ABSTRACT
Substance use disorders are among the most pressing and intransigent mental health problems facing society today. Substance use is said to move from recreational to disordered is determined by the social and cultural context in which the behavior occurs. Moreover, sexual assault during adulthood appears associated with substance use. Sociocultural factors play important roles in the substance use patterns of men and women. Neurobiological research on addiction focuses on identifying neuroadaptive mechanisms within specific brain circuits that mediate the transition from infrequent and controlled substance use to chronic addiction. Conceptualizations of addiction have varied throughout history, and different treatment approaches have been based largely on the theoretical model holding sway. Many studies have examined the genetic predisposition to substance abuse and addiction, and a substantial body of research suggests that addiction problems and disorders have a genetic component. Behavioral scientists have proposed an alternative biopsychosocial approach to defining alcohol and drug abuse.
