Each culture has a different effect on substance abuse and use. Some of the cultural habits do encourage substance abuse without conscious acknowledgment, while to others, the use of substances is part of the culture. Encouraging a culture of communal responsibility in which recognition of adolescents and acceptance of teenagers as critical components of society can go a long way. Encouraging mentorship groups across intergenerational groups of older and younger teenagers creates an environment to be able to prevent experimentation of substance abuse.
Most cultures have internal mechanisms that keep the community together and provide a framework to prevent substance abuse. “As a preventive and therapeutic system, Espiritismo is based on the particular strengths and cultural realities of the Puerto Rican community.” There is also no evidence that suggests that people from a particular culture or genetic background can suffer different levels of addictions to substance abuse and, in some cases, natural occurrences of medical conditions that are similar to substance abuse. According to Keough, “the study results indicate that ataques de nervios are not unique to the Hispanic culture and may be experienced by a more widespread group.”