Addiction, Substance Use, and Mental Illness: A Public Health Perspective

Dear Colleagues,

The interconnectedness between substance use disorders and mental illnesses is profound, rooted in shared causes encompassing genetic and epigenetic vulnerabilities, disruptions in pertinent brain regions, and environmental factors like early exposure to stress or trauma. It is crucial to recognize the symbiotic relationship between drug use and mental health, where one can significantly impact the other. There exists a reciprocal influence, with recognized risk factors associated with the onset of various mental illnesses contributing to drug use and addiction. Many individuals with moderate, severe, or even subclinical mental health issues may resort to drug use as a form of self-medication. While some drugs may provide momentary relief from mental illness symptoms, there is a poignant caveat: long-term usage could exacerbate these conditions. 

Furthermore, the negative repercussions are not unidirectional; substance use disorders and drug consumption can adversely affect mental health. Shared neural pathways with other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, mood, or impulse-control disorders, may undergo alterations due to substance use. The structural and functional modifications in the brain induced by drug use can potentially serve as a catalyst, predisposing individuals to the development of mental illnesses, even before the manifestation of initial symptoms. Recognizing this intricate interplay is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of substance use on mental health.

Finally, this issue becomes increasingly pronounced when examining emerging substances which can be abused, like synthetic cannabinoids. According to the recent literature, these substances have the potential to induce severe brain damage and contribute to the emergence of substantial psychiatric symptoms.

This Special Issue of Healthcare aims to publish original articles, critical reviews, research notes, and short communications that investigate and/or discuss the intersection between substance use behaviors and mental disorders.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Valerio Ricci
Guest Editor

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• substance abuse
• cannabinoids
• psychosis
• mental health
• schizophrenia
• novel psychoactive drugs
• addiction