Clinical addictions

Problem

The use of psychoactive substances, both legal and illegal, is a widespread phenomenon in contemporary societies, often without sufficient awareness of their short- and long-term harms. Despite the commercial interests of some corporations, the health and social costs fall on individuals, families, and communities. We understand addictions as a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, resulting from the interaction between biological vulnerabilities, psychological factors, social determinants, and public policies, addressing both risk mechanisms and the structural factors that perpetuate inequality, stigma, and exclusion.

Approach

Our research is based on a comprehensive, life-course perspective that combines clinical, psychological, social, and public health approaches. We analyze the transition from initial use to addiction, with a specific focus on individuals with high clinical and social complexity, where addictions often coexist with severe mental disorders, chronic medical conditions, and vulnerable situations. The main lines of research include comorbidity, cannabis use, public health, digital health, and the cross-cutting integration of a sex and gender perspective.

Impact

The ultimate goal of our research is to reduce individual and social harms through usable, transferable, and ethical knowledge. We aim to improve prevention, informed decision-making, and the development of interventions that respect personal agency. The group has contributed to standardized units such as the Standard Drink Unit and the Standard Cannabis Unit, key tools for assessing risks, guiding clinical practice and public health policies, and reducing the stigma associated with addictions.