Drug or alcohol abuse
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Key Insights from Recent Research
Neurobiology and Psychosocial Interventions in Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse are prevalent disorders that often complicate other psychiatric conditions. Recent research has focused on the neurobiology of these disorders, examining how drugs and alcohol affect neurotransmitter function and the underlying vulnerability to addiction. This increased understanding is expected to lead to more effective treatment strategies, which are currently dominated by psychosocial interventions1.
Trauma and Substance Abuse: Implications for Patient Management
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, is frequently associated with trauma, leading to significant challenges in patient management. Understanding the effects and implications of substance abuse is crucial for providing optimal care to trauma victims. This includes recognizing the patterns of drug ingestion that result in physical or mental injury and addressing the unauthorized use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs2.
Commonalities and Distinctions in Addiction Mechanisms
Alcohol abuse often co-occurs with the abuse of other drugs, suggesting a potential underlying dysfunctional neurobiological basis for substance abuse. Research using rodent models has highlighted both common and distinct behavioral and molecular manifestations across different substances, such as alcohol, psychostimulants, opioids, and nicotine. These studies emphasize the importance of neurocircuitry, transcriptomics, and behavioral genetics in understanding the stages of drug dependence and the enduring effects of addiction3.
Prevalence and Co-Morbidity of Substance Abuse
The prevalence of drug abuse among alcoholics and problem drinkers varies widely, with estimates ranging from 60% to 80%, particularly higher in individuals under 40. This co-morbidity complicates the investigation and treatment of substance abuse, as it often leads to physiological and medical complications. Understanding these patterns is essential for developing effective interventions6.
Screening and Evaluation Tools for Substance Abuse
The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a valuable tool for clinical screening and treatment evaluation. It provides a quantitative index of problems related to drug misuse and has demonstrated substantial reliability and validity in clinical settings. However, further validation is needed across different populations and settings to enhance its utility7.
Substance Abuse and Violence
There is considerable evidence linking drug and alcohol abuse with violence and aggressive behavior. This association is particularly strong with alcohol, which has been extensively studied for its role in contributing to violent behavior. Understanding the etiological and contributing factors is crucial for developing new approaches to address this issue5.
Substance Use Among Children and Teenagers
Substance use and abuse among children and teenagers are influenced by sociocultural contexts. It is important to distinguish between use and abuse and to consider the multidimensional aspects of the drug, the individual, and the consequences. Prevention, treatment, and understanding the effects of youthful drug use are critical areas of focus to address this growing concern10.
Conclusion
The research on drug and alcohol abuse highlights the complexity of these disorders and the need for a multifaceted approach to treatment and prevention. Advances in understanding the neurobiology, co-morbidity, and psychosocial factors associated with substance abuse are paving the way for more effective strategies to combat these pervasive issues. Addressing the implications of substance abuse in trauma, violence, and among youth remains a critical area for ongoing research and intervention.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Alcohol and drug abuse
Recent research on neurobiology of drug and alcohol abuse aims to develop more effective treatments by understanding the underlying vulnerability, effects on neurotransmitter function, and consequences of abuse and relapse.
Alcohol and drug abuse in trauma.
Trauma is commonly associated with alcohol and drug intoxication, requiring a thorough understanding of their effects and implications for optimal patient care.
Commonalities and Distinctions Among Mechanisms of Addiction to Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Addiction to alcohol and other drugs shares common behavioral and molecular manifestations, but distinctions exist among classes of drugs, highlighting the need for a unifying theory.
Literature Review
Very Rigorous JournalDrug and Alcohol Abuse
The fifth edition of this clinical guide to drug and alcohol abuse offers a comprehensive guide for clinicians, students, and researchers, with expanded coverage on pharmacology, prevention, and co-morbidity with psychiatric disorders.
Highly CitedDrugs, alcohol and violence
Alcohol abuse is associated with increased aggression and violence, with recent studies focusing on aetiological factors, new approaches, and a focus on violence prevention strategies.
Drug abuse by alcoholics and problem drinkers: a literature review and evaluation.
Alcoholics and problem drinkers are estimated to have drug abuse rates between 60 and 80%, with higher rates in individuals under 40 than over 40.
Literature ReviewThe drug abuse screening test.
The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a reliable and valid tool for quantifying drug involvement in help-seeking populations, but further validation is needed in other populations and settings.
Observational StudyHighly CitedCrime Indicators for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Principal components analysis (PCA) effectively groups crimes into alcohol and drug factors, with only minor gender differences in aggravated assault and liquor law violations.
Observational StudyA Review on Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse
Drug addiction and abuse are characterized by extreme and intentional misuse of drugs, with psychosocial factors playing a significant role in their pathogenesis.
Substance use and abuse among children and teenagers.
Child and teenage drug use is influenced by sociocultural context, and addressing these factors can help limit drug use and improve outcomes.
Highly Cited