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Substance Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, and Intervention Strategies
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Substance Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, and Intervention Strategies

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 4290

Editor

Dr. Valerio Ricci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychiatry, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
Interests: addiction; substance abuse; psychosis; schizophrenia; cannabinoids; novel psychoactive drugs; THC
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

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

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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.

Keywords

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

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 3946 KB  
Article
Automated Facial Emotion Recognition System Detects Altered Emotional Processing During Craving Induction in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder
by Joaquin García-Estrada, Diana Emilia Martínez-Fernández, Iris del Socorro Pérez-Alcaraz, Carlos Joel Mondragón-Gomar, Irene G. Aguilar-García, Sonia Luquin and David Fernández-Quezada
Healthcare 2026, 14(10), 1422; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14101422 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 386
Abstract
Background: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is characterized by recurrent craving episodes frequently associated with emotional dysregulation and altered reward processing. This study aimed to evaluate whether emotional states associated with craving episodes can be detected through automated facial emotion recognition during controlled [...] Read more.
Background: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is characterized by recurrent craving episodes frequently associated with emotional dysregulation and altered reward processing. This study aimed to evaluate whether emotional states associated with craving episodes can be detected through automated facial emotion recognition during controlled emotional induction. Methods: Forty-one participants completed a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) monitoring anxiety and craving levels, followed by an emotional induction task using standardized stimuli from the EmoMadrid database and addiction-related images. Facial expressions were recorded and analyzed in real time using a computational facial emotion recognition model trained on the FER-2013 dataset. Results: Participants with SUD exhibited significantly reduced positive emotional valence and emotional activation in response to positive stimuli compared with healthy controls (HC), with large effect sizes observed for emotional valence (Hedges’ g = 1.76) and emotional activation (Hedges’ g = 1.33). Item-level analyses revealed that most between-group differences occurred in stimuli depicting social interactions. Individuals with SUD also showed higher frequencies of fear-related facial expressions and lower frequencies of disgust-related expressions compared with HC, with moderate effect sizes observed for both emotional dimensions (Hedges’ g = 0.72; p = 0.02). Conclusions: These results suggest that people with SUD have changes in how they process emotions, showing less response to positive things and unique facial expressions related to craving. However, given the relatively modest and clinically heterogeneous sample, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and require replication in larger and more homogeneous populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, and Intervention Strategies)
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Review

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25 pages, 738 KB  
Review
Substance-Specific Treatment Responses and Resistance Patterns in Induced Psychoses: A Scoping Review of Antipsychotic Efficacy
by Valerio Ricci, Stefania Chiappini, Giovanni Martinotti and Giuseppe Maina
Healthcare 2025, 13(24), 3210; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243210 - 8 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Objective: To scope the available literature on antipsychotic treatment in substance-induced psychotic disorders, summarize evidence across substance categories, and highlight priorities for future research. Methods: This scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, [...] Read more.
Objective: To scope the available literature on antipsychotic treatment in substance-induced psychotic disorders, summarize evidence across substance categories, and highlight priorities for future research. Methods: This scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library (January 1985–August 2025) identified studies examining antipsychotic treatment in cannabis-, stimulant-, and hallucinogen-induced psychoses. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data using a standardized form. Given marked heterogeneity, findings were synthesized descriptively. Results: Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria: 3 randomized controlled trials (17.6%), 10 observational studies (58.8%), and 4 case series (23.5%). Most evidence involved cannabis-induced (n = 7) and methamphetamine-induced (n = 6) psychosis. Randomized trials showed comparable efficacy between risperidone and haloperidol for cannabis-induced psychosis, and between quetiapine and haloperidol for methamphetamine-induced psychosis. Case series suggested potential benefits of third-generation antipsychotics such as lurasidone and cariprazine. No controlled studies were identified for cocaine- or hallucinogen-induced psychoses. Conclusions: Evidence for antipsychotic treatment in substance-induced psychoses remains scarce and uneven. While conventional antipsychotics appear effective for cannabis- and methamphetamine-related presentations, other substances remain virtually unstudied. Substantial evidence gaps and limited methodological quality highlight urgent research needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, and Intervention Strategies)
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Other

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7 pages, 568 KB  
Case Report
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Masquerading as Panic Attacks: A Case Report
by Samuel Cholette-Tétrault, Philippe Leclerc, Thomas Barabé-Tremblay and Michaela Barbarosie
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040445 - 10 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1987
Abstract
Background: The clinical presentation of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and panic disorder can sometimes overlap, particularly when the seizure symptoms include paroxysmal episodes of intense fear and autonomic symptoms. As a result, patients with TLE can be misdiagnosed with a primary psychiatric illness, [...] Read more.
Background: The clinical presentation of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and panic disorder can sometimes overlap, particularly when the seizure symptoms include paroxysmal episodes of intense fear and autonomic symptoms. As a result, patients with TLE can be misdiagnosed with a primary psychiatric illness, which leads to inappropriate treatment, worsening of the underlying condition and decreased function and quality of life. Clinical case: We present the case of a 46-year-old woman, known for a 20-year history of generalized epilepsy and major depressive disorder with panic attacks that were refractory and persistent despite trials of SSRIs, benzodiazepines and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While hospitalized for video-EEG monitoring in the context of worsening epilepsy, she was found to have TLE seizures presenting as what the patient had described as panic attacks, and that sometimes progressed to secondarily generalized seizures. Following a transition from a medication regimen targeting generalized epilepsy to one more appropriate for focal seizures, the patient experienced clinical improvement with a decrease in the magnitude and frequency of panic symptoms. Conclusions: This case, in combination with other case reports in the literature, demonstrates the need for clinical suspicion of TLE in patients presenting with atypical panic-like episodes or a refractory panic disorder, especially in cases known for epilepsy or having risk factors for seizure disorder. It also highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic evaluation in neuropsychiatric presentations, including EEG and brain imaging, to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Abuse, Mental Health Disorders, and Intervention Strategies)
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