Alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD) are chronic, relapsing psychiatric conditions with significant individual and public health implications. While their neuropsychiatric effects are well documented, their dermatological manifestations often remain under-recognized in clinical practice, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This narrative review systematically explores skin findings associated with the use of alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, stimulants, and tobacco, based on recent literature. Alcohol is frequently linked with telangiectasias, seborrheic dermatitis, pruritus, and rosacea-like eruptions. Opioid use often results in pruritus, ulcerations, and scarring at injection sites. Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines are associated with vasculitic rashes, formication-induced excoriations, and ulcerative dermatoses. Cannabis, hallucinogens, and inhalants may cause contact dermatitis, pigmentary changes, and perioral lesions. Tobacco use, though legally sanctioned, significantly contributes to premature skin aging and exacerbation of chronic inflammatory dermatoses. Early recognition of these dermatologic signs may serve as clinical clues, aiding in the timely diagnosis of ASUD. Integrating dermatological evaluation into addiction treatment protocols can improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary investigations. This review emphasizes the importance of skin manifestations in ASUD and encourages greater clinical attention and multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing these often-overlooked indicators.

In recent years, addiction research has emphasized that substance use behavior should not be understood solely through biological mechanisms, but rather through multidimensional frameworks that include psychosocial and cultural variables. The aim of this review study is to comparatively examine the impact of addiction theories on Turkish individuals living in Turkey and Europe, with attention to their sociocultural contexts. The study was designed as a qualitative meta-analysis, and a systematic review of publications from 2010 to 2025 was conducted using databases including ULAKBİM, DergiPark, Scopus, and Web of Science. Selected studies were analyzed through theoretical frameworks such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Social Learning Theory (SLT), psychodynamic, and biological models. Thematic analysis indicated that addiction in Turkey is primarily shaped by cultural norms and social learning processes, whereas Turkish immigrants in Europe are more affected by factors like discrimination, language barriers, and identity conflicts. Group therapy and culturally adapted interventions have been found to offer sensitive and effective responses to these challenges. The findings underscore the necessity of developing culturally sensitive clinical models that integrate dynamics of identity, belonging, and social exclusion.