ABSTRACT

The scientific study of drugs of abuse is multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary, and the

core of these scientific efforts is to understand antecedents and consequences of

drug-related behaviors. Of greatest concern are those behaviors that can be harmful to

individuals, resulting in long-term adverse consequences for society. The scientific

disciplines range from genetic and molecular sciences through systems neuroscience, to

behavioral, clinical, and social sciences. The complex problems presented by alcohol and

drug abuse have demanded development of multilevel approaches together with well

defined animal models, which are now leading toward a broad-based understanding of

the impact of alcohol on both adult and developing organisms. With so many varied

scientific disciplines represented, one key to future progress in understanding and

discovery will be meaningful interchange and conceptual integration across different

levels of analysis among scientists whose expertise is usually concentrated in one level or

discipline. This summary chapter briefly describes some of the ways in which

collaborative, inter-disciplinary exchange can facilitate development of strategies of

intervention effective in reducing some of the consequences of alcohol abuse.