A review of the general research on the psychopathology of substance abusers and alcoholics is followed by summaries of research on the specific psychopathologies of opiate addicts, stimulant abusers, and CNS depressant abusers. Research on familial factors in alcoholism and substance abuse is discussed. The survey of current research on evaluative and diagnostic techniques covers the use of structured interviews and psychiatric rating scales as well as the use of laboratory measures. Research on treatment and followup is addressed, as is research on new pharmacologic approaches to treatment; the latter focuses on cocaine abusers and opiate abusers. The paper concludes that despite advances in the understanding of the addictive disorders and the expansion of treatment services for these patients, research has not yet revealed the precise effects of abused drugs on the human brain or the psychosocial and pharmacologic factors which contribute to their repetitive use. 68 references.