Among young people, the use and misuse of alcohol and drugs is widespread. There are many potential causal and influencing factors behind young people’s use and misuse of substances. There is increasing evidence that the family plays a key part in both prevention and intervention, both through inducing risk, or encouraging and promoting protection and resilience. The family has been seen as having a pivotal role in the aetiology of problem behaviors, such as substance misuse. This review examines two main areas related to the family: (1) the evidence for family involvement in young people taking up the use and misuse of substances; and (2) interventions aimed at helping the family prevent substance use and misuse among young people. There are several conclusions that can be drawn from the review, but there is considerable evidence that family factors are important in increasing risk and also, in protecting young people in relation to their taking up the use of various substances and in the development of problematic substance use. The research strongly suggests that the family can have a central role in preventing substance use and later misuse among young people. References