The aim of the present study was to estimate aetiology and risk factors for psychoactive substances among adolescent students in Assiut Governorate,Egypt

This study was cross sectional community survey conducted during academic year (2010-2011). The sample size was 5476 students from preparatory and secondary schools were subjected to a standardized questionnaire of substance misuse questionnaire of Egypt in an Arabic version and modified Arabic version of socioeconomic scale .

22.9 % of sample stated that they used psychoactive substance. Peak age of onset was among students between 11-15 (61%), followed by 16-19 (31%) and lastly less than 10 (8%). Students raised in Nuclear families reported higher prevalence (83.92%) than those in Extended families (16.08%). Substance use disorder was prevalent in students with first Order of birth (38.85%) and then last (30.90%). Substance use was prevalent in students with moderate socioeconomic status (67.12%),then with low (16.64 %) and with high (16.24 %). According to beliefs of substance users toward substance, 30.18 % believed it makes person euphoric, 23.25% it make person lives in world of dreams, 23.81% it makes person works for long time.

Risk factors for adolescent substance use disorders represent psychosocial continuum begin from representing levels of exposure to anything like a ‘drug atmosphere’