Clinical studies indicate that a brief intervention with a professional for people displaying substance abuse behaviors, but who do not yet have addictions, can influence tremendous behavioral change. The best way to deal with drug or alcohol dependency and abuse is never to let it occur in the first place. While we are very unlikely to curtail trans-cultural human urges towards the consumption of mood altering substances, through better prevention and intervention, we may be able to limit the numbers of people who progress from use to abuse.