From the Editors’ Desk

Editors JSAP

Dr. Naveen Grover

Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, IHBAS, Delhi 110095. grover.nav@gmail.com

Dr. YPS Balhara

Professor, NDDTC, Gaziabad, UP. ypsbalhara@gmail.com

Dr. Amrita Pain

Assistant Professor, Department of Human Behaviour, IHBAS, Delhi 110095. a.pain.psyd@gmail.com

Dr Anamika Sahu

Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bengaluru - 560029.

We feel privileged and are very happy to bring out the first issue of the Journal of Society for Addiction Psychology on behalf of the Society. Substance use in India has been connected with cultural customs and economic advantages such as producing legal drugs for pharmaceutical markets. Cultural and societal norms shape attitudes towards substance use determining what is considered acceptable or taboo. Legal frameworks define which substances are allowed for use and under what circumstances.

Determining what constitutes “normal” or acceptable substance use is subjective and often controversial. Understanding the increase in substance use or behavioural addiction despite consumer awareness of its potential costs requires recognising the interplay between various social identities, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, and an individual’s experiences of substance use shaped by complex interactions of privilege, oppression or impoverishment. The factors influencing children to turn to substance use as early as 4 years of age require an examination of their socio-demographic context, including poverty, attachment, nourishment, and safety, which may complicate intervention and recovery efforts.

An individual’s experiences of substance use are not solely determined by one aspect of their identity but are influenced by the convergence of various social factors. Therefore, multiple identities intersect and interact with different social factors, influencing attitudes towards abstinence or openness to substance use.

Research is essential for understanding the complexities of substance use and behavioural addiction. By delving into these intersecting factors, researchers can identify patterns, risk factors, and effective interventions to promote responsible behaviours in drug-rich environments instead of relying solely on reducing the availability of substances. Recognising the multifaceted nature of substance use disorders is crucial for fostering empathy, reducing stigma and developing holistic approaches to prevention and treatment. It requires collaboration across disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, sociology, public health, and law to address this pressing societal issue comprehensively.

The Journal hopes to offer the scope for research within the field of Addiction Psychology to recognise and report trends of substance use across communities defined by age, socio-occupational roles, and genders, to name a few, equity in access for assessments and interventions for individuals and families alike and in that, develop a scientific temperament infused with an empathetic understanding of the field.

This first issue reflects our endeavour to encourage diverse forms of research in the field. We revisit neurobiological perspectives of causes and treatment approaches in substance use to understand the need for persistent and multiple treatment attempts. The vulnerabilities associated with problem technology use and social media have been highlighted. The association between those with substance use and coming into contact with law have been explored. Personality traits that might put individuals at risk for developing substance use and non-communicable diseases and their quality of life have been studied. Changes in the quality of life of families with close members undergoing treatment for substance use have been analysed.

Publishing this Journal has been made possible with the dedication of everyone on board the Society as well as well-wishers, ranging from students and colleagues, from beyond the Society who responded enthusiastically to our call for papers. In our effort to provide a platform for refining perspectives in the field of addiction psychology, we aim to make the Journal available every quarter.

We sincerely hope that readers will find the Journal relevant, raise pertinent questions and seek answers to add to existing knowledge for substance use and treatment polices.

Journal of Society for Addiction Psychology | Volume 1 | Issue 1 | March 2024 Page 10-11