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Psychoactive Substances
Psychoactive substances are natural or synthetic substances that act on the central nervous system and alter mental processes such as mood, perception, cognition, consciousness, and behaviour. These substances may be legally prescribed medications (e.g., pain medications or sedatives), legally available substances such as alcohol or caffeine, or controlled or illicit drugs. Psychoactive substances can be used for medical, social, cultural, or recreational purposes, but some carry risks of misuse, dependence, and health or social harms when used in harmful ways.
New Psychoactive Substances: Studies from Central Asia and China
Recommended Reading: New Psychoactive Substances: Studies from Central Asia and China
We are pleased to present the book "New Psychoactive Substances: Studies from Central Asia and China", prepared by an international team of experts and...
A Deeper Look into the Roots of Substance Use Disorders
Addiction is often seen through the lens of poor choices or lack of willpower, but this view oversimplifies what is, in reality, a highly complex mental health condition. Through my academic journey in addiction counseling, I’ve come to...
A Deeper Look into the Roots of Substance Use Disorders
Addiction is often seen through the lens of poor choices or lack of willpower, but this view oversimplifies what is, in reality, a highly complex mental health condition. Through my academic journey in addiction counseling, I’ve come to...
World Drug Report 2025
On July 2nd, 2025, ISSUP had the privilege of hosting a webinar outlining highlights from the 2025 edition of the World Drug Report (WDR), presented by Ms. Giovanna Campello, Chief of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section at...
Mindfulness treatment for substance misuse: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Highlights
•First meta-analysis of mindfulness treatment for substance misuse.
•Mindfulness treatment is a positive intervention for substance use disorders.
•Mindfulness treatment had a significant small effect on reducing substance...
Anger and substance abuse: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate levels of anger among substance users compared to non-user controls and to analyze the possible association between anger and psychoactive substance use (PSU).
...Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Opioid Users in Dodoma, Tanzania: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study Protocol
INTRODUCTION:
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly commorbid among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). PTSD among people with OUD is associated with severe opioid use, depression, and suicidality. Tanzania has seen a...
AddictologyIssue 3/2024
Criminal reactions to drug-using offenders: A systematic review of the effect of treatment and/or punishment on reduction of drug use and/or criminal recidivism
The association between substance use and crime is very common, but complex. Several countries have found strategies to face drug abuse and criminality that may exist associated to it, seeking to reduce overcrowded prisons and to promote...
Addictions in Potential Sperm Donors: What is Possible to Control?
INTRODUCTION: Third-party sperm donation represents the sole viable option for conception for a considerable number of infertile couples. The donation process is predicated on ensuring the high quality and safety of the donated cells. While...
AddictologyIssue 3/2024
Webinar reflection: Exploring Multiple Pathways of Recovery
ISSUP, in collaboration with Faces & Voices of Recovery, has launched a new Global Recovery Network webinar series to spotlight diverse perspectives on recovery. The first webinar featured Dr. Haner Hernández, a respected expert in the...
Global status report on alcohol and health and treatment of substance use disorders
The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability...
UNODC World Drug Report
A global reference on drug markets, trends and policy developments, the World Drug Report offers a wealth of data and analysis and in 2025 comprises several elements tailored to different audiences.
UNODC World Drug Report 2025: Global instability compounding social, economic and security costs of the world drug problem
A new era of global instability has intensified challenges in addressing the world drug problem, empowering organized crime groups and pushing drug use to historically high levels, says the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the World Drug Report 2025 launched today.
Alcohol Use Among Adults in Greece and Kazakhstan: Results from an Online Research
ISSUP Greece and ISSUP Kazakhstan present a presentation of the results from an online study on alcohol use among adults in Greece and Kazakhstan.
Improving reach and access to health promotion and preventive services for vulnerable children and adolescents
Across Europe, one in four children faces poverty or social exclusion, with vulnerable groups—such as migrants, refugees, and children from disadvantaged families—bearing the greatest burden. These disparities were worsened by the COVID-19...
Key findings from the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD)
This publication presents key findings from the 8th round of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), conducted in 2024 among 113,882 students aged 15–16 across 37 European countries.
Marking 30 years of...
Psychologists are innovating to tackle substance use by building new alliances in treatment efforts
Recent data from the U.S. highlights a concerning rise in substance use and related harms. In 2022, over 109,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded—a 54% increase since 2019. The majority involved illicit fentanyl, often mixed with...
Highlights from the 2025 UNODC World Drug Report
ISSUP in collaboration with UNODC present a webinar highlighting key findings from the 2025 edition of the UNODC World Drug Report. The session is presented by Giovanna Campello, Chief of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Tobacco treatment billing and tobacco use disorder diagnosis in healthcare settings in the United States: an analysis of South Carolina medicaid claims
Background
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Although Medicaid covers tobacco cessation treatments, smoking rates remain much higher among Medicaid beneficiaries (30%) compared to those with private...
Understanding Gambling Addiction and Its Links to Substance Use Disorders & Mental Health in Kenya.
ISSUP Kenya presents its webinar on Understanding Gambling Addiction and Its Links to Substance Use Disorders & Mental Health in Kenya.