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Substance and Behavioral Addictions: Prevention and Diagnosis
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Substance and Behavioral Addictions: Prevention and Diagnosis

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 3457

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Icro Maremmani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vincent P. Dole Dual Disorder Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Pisa, Italy
Interests: opioid maintenance; methadone; buprenorphine; dual disorder
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Substance and behavioural addictions represent complex clinical phenomena, necessitating rigorous approaches to prevention and diagnosis within medical practice. In clinical prevention, interventions often encompass evidence-based modalities, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to address underlying psychological mechanisms and bolster adaptive coping strategies. The diagnostic process in clinical settings is characterised by meticulous assessments, integrating standardised screening tools and diagnostic criteria as delineated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Differential diagnosis mandates discerning addiction from concurrent psychiatric disorders, necessitating comprehensive evaluations conducted by adept clinicians. Moreover, clinical interventions are tailored to individual patient needs, drawing upon a spectrum of therapeutic modalities, including pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions. Interdisciplinary collaborations among clinicians, addiction specialists, and allied healthcare professionals are paramount in ensuring comprehensive patient care. Timely and accurate diagnosis facilitates prompt intervention and informs the development of personalised treatment plans, thereby optimising patient outcomes.

The scope of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of the recent advancements, challenges, and perspectives regarding substance and behavioural addictions, as well as novel means of outcome assessment and prediction. Researchers in this field are invited to submit original articles or reviews.

Prof. Dr. Icro Maremmani
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Journal of Clinical Medicine 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 2600 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

  • substance addiction
  • behavioural addiction
  • clinical perspectives
  • prevention strategies
  • diagnostic protocols
  • differential diagnosis
  • psychopathology of addiction
  • psychopathology as a diagnostic tool
  • craving behavioural covariates

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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22 pages, 2291 KiB  
Article
Analysing Digital Engagement Patterns: A Machine Learning Investigation into Social Anxiety Among Adolescents with ADHD
by Roxana Șipoș, Tudor Văidean, Andreea-Marlena Răpciuc, Costina-Ruxandra Poetar and Elena Predescu
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(23), 7461; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13237461 - 7 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2000
Abstract
Background: The relationship between screen time and mental health among adolescents, particularly those identified as “digital natives”, has become increasingly pertinent, especially in the context of heightened digital engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the associations between digital engagement [...] Read more.
Background: The relationship between screen time and mental health among adolescents, particularly those identified as “digital natives”, has become increasingly pertinent, especially in the context of heightened digital engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the associations between digital engagement patterns, ADHD severity, and anxiety symptoms in adolescents aged 11–18. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 97 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing daily digital activities and anxiety symptoms while caregivers provided additional contextual information. Data were analyzed using Random Forest regression to identify relationships between screen time, ADHD severity, and anxiety symptoms. Results: The findings indicate an average screen time of 6.6 h on weekdays and 8.1 h on weekends, with social media emerging as the primary activity, particularly among female participants. Notable gender differences were identified, with family dynamics influencing digital engagement; family disputes had a more significant impact on girls than boys. Furthermore, specific anxiety traits, i.e., physical symptoms and harm avoidance, significantly predicted time spent on social media across all genders considered in the study, while others, namely social anxiety and separation anxiety, were less valuable. Conclusions: This study highlights the complex interplay between screen time, ADHD, and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions that address the nuanced relationships between digital engagement and mental health in this population, warranting further research to develop effective management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance and Behavioral Addictions: Prevention and Diagnosis)
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Review

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25 pages, 743 KiB  
Review
Beyond Confinement: A Systematic Review on Factors Influencing Binge Drinking Among Adolescents and Young Adults During the Pandemic
by Andrea Merino-Casquero, Elena Andrade-Gómez, Javier Fagundo-Rivera and Pablo Fernández-León
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(5), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051546 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 906
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to enhance the understanding of factors influencing changes in binge drinking (BD) behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on its impact on the health of individuals aged 12 to 25 years. Methods: A systematic [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to enhance the understanding of factors influencing changes in binge drinking (BD) behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on its impact on the health of individuals aged 12 to 25 years. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, encompassing studies published between January 2020 and September 2024. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, following PRISMA guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) review protocols. Inclusion criteria targeted studies focusing on BD during the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescents or school-aged individuals without specific medical conditions. Exclusions included studies limited to a single gender, ethnicity, or profession, as well as doctoral theses and editorials. JBI tools were used to assess the quality of the selected studies. Results: From 33 studies (19 cross-sectional and 14 longitudinal), trends in BD during the pandemic varied: 2 studies reported an increase, while 21 indicated a decrease. Key factors linked to increased BD included pandemic stressors (e.g., isolation, social disconnection and non-compliance with restrictions), psychosocial issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, boredom, and low resilience), prior substance use, and sociodemographic variables (e.g., low education, economic extremes, living arrangements, and limited family support). Female gender and academic disengagement were also risk factors. Conversely, factors like stay-at-home orders, fear of contagion, family support, studying health sciences, and resilient coping strategies contributed to reduced BD. Other variables, such as pandemic stress and self-efficacy, had inconsistent effects. Conclusions: Factors contributing to increased BD included pandemic-related stress, mental health conditions, and unhealthy habits, while protective factors included stay-at-home orders, social support, and resilient coping. The study highlights the need for effective prevention and intervention strategies, emphasizing a holistic approach in healthcare, early detection, and tailored interventions, particularly for vulnerable groups such as adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance and Behavioral Addictions: Prevention and Diagnosis)
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