Abstract Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychosocial adver-
sities in adolescence have been associated with an increase in substance use
disorders (SUDs). Understanding ACEs, and environmental and psycho-
logical factors associated with these disorders is imperative in designing
and implementing appropriate interventions to address SUDs. This chap-
ter adopts a developmental perspective to review the underlying mecha-
nisms of SUDs. Whereas early models of SUDs such as the brain disease
model, social learning theory, and the moral model provide a useful base
for understanding the mechanisms involved in the aetiology of these18
conditions, recent models of SUDs have adopted multimodal and devel-
opmental SUDs approaches which emphasise the role of experiences of
adversity at key stages of development. The main advantage of the multi-
modal and developmental perspective is that it offers a holistic view of
SUDs as a process, highlighting the interaction of multiple contributory
factors over the lifespan. This chapter, therefore, explores prominent
models of SUDs, and the role of different biological, social, and psycho-
logical factors during childhood and adolescence in the development and
maintenance of SUDs.
Keywords Developmental influences • Brain disease model • Social
learning theory • Dependence • Neurobiological factors • Psychosocial
challenges • Genetics • Substance use disorders

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