Protect Your Brain: Pilot Study Released

The Addiction Policy Forum, in partnership with the University of Delaware, has released results from a pilot study testing the effectiveness of a training curriculum for youth.  The Protect Your Brain curriculum is designed to strengthen prevention knowledge and equip young people with tools to reduce the risk of developing a substance use disorder. The program also emphasizes the neuroscience of brain health, healthy coping skills, and the unique vulnerabilities of the adolescent brain.

Background

Over 90% of individuals who struggle with a substance use disorder began using substances before the age of 18, which is why it’s important to educate adolescents about risk factors for developing an addiction and provide skills and tools to help teenagers make informed decisions about their health (1).

This training delivers evidence-based insights on brain development and substance use disorders, specifically tailored for youth. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills to make informed, healthy lifestyle choices while fostering resilience and long-term well-being.

About Protect Your Brain

The curriculum includes evidence-based information that teaches adolescents about the science of addiction, risk and protective factors, and strategies to safeguard their mental and physical health. Participants learned:

• Key neuroscience elements related to brain health for teens.

• Knowledge about factors that influence the development of addiction or substance use disorders.

• Healthy coping skills to manage stress and emotions effectively.

• An understanding of the unique vulnerabilities of the adolescent brain.

• Practical tools for reducing the risk of developing an addiction

Pilot Study

Between May and August 2025, the Addiction Policy Forum and the University of Delaware partnered with community and national organizations to conduct a pilot study evaluating the effectiveness of the self-paced online course.

• Participants: 45 adolescents (ages 10–17) and their caregivers. These participants were recruited by APF’s summer interns, Tyler Nickel and Stella Blanchard. Participants were drawn from schools and community organizations across 20 states.

• Format: The curriculum was presented to participants in a self-paced online e-course format with interactive modules, videos, and quizzes. Pre and post-surveys were delivered through a secure HIPAA-compliant online platform.

• Measures: Surveys were administered to participants before (Pre-Test) and immediately following the training (Post-Test) to assess changes in knowledge of substance use risk factors, brain health, coping strategies, and resistance to peer pressure.

• Findings: Participants’ scores improved from an average of 10.23 (Pre-Test) to 11.76 (Post-Test) out of 12. This is equivalent to going from a B letter grade to an A+. 

Read the Full Case Study: