Drug use prevention for the high sensation seeker: The role of alternative activities

Research demonstrating links between sensation-seeking and drug use, and sensation-seeking and participation in leisure activities suggests designing substance misuse prevention projects that encourage substituting alternative activities for drug use. The current study uses factor analysis and discriminant analysis to provide comprehensive information on the kinds of activities high-sensation seekers participate in. Factor analysis of activity participation indicates an eight factor solution. Discriminant analysis of factor scores indicates that high-sensation seekers can be discriminated from low-sensation seekers on the basis of two factors, active-adventure and conflict-combat. Implications for prevention program design are discussed.