Substance use/abuse and anxiety sensitivity: what are the relationships?

The eight articles in this special issue on anxiety sensitivity (AS) and substance abuse provide provocative new information on the relationships, or lack of relationships, between AS and several types of substance use and abuse. The eight articles provide data that extend our understanding of the role of AS in substance abuse with younger people, people who use substances other than alcohol, people who have disorders comorbid with substance use disorders, and people who experience chronic headaches. In addition, one of the articles attempts to determine how AS develops in relationship to parental substance abuse. Finally, several of the studies show that the three Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) subscales (physical concerns, social concerns, and psychological concerns) are uniquely associated with different aspects of substance use/abuse. Each of the articles is discussed as to its merits and potential domains that may require additional research. Finally, several general suggestions are provided for new directions that research on the relations of AS and substance use/abuse should take.