The Role of Social Science in Substance Use Disorders and Addiction

Substance use disorder (SUD) has become a worldwide epidemic, especially with the increasing mortality rates from opioid abuse. SUD affects millions worldwide in addition to the individual who uses substances. SUD also affects the families, communities, and society as a whole. The lack of available treatment for SUD places a heavy burden on healthcare systems as the longer an individual waits to seek treatment for their SUD, the more difficult successful and long-term recovery may be. This chapter discusses social science-oriented SUD prevention, treatment, and reoccurrence and assessment and diagnosis, and the various forms of therapy used in treating and managing SUD. SUD is not defined by gender, socioeconomic status, or ethnoracial background, and crosses over into all sectors of the population. Social science research has identified many of the biological, psychological, and sociological factors that lead to SUD. Moreover, bio-psychosocial treatments are effective, efficient, and have longer-lasting, sustained outcomes. Treatments based on social science also play a crucial part in determining SUD treatment outcomes at the individual, community, and society levels.