SOCIDROGALCOHOL: the Spanish Scientific Society for the Study of Alcohol, Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies.

Abstract

Founded in 1969, SOCIDROGALCOHOL is a reference point for professionals interested in drug dependencies, both for Spaniards and for professionals belonging to Spanish-speaking areas. In its 32 years of existence SOCIDROGALCOHOL has spread to all the regions of Spain and most of the Latin-American countries. In the past 5 years SOCIDROGALCOHOL has undergone notable growth, increasing the number of members (from 460 to 816), as well as the number of scientific activities carried out. The National Conferences represent an annual meeting point for the members, where multiple scientific sessions take place, as well as the ordinary general assembly. They are usually held in the spring and last 3 days, with an attendance of around 400 professionals. Within the field of ongoing training, SOCIDROGALCOHOL also carries out other activities: the Autumn School, the Latin-American Virtual Congress of Drug Dependence, distance learning courses, etc. Special mention should be made to the official journal of the Society, Adicciones, founded in 1989. Adicciones is published quarterly in Spanish and its articles are subjected to peer review; 2000 copies of each issue are published. The abstracts can be accessed free on the website of the Society, www.SOCIDROGALCOHOL.org. In this paper the most relevant historical aspects of SOCIDROGALCOHOL will be summarized, along with its current activities and future perspectives.