About this Research Topic

Background

In recent years, the landscape of substance abuse has shifted significantly, marked by a surge in mortality rates linked to stimulant use such as methamphetamine and cocaine. This transition to a new phase of the opioid epidemic has brought forth substantial clinical challenges, particularly due to a shift toward the inclusion of potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl in the drug milieu. The pronounced lack of formal clinical guidance for managing the complex comorbidities associated with stimulant misuse underscores an urgent need for focused research and development of tailored treatment protocols.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of stimulant use disorders alongside the various concurrent disorders they engender, aiming to forge pathways for enhanced therapeutic outcomes. The objective is to cultivate a rich base of scientific knowledge, propelling forward the creation of actionable, evidence-based clinical guidelines that effectively address both the psychiatric and physical health sequelae stemming from stimulant dependency.

To further alleviate the current deficits in clinical handling and promote a more refined approach towards managing stimulant-related disorders, this Research Topic invites submissions on stimulant use disorder, related concurrent disorders, and related sequelae in the form of Opinion, Original Research, Review articles, and Systematic Review articles.

We welcome contributions that are not limited to, but include the following themes:

- Empirical studies on pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments for stimulant use disorder.
- Investigations into the management of stimulant-induced psychosis or long-term effects of stimulant use.
- Development and critique of clinical guidelines for simultaneous management of opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder and related psychotic conditions or ADHD.
- Research on the interplay between ADHD and stimulant use disorder.
- Evaluations of efficacy and safety in the use of stimulants for treating stimulant use disorders.
- Explorations of tertiary prevention and harm reduction strategies for stimulant users.
- Collaborative research involving people with direct experience of stimulant or other substance use disorders.
- Epidemiological assessments of stimulant use disorder and its complex interactions with other psychiatric and substance use issues.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Stimulant use disorder, Opioid use disorder, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack, ADHD, Substance-induced psychosis, Opioids, Fentanyl

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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