The SCICONX Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research (JDAR) operates under an open access publishing model to ensure that all published research is freely available to readers worldwide without subscription barriers. To support the costs associated with high-quality scholarly publishing, the journal may apply an Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted manuscripts.

This page provides transparent information regarding the purpose, structure, and principles governing APCs at JDAR.

✨ Purpose of Article Processing Charges

APCs help cover the operational and quality-related costs of publishing, including:

• Editorial office management and administration
• Peer review coordination and oversight
• Manuscript screening and plagiarism checks
• Copyediting, typesetting, and formatting
• Online hosting and digital archiving
• Website maintenance and platform support
• Long-term preservation and accessibility
• Journal development and quality improvement initiatives

APCs enable JDAR to maintain open access while ensuring professional editorial and production standards.

✨ Editorial Independence from APCs

JDAR maintains strict separation between editorial decision-making and APC-related processes. Key principles include:

• Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit and ethical compliance
• Ability or willingness to pay APCs does not influence acceptance decisions
• APC discussions occur only after a manuscript has been editorially accepted or conditionally accepted

This ensures fairness and protects the integrity of the peer review process.

✨ APC Structure

• The Standard article processing charges are 1229 Euros and these APCs are exclusive of any applicable taxes.

Note: Charges apply only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication following peer review.

✨ Timing of APC Requests

APC invoices or payment requests are issued only after:

• The manuscript has successfully completed peer review
• A formal editorial acceptance decision has been made

Authors are not required to make any payment at the time of initial submission.

✨ Payment Process

Accepted authors will receive instructions regarding:

• Applicable APC amount
• Accepted payment methods
• Payment timelines

Payment processing is handled by the journal’s administrative team and is independent of the editorial office.

✨ Refund Policy

APCs are generally non-refundable once production processes have begun. Refund requests may be considered in limited circumstances, such as:

• Administrative errors in billing
• Duplicate payments
• Exceptional cases approved by journal management

✨ Withdrawal Policy

SCICONX Publishing respects authors’ rights to request manuscript withdrawal but emphasizes that such requests should be made responsibly due to the significant time and resources invested by editors, reviewers, and the publishing team. Authors may withdraw their manuscript without penalty before peer review begins. During peer review, a valid reason—such as ethical concerns, duplication, or submission errors—must be provided. Post-acceptance withdrawal is strongly discouraged, and submitting the same manuscript to another journal without proper justification is considered unethical and may be reported. To offset editorial and processing efforts, a withdrawal fee equivalent to 40% of the Article Processing Charge (APC) may be applied for requests made after peer review starts. The Editorial Office retains the right to approve or decline withdrawal requests, particularly in cases of suspected misconduct or duplication. SCICONX encourages authors to thoroughly evaluate the journal’s scope and policies prior to submission to minimize unnecessary withdrawal requests, ensuring a smooth and ethical publishing process.

For APC-related queries or special requests, please contact us at: editorialoffice@sciconx.org

✨ Transparency and Accountability

JDAR is committed to transparency in APC policies. The journal:

• Publishes current APC rates and policies on its website
• Clearly communicates any changes in APC structure
• Provides documentation upon request for institutional reimbursement purposes

✨ Institutional Agreements and Sponsorships

Where applicable, JDAR may enter into agreements with institutions, societies, or organizations to:

• Support APC coverage
• Provide discounted publishing for affiliated authors
• Sponsor special issues or thematic collections

Such agreements are managed separately from editorial decision-making.

✨ Commitment to Ethical and Accessible Publishing

JDAR recognizes the importance of balancing sustainability with accessibility. The journal continually reviews its APC policies to:

• Support authors from diverse economic and geographic backgrounds
• Promote global participation in addiction and substance use research
• Maintain high standards of editorial and publishing quality

✨ Contact for APC Inquiries

For questions regarding APCs, and other related, authors may contact the journal’s administrative office using the official contact details provided on the JDAR website.