Refining Substance Use Classification: An Ontological Framework for Enhancing Large-Scale Data Collection

Substance use disorders (SUD) remain prevalent in the United States. The Office of Addiction Services and Support plays a critical role in tracking SUD trends in New York State and reports data to the federal system. However, ambiguities in substance classification pose challenges to data accuracy and consistency. To address these issues, we developed the foundations for the Addiction Substance Ontology (ASO) using Basic Formal Ontology principles. Definitions in the ASO are expressed in terms of genus and differentiae which form the backbone for a taxonomy of substances in function of their chemical composition and certain other characteristics essential for tracking their acquisition and use. While 143 classes have been developed thus far based on a specific program admission use case, pilot testing and stakeholder collaboration are necessary to refine the ASO and validate its application in real-world settings. These efforts aim to improve data reliability, enhance tracking of SUD patterns, and support effective public health interventions.