Addiction: a journal and its Invisible College.

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Scholarly publishing
• Scientific journal evolution

Background:

• The journal Addiction, founded in 1884, has a long history within the Society for the Study of Addiction.
• This paper reflects on the journal's development from a lecture given upon the author's retirement as Editor-in-Chief.

Observation:

• The journal's historical trajectory has been shaped by its dynamic relationship with its readership, termed the 'Invisible College'.
• Fluctuations in engagement with this community have impacted the journal's success over its 120-year history.

Findings:

• The journal possesses a clear, multifaceted vision for its purpose and actively seeks to influence its future.
• Success is intrinsically linked to the journal's ability to reflect the aspirations and concerns of its readers.

Implications:

• The journal's future success depends on nurturing a robust, two-way relationship with its scientific community.
• Adopting a 'journal of the second kind' approach, which actively engages with and is shaped by its readers, is crucial.