Advances in Clinical Approaches to Addiction: Understanding Mechanisms and Coping Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

The use and availability of psychoactive drugs, such as alcohol, cannabis, and opioids, are steadily increasing over time. As a consequence, the number of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) has also grown, posing a significant public health challenge on a global scale. Despite decades of research, effective treatment options remain limited, and relapse rates remain high. Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to explore the latest advances in clinical approaches to addiction, focusing on the mechanisms underlying SUDs and the development of novel coping strategies for affected individuals.

Through a diverse range of articles, we will highlight key advancements in understanding the biological, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to addiction. We will also emphasize emerging therapeutic interventions that target these mechanisms, including pharmacological treatments, behavioral therapies, and integrated approaches that address both the clinical and psychosocial aspects of recovery. Additionally, this Issue will feature cutting-edge research on the role of coping strategies in maintaining recovery and preventing relapse, offering new insights into how individuals can better manage stress, cravings, and other triggers associated with addiction.

Through this Special Issue, we seek to create a multidisciplinary dialogue that will lead to improved clinical practices and better outcomes for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Therefore, we invite researchers, academics, and professionals in related fields to submit their original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that offer new perspectives and solutions for helping those with addiction and moving the field forward.

Examples of complementary therapies include the following:

• Neurobiological mechanisms in substance use disorders;
• Advances in pharmacological treatments for addiction;
• Behavioral therapies and their efficacy in addiction recovery;
• The role of genetics in addiction susceptibility;
• Coping strategies for relapse prevention;
• Psychosocial factors influencing recovery outcomes;
• The impact of comorbid mental health disorders on addiction treatment;
• Innovations in integrated care models for addiction management;
• Cultural and environmental influences on addiction and recovery;
• Technological approaches in addiction treatment (e.g., digital interventions);
• Health-based interventions such as exercise and nutrition.

Dr. Daniel Cabral
Dr. Vagner Deuel O. Tavares
Dr. Dongshi Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• exercise
• physical activity
• Tai Chi
• mindfulness
• transcranial magnetic stimulation
• substance use disorders
• alcohol
• cannabis
• methamphetamine
• new psychoactive substances
• cognition
• inhibition control
• decision making
• executive functions
• working memory
• reward circuit
• prefrontal cortex