Indicated prevention interventions identify individuals who are experiencing early signs of substance abuse and other related problem behaviours associated with substance abuse and target them with special programs. The individuals identified at this stage, though experimenting, have not reached the point where clinical diagnosis of substance abuse can be made. Indicated prevention approaches are used for individuals who may or may not be abusing substances but who exhibit risk factors such as school failure, interpersonal social problems, delinquency, and other antisocial behaviours, and psychological problems such as depression and suicidal behaviour, which increases their chances of developing a drug abuse problem.
