For many years, addiction research focused almost exclusively on men. Yet scientific awareness of sex and gender differences in substance use disorders has grown tremendously in recent decades. This volume brings together leading authorities to review the state of the science and identify key directions for research and clinical practice. Concise, focused chapters illuminate how biological and psychosocial factors influence the etiology and epidemiology of substance use disorders in women; their clinical presentation, course, and psychiatric comorbidities; treatment access; and treatment effectiveness. Prevalent substances of abuse are examined, as are issues facing special populations.

Kathleen T. Brady, MD, PhD, is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in addiction psychiatry. As Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Brady is Director of the Clinical Neuroscience Division, Director of the Women’s Research Center, Director of the General Clinical Research Center, and Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research. Dr. Brady’s research interests are in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse/addiction and comorbid conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders. She has received numerous awards for her research, teaching, and clinical work, and has been listed in Best Doctors in America since 1998.

Sudie E. Back, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Director of the Drug Abuse Research Training program for psychiatry residents at the Medical University of South Carolina. She serves as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on numerous federally funded research projects. Her current research involves prescription opioid dependence, the integrated psychosocial treatment of substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder, and gender. The ultimate aim of this line of research is to improve the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders. Dr. Back also maintains a small clinical practice.

Shelly F. Greenfield, MD, MPH, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Chief Academic Officer and Director of Clinical and Health Services Research and Education, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts. An award-winning researcher, Dr. Greenfield serves as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on federally funded research focusing on treatment for substance use disorders, gender differences in substance disorders, and health services for substance disorders. She is also Director of the Harvard Medical School/Partners Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship and Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry.