Youth Awareness of Psychoactive Substances: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study evaluates psychoactive substance awareness and socio-environmental catalysts among 114 Libyan youth. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, the results showed high scientific literacy, with 87.7% recognizing neurochemical changes caused by substances. However, 45.6% underestimated addiction risks from a single trial, indicating a significant knowledge-to-behavior gap. Peer pressure was the primary catalyst for experimentation (71.1%), while social stigma remains a major barrier to seeking treatment (56.1%). The findings suggest that current awareness programs are insufficient (71.1%) and should shift toward interactive, lived-experience-based models to effectively bridge the preventive gap.