Introduction: Approximately 900 people die annually in Slovenia due to the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, which highlights the seriousness of the problem. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among adolescents, which is reflected in the high level of drinking and associated health problems. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to the negative impact of alcohol on their development and behaviour. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate what preventive programs and approaches exist to prevent risky and harmful drinking of alcohol in adolescents. Methods: We conducted a literature review, which included scientific literature published in English between 2014 and 2024. The review took place between May and July 2024. Results: The analysis included 16 articles published by authors from Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, The United States, Slovenia and Thailand. The topics identified are divided into health education lectures, use of digital technologies, public health approaches, family-oriented measures, peer support groups, and short and targeted interventions. Discussion and conclusion: Effective strategies include traditional health education classes that educate adolescents about the risks of alcohol use, and measures using digital technologies such as mHealth apps. Policy measures that regulate advertising and restrict the availability of alcohol are also key. Family-oriented and peer support groups provide additional support. Short-term and targeted interventions, however, are effective in environments with limited access to long-term solutions. For further research, it would be useful to examine the impact of a combination of these strategies and their long-term effect on reducing alcoholism among adolescents, as well as to explore the effectiveness of digital technologies in different environments and the role of parents and peers in support programs.
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