Addiction (Substance Use and Misuse)

Addiction (Substance Use and Misuse)

Colleges: CVM, EFSCOM, CAS, CON, CON, COP, Murrow

The use of drugs by humans can have both positive and damaging impacts on individuals and society. Teams at WSU conduct activities to understand, treat and prevent addiction and the various consequences associated with substance use and misuse disorders. The work spans levels of analysis starting with our laboratory-based foundational science work and continuing into our clinical and epidemiologic work and culminating in our work on communication and prevention. Research is also conducted focusing on co-occurring conditions (psychiatric and physical) such as pain. The Program of Excellence in Addictions Research (PEAR), is a cross-college unit conducting cutting-edge research on everything from basic human toxicology to the health economics of addiction prevention and treatment. Our program in Prevention Science also spans the entire WSU system engaging with doctoral students and faculty to develop and disseminate substance use prevention efforts. WSU is also home to the Collaboration on Cannabis Policy, Research, and Outreach (CCPRO) which assists faculty in addressing the changing landscape of cannabis legalization, medicinal cannabis use and industrial hemp production. These collaborations are facilitated by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program (ADARP) which supports all areas of addiction work through faculty pilot and bridge funding; undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral research funding; speaker series; and assistance with large equipment purchases and faculty recruitment. These combined efforts make for a highly leveraged, high intensity addiction science group capable of seeking virtually any funding related to addiction science and related areas of inquiry (e.g., other mental health disorders). WSU is home to many of the world’s leading experts in addiction science spanning basic foundational efforts to applied clinical efforts. Research is highly networked nationally and internationally with partners in industry, government (local, state and national), other universities across the country (over 30), and throughout the globe (Brazil, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and the Republic of South Africa). WSU works to develop and disseminate treatment and prevention efforts in partnership with providers, patients and family members throughout the region, country, and world.