Fresh Perspectives: Addiction Editorial Board Welcomes New Experts
"Discover how new appointments to Addiction's Editorial Board are set to shape the future of addiction research and treatment strategies."
The journal Addiction is poised for an exciting phase with the addition of new members to its Editorial Board. These appointments signal a commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges of addiction with innovative approaches and a broader range of expertise. This article explores the new faces joining Addiction, highlighting their backgrounds and the specific areas they will influence.
The Editorial Board plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of addiction research and influencing public health strategies. With the addition of Assistant Commissioning Editor Dr. Sterling McPherson, and six new Assistant Editors, Addiction aims to strengthen its coverage and insights into critical areas such as cognitive control, behavioral interventions, and the impact of public health policies.
This article will delve into the backgrounds of the new editors, outlining their expertise and how their work aligns with the journal's mission. It will also touch on the contributions of outgoing editors, acknowledging their impact on the field.
Tracking Treatment and Addiction Research
The National Addiction & Health Data Archive Program (NAHDAP) acquires, preserves, and disseminates data relevant to drug addiction and health research. SAMHSA has released the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2024 annual report, covering admissions to and discharges from substance use treatment services reported by single state agencies. These sources point to ongoing efforts to organize research data and report treatment activity, but the supplied material does not provide a current prevalence or impact estimate.
How Addiction Treatment Has Evolved
Recovery.org describes a timeline of major addiction-treatment milestones from the mid-18th century to the present, including movements, institutions, and innovations that continue to shape treatment. Other overviews frame this history as an evolution from ancient practices toward modern rehabilitation and changing views of addiction as a disease. Together, these sources present treatment history as a long-running shift in both practice and understanding, though the supplied summaries do not identify particular dates or discoveries.
Meet the New Editorial Board Members: Expertise and Focus
The newly appointed Assistant Editors bring a wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives to Addiction. Their expertise spans a range of critical areas within addiction research and treatment. Here's a closer look at what each new member brings to the table:
- Dr. Jordan Braciszewski: Specializing in health policy and health services research at Henry Ford Health System, Dr. Braciszewski's work focuses on multisite clinical trials and longitudinal epidemiology. His expertise will enhance the journal's coverage of clinical research and public health interventions.
- Dr. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce: From the University of Oxford, Dr. Hartmann-Boyce focuses on tobacco, health behaviors, and systematic reviews of interventions targeting tobacco control and obesity. Her insights will be invaluable in addressing the intersection of addiction and public health policies.
- Dr. Anja Kraeplin: Affiliated with Technische Universität Dresden, Dr. Kraeplin's research explores the role of impaired cognitive control in addiction. Her work will contribute to a deeper understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying addictive behaviors.
- Dr. Julia Lappin: Representing the University of New South Wales, Dr. Lappin's expertise lies in psychopathology and psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Her insights will be crucial in addressing the mental health aspects of addiction.
- Dr. Seonaid Nolan: From the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Dr. Nolan specializes in addiction and health services research, with a focus on cohort and longitudinal studies. Her work will enhance the journal's coverage of long-term trends and outcomes in addiction treatment.
- Dr. Carla J. Rash: At the University of Connecticut, Dr. Rash focuses on clinical psychology and behavioral interventions, particularly contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy. Her expertise will contribute to the journal's coverage of evidence-based treatment approaches.
Therapy and New Perspectives
The Cleveland Clinic describes therapy as one approach that can help people with addiction gain new perspectives and change their behavior. Its overview identifies therapy as part of addiction treatment, but the supplied source summary does not specify particular therapy types, study findings, or comparative outcomes. This supports a general point: treatment can include therapeutic work aimed at shifts in perspective and behavior.
Limits of Labels and Treatment Systems
Psychology Today cautions that there is no single “addictive personality” type that clearly predicts who will experience addiction, even though traits such as difficulty tolerating distress or strong feelings have been associated with it. American Addiction Centers notes that substance and behavioral addictions share attributes such as difficulties with emotion regulation and control. A review focused on Europe describes both policy failures and successes in responses to substance-use treatment, while another investigation examines barriers and facilitators to treatment in integrated care. These sources highlight the limits of simple personality labels and the role of treatment and policy contexts.
Matching Treatment to Individual Needs
The evidence-based treatment comparison says treatment selection should be individualized according to addiction type, severity, co-occurring conditions, and patient preferences while retaining fidelity to evidence-based protocols. It adds that process addictions need similarly comprehensive approaches adapted to behavioral patterns. A 2020 study description notes that clinical trials show medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to be more effective than nonpharmacologic treatment, while national data on real-world treatment pathways were lacking. Another supplied source reports that combined cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy outperformed usual care and pharmacotherapy alone across multiple substance types.
Honoring Past Contributions and Looking Ahead
The journal also acknowledges the contributions of outgoing Assistant Editors Julia Arnsten, Linda Gowing, and Jürgen Rehm. Their dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the journal's success and impact on the field.
Addiction in a Wider System
A 2020 chapter describes severe substance use disorder and recovery through a systemic lens, identifying attachment, adverse childhood experiences, parenting, and peers as factors that can increase the probability of severe disorder. A 2025 family-focused source says substance use disorders affect family dynamics and contribute to broader relational and systemic challenges. The NIH also notes that alcohol and drug addiction can cause many harms and points to research on causes and new treatment approaches. Together, these sources frame addiction and recovery in relation to personal, family, and wider systems.
Recovery Through Real-World Cases
The supplied case-study sources describe real-world accounts as a way to examine addiction intervention and recovery support outcomes. One source characterizes intervention case studies as detailed, evidence-based examinations of outcomes, while another describes a drug-addiction case study focused on causes, effects, and treatment strategies. A further case-study summary highlights recovery challenges, strategies, and the importance of support systems. The supplied summaries do not include individual case details or measured outcomes.
With the new Editorial Board in place, Addiction is well-positioned to continue advancing our understanding of addiction and promoting evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and policy. The diverse expertise and fresh perspectives of the new members will undoubtedly shape the future of addiction research and practice.
The commitment to rigorous research and innovative approaches promises to make Addiction an even more valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers alike.