, experience, skills and resources that prevent the emergence of addictive behavior, through strengthening the personality and its autonomy. Working on health improvement and well-being of individuals or communities by enabling and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, as well as addressing fundamental underlying problems such as poverty, lack of educational possibilities and other similar areas.

Universal prevention Aims to prevent the onset of addiction by improving life conditions and strengthening personality. It is focused on the entire population and strives to encourage protective factors at both the structural (politics, media campaigns, institutions, infrastructure) and individual (social learning, upbringing, sensitivity) level. Its perspective is long-term.

Evidence based A systematic process of decision-making or service delivery based on scientific evidences that confirms that these processes and services consistently improve the state towards the desired outcome. Practices that are developed on the basis of the best available research, instead of that on tradition, intuition or individual observations. When it comes specifically to preventive interventions, these include those that research confirmed to be effective in the prevention of starting to use the psychoactive substances.

Protective factor Characteristics that reduce the likelihood of using psychoactive substances.

Healthy lifestyles Activities and habits that encourage the development of complete physical, mental and spiritual fitness and reduce the risk of serious illness or premature death.

Health Condition of total body, mental and social well-being, and not only the absence of disease or weakness.