Substance Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, and Intervention Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Building upon previous explorations of the intricate relationship between substance use disorders and mental illness, this Special Issue will further investigate the complex bidirectional connections that define this critical public health challenge. The evidence base has expanded significantly, reinforcing our understanding of how genetic predisposition, neurobiological vulnerabilities, and environmental stressors create a multifaceted landscape against which addiction and mental health disorders frequently co-occur.

Recent research has further illuminated the mechanisms underlying dual diagnosis conditions, revealing how shared neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems contribute to both substance use patterns and psychiatric symptomatology. The concept of self-medication remains central in understanding why individuals with mental health conditions may turn to substances, yet emerging evidence suggests that this relationship is far more nuanced than previously recognized. Contemporary studies demonstrate that while substances may provide temporary symptom relief, they often perpetuate and intensify underlying mental health conditions through neuroadaptive processes.

Of particular concern is the evolving landscape of novel psychoactive substances and their psychiatric implications. Synthetic drugs, including new generations of cannabinoids, stimulants, and hallucinogens, present unprecedented challenges for both clinical assessment and treatment approaches. These substances often exhibit unpredictable pharmacological profiles, potentially causing severe neuropsychiatric consequences that extend beyond traditional addiction paradigms.

This Special Issue of Healthcare will advance this field by publishing cutting-edge research, comprehensive reviews, and innovative clinical perspectives addressing current gaps in our understanding of substance use–mental health comorbidity. We particularly welcome contributions that explore novel therapeutic interventions, prevention strategies, and evidence-based approaches to integrated care.

I look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and working together to strengthen this essential area of healthcare research.

Dr. Valerio Ricci
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 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.

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