Which emerging direction in substance use disorder research and practice involves tailoring treatment based on genetics and biomarkers?

• A. Personalized Medicine With Genetics And Biomarkers
• B. Standard Pharmacotherapy For All Patients
• C. One-Size-Fits-All Behavioral Therapies
• D. Minimal Integration Of Care

Answer: (A)

Tailoring treatment to an individual's genetics and biomarkers is the essence of personalized medicine in substance use disorders. This approach uses genetic information and biological indicators to predict which medications or therapies will work best for a given person, how they should be dosed, and when to adjust treatment to maximize benefit and minimize harm. By looking at how a person’s biology influences drug metabolism, receptor signaling, or relapse risk (through biomarkers such as blood markers or imaging findings), clinicians can choose interventions that are more likely to be effective for that individual rather than applying the same plan to everyone.

This stands in contrast to applying the same pharmacotherapy to all patients, delivering generic behavioral therapies without tailoring to biology, or providing care that isn’t well integrated across services. All of those lack the biological personalization that characterizes this emerging direction.