Alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy, hallucinogenic substances: what are the hazards of consuming them in adolescence? Looking beyond such issues as the stigmatisation and trivialisation of drug and alcohol abuse, the author urges us to pay closer attention to young abusers. He argues that the main issue is not the substance per se, but the fact that substance abuse reveals addictive behaviour, which may or may not become permanent, depending on each individual case.

Adolescent behaviour is the crux of the problem. How and why do adolescents begin to experiment with illegal activities? What do these activities signify for them, and what do they reveal about their own life stories? When should adults become concerned? What role should parents play? What are the most effective preventive measures and treatments?

It is essential to differentiate between normal and pathological behaviour patterns of consumption, because the difference between abuse and addiction determines the establishment of the right preventive measures, both collectively and individually.

Backed by studies that allow a better evaluation of the addictive process, this book will serve as a useful tool of reflection — leading to action.

The author provides a new approach to the ubiquitous subjects of alcohol and drug abuse. Instead of focussing on the substance (the old distinction between soft and hard drugs is now obsolete) he urges us to focus on behaviour.

Included here are such useful tools as questionnaires and tables to help us understand abusive and addictive behaviour among adolescents.

Daniel Bailly is a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Aix-Marseille and a practising psychiatrist at Hôpital Sainte Marguerite, Marseille. He is the author of La Peur de la séparation.