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NEUROSCIENCE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AND DEPENDENCE

• Substance dependence is not a failure of will or of strength of character
but a medical disorder that could affect any human being. Dependence
is a chronic and relapsing disorder, often co-occurring with other
physical and mental conditions.
• There is significant comorbidity of substance dependence with various
other mental illnesses; assessment, treatment and research would be
most effective if an integrated approach were adopted. Treatment and
prevention insights from other mental illnesses or substance
dependence can be used to inform treatment and prevention strategies
in the domain of the other. Attention to comorbidity of substance use
disorders and other mental disorders is thus required as an element of
good practice in treating or intervening in either mental illness or
substance dependence.

• Treatment for substance dependence is not only aimed at stopping drug
use—it is a therapeutic process that involves behaviour changes,
psychosocial interventions and often, the use of substitute psychotropic
drugs. Dependence can be treated and managed cost-effectively, saving
lives, improving the health of affected individuals and their families,
and reducing costs to society.
• Treatment must be accessible to all in need. Effective interventions exist
and can be integrated into health systems, including primary health
care. The health care sector needs to provide the most cost-effective
treatments.
• One of the main barriers to treatment and care of people with substance
dependence and related problems is the stigma and discrimination
against them. Regardless of the level of substance use and which
substance an individual takes, they have the same rights to health,
education, work opportunities and reintegration into society, as does
any other individual.
• Investments in neuroscience research must continue and expand to
include investments in social science, prevention, treatment and policy
research. The reduction in the burden from substance use and related
disorders must rely on evidence-based policies and programmes which
are the result of research and its application.

Conclusion
This report has summarized the advances in our understanding of the
neuroscience of psychoactive substance use and dependence in recent
decades, and has considered some of the ethical issues which are connected
with these advances. The developments in neuroscience have greatly
increased our knowledge about substance use and dependence, and the new

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