Toward a solution-focused addiction science

During the past 50 years there has been immense progress in our understanding of the etiology, pharmacology, neurobiology, epidemiology, and typologies of alcohol and other drug use disorders that has given rise to numerous novel pharmacological and behavioral treatments and recovery support services. Consequently, much has been documented and published regarding the causes and effects of drug use, addiction, related pathologies, and myriad modes of treatment. While such progress is to be celebrated, significant challenges nevertheless remain. This paper describes a novel perspective that proposes to enhance the effectiveness of our international efforts in addressing endemic drug problems through rigorous investigation into the successful long-term solutions that exist within the lived experiences of individuals, families, and communities. In this regard, such solutions are proposed to exist on a continuum of change spanning five domains: resistance, resilience, risk minimization, remission, and recovery, with each viewed as an independent achievement or as stages within a larger process of personal change. Ultimately, it is argued that the frontiers of addiction research lie in extending our study of the problem to include an intense focus on the prevalence, pathways, processes, styles, and stages inherent within these five domains.