High-risk behaviors are those acts that place individuals at a greater disadvantage to abuse or depend on substances. These behaviors are often health compromising acts that are preexisting or comorbid with substance use. High-risk behaviors are risk factors that, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), can be both additive and potent. As an additive effect, the more risk behaviors a person has, the more the chance for substance abuse. In terms of potency, the presence of some high-risk behaviors leads to a greater chance of substance abuse than does the presence of other high-risk behaviors. Identification of these behaviors is important to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery because if not targeted for prevention or addressed in treatment, these behaviors can hinder ...