✦ Aims of the Journal:

The SCICONX Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research (JDAR) is dedicated to advancing comprehensive, high-quality, and ethically conducted research that enhances scientific, clinical, and societal understanding of drug use, alcohol consumption, substance use disorders, and related behavioural addictions.

The primary aim of the journal is to serve as an authoritative international platform for the dissemination of innovative and impactful research that informs prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and policy development related to substance use and addiction. The journal seeks to promote evidence-based practices and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across biomedical, psychological, public health, and social science domains.

JDAR aims to:

• Promote the generation and dissemination of original scientific knowledge on drugs, alcohol, and addiction
• Support translational research that bridges basic science and clinical application
• Encourage research that informs prevention strategies, early intervention, and harm reduction
• Facilitate the exchange of global perspectives and region-specific research findings
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines and public health policies
• Foster ethical, responsible, and patient-centred research practices

✦ Scope of the Journal:

The scope of JDAR is broad and multidisciplinary, reflecting the complex and multifactorial nature of substance use and addiction. The journal welcomes submissions that address biological, clinical, behavioural, social, cultural, economic, and policy-related dimensions of drug and alcohol research.

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences:

The journal publishes research related to the biological and clinical aspects of drug and alcohol use, including but not limited to:

• Pathophysiology and neurobiological mechanisms of addiction
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of substances of abuse
• Clinical assessment and diagnosis of substance use disorders
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches
• Personalized and precision medicine in addiction treatment
• Adverse health outcomes and substance-related medical complications
• Co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions

Psychological and Behavioural Research:

JDAR encourages submissions exploring psychological and behavioural factors associated with substance use and addiction, including:

• Cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes in substance use
• Behavioural patterns and trajectories of drug and alcohol use
• Psychological risk and protective factors
• Family, interpersonal, and social influences
• Trauma, stress, and addiction vulnerability
• Behavioural addictions and compulsive behaviours
• Recovery-oriented psychological interventions

Public Health and Epidemiology:

The journal welcomes population-level and public health-focused research, including:

• Epidemiological trends and surveillance of substance use
• Prevention and early intervention strategies
• Community-based and school-based prevention programs
• Health disparities and inequities in substance use outcomes
• Burden of disease and economic impact of substance use
• Global health perspectives on drugs and alcohol
• Program evaluation and implementation science

Policy, Law, and Ethical Perspectives:

JDAR recognizes the importance of policy and regulatory frameworks and invites research and analyses related to:

• National and international drug and alcohol policies
• Regulatory and legal approaches to substance control
• Ethical challenges in addiction research and treatment
• Human rights and access to care
• Health system responses to substance use disorders
• Policy evaluation and evidence-informed policymaking

Social, Cultural, and Environmental Contexts:

The journal supports research examining the broader social and cultural dimensions of substance use, including:

• Cultural norms and societal attitudes toward substance use
• Social determinants of health and addiction
• Workplace, family, and community influences
• Media, technology, and substance-related behaviours
• Environmental and contextual risk factors
• Migration, urbanization, and substance use patterns

Emerging and Interdisciplinary Areas:

JDAR actively encourages innovative and interdisciplinary research in emerging fields, including:

• Digital interventions and telehealth for addiction treatment
• Artificial intelligence and data science in addiction research
• Novel psychoactive substances and evolving drug markets
• Genomics and biomarkers in addiction
• Integrated care models and collaborative approaches
• Substance use in special and vulnerable populations
• Cross-cultural and comparative addiction research

✦ Article Types Within Scope:

The journal considers a wide range of scholarly contributions, including:

• Original Research Articles
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
• Narrative Reviews and Mini Reviews
• Clinical and Translational Studies
• Short Communications
• Case Reports and Case Series
• Public Health Reports and Policy Analyses
• Perspectives, Commentaries, and Expert Opinions

✦ Commitment to Quality and Impact

The SCICONX Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research is committed to publishing research that demonstrates scientific rigor, methodological transparency, and ethical integrity. The journal prioritizes work that has clear implications for clinical practice, public health improvement, policy development, and future research directions.

By embracing a broad and inclusive scope, JDAR seeks to become a leading international forum for advancing knowledge, improving outcomes, and supporting evidence-based responses to the complex global challenges associated with drug and alcohol use.