Methodological Issues in the Etiology of Drug Abuse

It is the purpose of this paper to examine the role of etiological research in the study of drug abuse, the problems in etiological research imposed by the nature of the phenomenon of drug abuse and the dominance of epidemiological studies, and to offer some suggestions for advancing research on the etiology of drug abuse. It is argued that the statistical rarity of drug abuse and the pressure to conduct epidemiological studies have resulted in the application of the methodology that does not meet the needs of etiological research. Suggestions are made that research on the initiation, continuation or cessation of drug abuse must develop a procedure for integrating conceptually and methodologically the variety of substances used simultaneously and sequentially. Further, it is suggested that research must integrate the power of survey methodology and statistical explanation with the understanding of the subject's perception and definition of the initiation and sustaining of use.