Effectiveness of Take it Personal!

Take it Personal! is a six-week indicated prevention program for youth with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning. The program aims to teach youngsters skills to reduce their substance use (alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs). The prevention program differentiates four personality profiles associated with a higher risk for problematic substance use: sensation seeking, impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity and negative thinking. For each of the four personality profiles, different program outlines were developed that are similar in structure but have their own personality-specific materials, games and (psychomotor) exercises. There are weekly individual- and group sessions with three to four participants, led by a clinical psychologist and a psychomotor therapist. Motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapeutic principles are applied, both of which have proven effectiveness in decreasing substance use the target group.