Objective:

This article seeks to carry out a critical analysis on the clinical approach to Psychoactive Substance Abuse (PSA) in Latin America from the neuroscience viewpoint.

Methodology:

The study was carried out through a narrative review of the literature, a resource that facilitates the description and discussion related to a certain topic, which gives rise to the interpretation and critical analysis of the author.

Results:

A total of 54 articles were obtained from which four thematic lines were identified taking into account: (1) Latin American context in health and management of PSA consumption; (2) PSA consumption from the neuroscience view point; (3) alterations associated with PSA consumption; and (4) neuroscience as a useful tool for addressing PSA consumption.

Conclusion:

From the critical analysis of the literature reviewed, the broad potential of neuroscience to enrich the interdisciplinary discussion on the phenomenon of PSA use in Latin America in the fields of research, intervention and public policies on the subject is highlighted.

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