Substance Abuse (SBA)

Section Information

Substance Abuse focuses on the behavioral, psychological, biological, and social factors involved in the misuse of alcohol, drugs, and other addictive substances. It examines addiction mechanisms, risk factors, prevention strategies, treatment approaches, and the broader public health and societal impacts of substance use disorders.

Modern research in this field includes neurobiology of addiction, epidemiology of substance use, behavioral and pharmacological interventions, harm reduction, comorbid psychiatric conditions, social determinants of substance use, and policy evaluation. Advances in neuroscience, genetics, digital health tools, and integrated care models continue to enhance understanding and treatment of substance-related disorders.

This section publishes empirical studies, clinical trials, epidemiological analyses, prevention research, reviews, and case reports addressing substance use patterns, addiction mechanisms, treatment outcomes, rehabilitation strategies, and innovations in public health and clinical practice.

Scope

Neurobiology and Mechanisms of Addiction
- Neural pathways, neurotransmitters, and reward circuits
- Brain adaptations, dependence, and withdrawal processes
- Genetic, epigenetic, and molecular influences on addiction
- Neuroimaging studies and biomarkers of substance use disorders
Epidemiology and Patterns of Substance Use
- Trends in alcohol, tobacco, opioid, stimulant, and cannabis use
- Demographic, cultural, and environmental influences
- Risk and protective factors across lifespan and communities
- Public health surveillance and global burden assessment
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Comorbidity
- Screening tools and diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders
- Co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions
- Assessment of functional impairment and risk severity
- Integrated approaches for dual-diagnosis populations
Treatment and Rehabilitation Strategies
- Behavioral therapies including CBT, MI, and contingency management
- Medication-assisted treatments for opioid, alcohol, and nicotine dependence
- Inpatient, outpatient, and community-based treatment models
- Relapse prevention, long-term recovery, and peer support programs
Prevention, Harm Reduction, and Public Health Approaches
- School-based, family-based, and community interventions
- Needle exchange, supervised consumption, and overdose prevention
- Health communication and stigma reduction strategies
- Population-level policies and regulatory approaches
Social, Behavioral, and Environmental Determinants
- Social networks, peer influence, and community context
- Trauma, stress, socioeconomic factors, and vulnerability
- Family dynamics and developmental influences
- Technology, media exposure, and behavioral trends
Adolescent and Special Population Studies
- Substance use among adolescents and young adults
- Gender-specific patterns and reproductive health implications
- Substance use in marginalized and high-risk populations
- Prenatal exposure and developmental outcomes
Policy, Ethics, and Legal Considerations
- Drug policy, regulation, and criminal justice approaches
- Ethical issues in treatment, research, and harm reduction
- Economic impacts, healthcare costs, and system burden
- Legislative reforms and global policy evaluations