title: Alcohol and substance abuse.
abstract: Substance abuse and dependence is a public health problem with far-reaching societal implications. The acute toxicity of substances of abuse and medical consequences of chronic use are substantial. On a more optimistic note, a great deal of progress has been made in understanding and treating substance use disorders. Expanding knowledge concerning the neurobiology of substances of abuse and substance use disorders has led to a growth in pharmacotherapeutic treatment options. A growth in understanding of behavioral processes, motivational issues, and processes of behavioral change has been important in designing new and increasingly more effective psychosocial treatments. A growing body of evidence indicates that the treatment of substance use disorders can be effective, making early diagnosis and treatment or referral increasingly important.
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. mcraeal@musc.edu
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sonne
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D009446:Neurobiology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology