Drug abuse research and theory has become much more sophisticated over the last 2 decades,and some of the advancements parallel concepts that are part of the developmentalpsychopathology approach. The application of the developmental psychopathology perspective torecent drug abuse research findings can provide a greater understanding of that information andpoint to important areas of future research. Among the drug abuse research areas discussed hereand viewed from this perspective are antecedent and co-occurring psychopathological conditionsand other problem behaviors; the diversity of the nature of, paths to, and processes and outcomesrelated to drug abuse; the role of intermediary influences; the interaction of individual andenvironmental predisposing and protective factors; the role of families and other social institutionsin intervention; and developmental stage characteristics. Directions for future research are alsodiscussed.