Addiction Research and Therapy in the 21st Century: Providing a Forum for Evidence -Based Addiction Medicine

Abstract

It is our honor and pleasure to accept positions as Editors-in Chief and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy. Firstly we applaud and would like to congratulate the previous Editor-in-Chief M. Foster Olive PhD., for establishing the journal as a valuable research and clinical resource. He brought prominent addiction researchers and thinkers to the board of editors and published a number of important peer reviewed articles. Due to his arduous efforts the journal achieved an internal impact factor of 1.33 and Index Copernicus value of 5.63. As we approach the journals’, next era, we take the opportunity to wish Dr. Olive continued scientific success and on behalf of the Omics Group we thank him for bringing the journal to this new height. As new editors, we will strive to continue to enhance scientific standing of the journal and establish it as one of the most reliable resources for addiction research and therapy. To achieve this goal we will continue to encourage authors to submit their best research material to the journal. We will publish high quality research studies such as original scientific articles; case reports; reviews; mini-reviews; editorials; commentaries; short clinical synopses; meta analyses; and book reviews. The journal uses an advanced online system for submission, peer review and editorial decisions. As editors, we are interested in innovative approaches in addiction research and therapy. We encourage evidence–based scientifically sound manuscripts pertaining to all aspects of addiction. We will publish both animal and human studies and will welcome novel methods relevant to addiction research. We are particularly interested in addiction research in areas of genomics, pharmacogenomics, neuroimaging, nutrigenomics, molecular neurobiology, pharmacology, neurogenetics, and clinical trials. We encourage articles involving genome-wide DNA methylation mapping and gene expression including histone replacement, messenger RNA interference (miRNA) as well any other epigenetic studies. The journal will promote an open discussion of novel hypotheses to provide readers with a global understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of addiction research and treatment. As editors, we are cognizant of holistic approaches that promote recovery. We will, therefore, support studies on the molecular biology and genetics of the 12-step program and the role of genes in acceptance or non-acceptance of a higher power in the context of recovery. We encourage research on genetic vulnerability to various forms of addiction (sex, gaming, internet, shopping etc). Studies on neurobiological mechanism of all forms of addiction will also be an area of interest. The journal seeks articles that evaluate validity of the definition of addiction proposed by various scientific entities including the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) [1]. Articles that address the endemic of iatrogenic addiction are highly encouraged because of increasing global prevalence of prescription-induced opioid addiction. The journal is seeking articles that can provide evidence-based research on chronic pain and non-opioid pain treatment. We will welcome research into novel methods that utilize blood and urine analyses to monitor both prescription medication assisted treatment (compliance) and abstinence. We enthusiastically encourage articles from clinical practitioners. Clinical trials should be compliant with the FDA, NIH and IRB regulations. We have considerable interest in articles on methodology related to early diagnosis, especially in children. Being aware of the need for upholding parity laws especially as they relate to third party insurance payment, from time to time, the editors plan to invite experts in treatment reimbursement and laws that relate to utilization of medical necessity to provide updated reviews. Our on-going commitment is to lobby for enhanced funding for addition research in a concerted effort to reduce prevalence of addiction at the global level. Our editorial mission is to propagate knowledge that would allow every individual to enjoy the reward of our human legacy, the experience of pleasure and the ability to cope with life’s stressors free from the need for addictive substances or behaviors.