Tertiary prevention programs mainly target which group?

Tertiary prevention programs focus on individuals who have already been diagnosed with an illness or condition, particularly those who have undergone treatment for substance abuse. The primary aim of these programs is to prevent relapse and manage the long-term effects of addiction, helping individuals to maintain recovery and reintegrate into society. By providing support in areas such as counseling, education, and ongoing treatment, tertiary prevention seeks to minimize the impact of substance abuse on the individual and their community.

This approach contrasts with other forms of prevention. For example, primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of substance abuse among individuals who have never used substances, while secondary prevention is targeted at those in the early stages of substance use or experimentation, aiming to deter progression into more serious issues. In this context, the focus of tertiary prevention on individuals with a history of treatment underscores the importance of addressing the complex needs of those in recovery, recognizing that their challenges may differ significantly from those at earlier stages of substance use.