Drugs and Addictive Behaviour Research Group
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Drugs and Addictive Behaviour Research Group
Our group investigates biopsychosocial effects of various legal and illegal substances, as well as behavioural (process) addictions such as gambling, social media use and sex-linked behaviours. We also work closely with support organisations and people with lived experience to explore current understandings of people who seek treatment, interventions and recovery.
Our research covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Predictors of use, abstinence, and treatment outcomes in people with substance and behavioural dependencies (notably gambling).
- Under-studied populations – e.g. neurodiversity in addiction, treatment and recovery; women and the influences of menstrual changes (cycles, menopause)
- The utility of AI models in understanding treatment risks and success
- Use of novel approaches to the study of addiction and addiction treatment (e.g. non-invasive brain stimulation, VR environments, dietary change)
We work closely with our UEL colleagues in the Cognition and Neuroscience research group, the Mental Health and Social Change Research Group, and with both the Institute for Connected Communities and the Institute for the Study of Early Years.
Group aims
- Generate new knowledge and contribute to a wider public understanding of psychology and addiction, ultimately leading to better policy and practice.
- Investigate the impact of various legal and illegal psychoactive substances, and behaviours which can be dependence forming, on individuals, significant others and communities
- Explore existing and novel interventions and pathways to recovery.
Our team
Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Human Development
Senior Lecturer in Addiction Studies and Mental Health, Department of Psychology & Human Development
Professor in Psychology, Department of Psychology & Human Development
Professor of Cognitive Psychology
Research Assistant in Artificial Intelligence, Department of Psychology & Human Development
Research Assistant, Department of Psychology & Human Development
Research Assistant, Department of Psychology & Human Development
Post Grad Researcher (PGR) / PhD Student
Research Assistant
Honorary Research Fellow, School of Childhood & Social Care
Collaborations
The Drugs and Addictive Behaviour Research Group (DABRG) works with academic researchers, charities, treatment providers and professional organisations in the UK and internationally. These collaborations support research development, knowledge exchange, public engagement and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.
UK academic collaborators
Across DABRG, we work with researchers at universities and specialist services across the UK, including (but not limited to):
- Professor Samantha Banbury (London Metropolitan University)
- Dr Stephen Sharman (University of East London, Honorary Research Fellow)
- Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones OBE (Imperial College London; National Problem Gambling Clinic)
- Dr Kevin Butler (University of Lincoln)
- Dr Sharon Cox (University College London)
- Dr Lusia Perrino (University of Roehampton)
- Professor Amanda Roberts (Loughborough University)
- Dr Michelle Smith (University of Lincoln)
- Dr Philip Newall (University of Bristol)
Charity, service and professional partners
DABRG also collaborates with third-sector organisations, treatment providers and professional networks. These partnerships strengthen the relevance, reach and practical impact of the group’s work.
Addiction Professionals – a professional registration body and network supporting the UK addiction workforce; DABRG collaborates on professional engagement, dissemination and knowledge exchange.
Betknowmore UK – a charity providing gambling support, training and lived-experience-informed services.
Cranstoun – a treatment and social-justice organisation and research partner in DABRG work on neurodiversity, addiction and recovery services.
Gambling with Lives – a charity supporting families bereaved by gambling-related suicide, raising awareness and campaigning for change.
Gordon Moody – a charity providing specialist treatment and support for gambling-related harm.
ISSUP UK – the UK National Chapter of the International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals, established as a consortium of Addiction Professionals, Adfam and the University of East London.
Level Ground Therapy – a specialist gambling-addiction therapy practice founded by Liz Karter MBE.
thrivin’ together CIC – a peer-led community supporting women affected by their own or someone else’s gambling.
Ygam – a charity working to prevent gaming and gambling harms among children and young people through education, awareness and research.
International
DABRG collaborates with researchers and institutions internationally, supporting shared research, publications and knowledge exchange, including (but not limited to):
- Dr Elena Gomis Vicent (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Brain Health Unit, Universidad Católica de Valencia)
- Professor Julie Buckner (Louisiana State University, USA)
- Associate Professor Luke Clark (University of British Columbia, Canada)
- Assistant Professor Helen Fox (Stony Brook University, New York, USA)
- Dr Kevin Hill (Harvard Medical School, USA)
- Dr Meeyoung O. Min (Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA)
- Dr Raegan Murphy (University College Cork, Ireland)
- Dr Alvaro Pascual-Leone (Harvard Medical School, USA)
- Professor Lynn Singer (Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA)
