
Helping bridge the gap between addiction research and clinical practice
The Mental Health Incubator Addictions Research and Practice SIG is dedicated to breaking down barriers to innovation in addiction healthcare.
Our mission is to create a platform that streamlines the translation of academic research into practical applications through collaborative discussions with multidisciplinary teams delivering addiction care. By bringing cutting-edge developments in addiction science to the forefront of those in patient-facing roles, we aim to enhance the integration of novel practices, technologies, and theories into clinical settings. Additionally, we seek to synthesise actionable practice recommendations by thematic areas and foster a greater awareness around drug and alcohol addiction, as well as research methodologies.
Our goals
To help bridge the gap between addiction research and implementation into clinical practice
To bring together a transdisciplinary group of researchers, practitioners and service providers with a shared interest in improving healthcare provision and knowledge surrounding addictions
To generate a series of feasible practice and research recommendations that will lead to improvements in addiction services
To build networks and foster collaboration between addiction service providers and academic researchers
To inform and contribute to policy development by providing evidence-based insights and recommendations that support effective addiction treatment and reduce barriers to accessing care.
June 2nd 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Alcohol dependence
Alcohol related brain damage
July 7th 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Alcohol dependence
Harm-reduction medications
August 4th 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Alcohol dependence
Strategies for the management of alcohol withdrawal
September 1st 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Alcohol dependence
Review of translation to practice recommendations
October 6th 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Opioid dependence
Long-acting injectable buprenorphine
November 3rd 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Opioid dependence
Considerations for pain management in opioid dependent patients
December 1st 2025
16:00 - 17:00
Theme: Opioid dependence
Review of translation to practice recommendations
A multi-disciplinary group dedicated to improving outcomes of individuals living with addictions.
Darren Quelch
Academic Lead
Darren is a senior research fellow within the addictions research group at the University of South Wales and the alcohol care and clinical toxicology team at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. He has a background in psychopharmacology, and clinical practice, and has a particular interest in alcohol dependence, alcohol related brain damage and alcohol withdrawal management.
Nyle Davies
Academic Lead
Nyle is a Senior Research Assistant at the University of South Wales, working across the Addictions Research Group and the Housing and Health Research Network. His research focuses on addiction, screening and intervention, psychometric testing, and public health strategies, with a particular interest in the intersection of addiction, housing, and health for vulnerable populations.
Darren and Nyle are part of the Addictions Research Group at the University of South Wales which was co-founded by Professor Bev John and Professor Gareth Roderique-Davies.
Sue Gwyn
Third sector Lead
Sue is CEO of Brynawel House, Wales foremost residential rehab. Sue is a mental health nurse and has worked in the clinical and managerial delivery of addiction services for thirty years.
Katy Holloway
Policy Lead
Katy is a leading figure in substance use research and her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to harm reduction. As Director of the Substance Use Research Group at the University of South Wales and a member of the UK Government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, she plays a key role in shaping evidence-based policies to reduce drug-related harm and improve public health outcomes across the UK.
Arlene Copland
Nurse Lead
Arlene is an alcohol nurse consultant at the Sandwell and West Brimingham NHS Trust. She is also a visiting Professor within the addictions research group at the University of South Wales. She has over twenty years experience in the management of alcohol related ill-health and has previously held national positions such as Alcohol Nurse Lead for NHS-England.
Sally Bradberry
Medicine Lead
Sally is a clinical toxicology consultant and the Sandwell and West Brimingham NHS Trust alcohol lead. She has over thirty years experience in the management of acute drug and alcohol related presentations to medical services. Sally is also an Honorary Professor within the School of Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia, the School of Biosciences, at the University of Birmingham and Visiting Professor at the University of South Wales.
Fabrizio Schifano
Psychiatry Lead
Fabrizio is Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Head of the ‘Psychopharmacology, Drugs of Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances’ Research Unit in the Department of Clinical Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire. He is also lead Consultant Psychiatrist for drug and alcohol for West Sussex. Fabrizio also services on a number of expert committees including the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD; 2023-4) and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA; (2024-2028).
Elwyn Thomas
PPI and Co-production Lead
Elwyn is as the Co-Production lead for Kaleidoscope, a large not-for-profit drug and alcohol service. He has a wealth of knowledge and skills working within a clinical team, criminal justice prescribing and experience with Tier 4 detox. Elwyn is involved in numerous advisory groups for Welsh Government Funded Projects. He is regularly requested as a speaker on major media platforms and sits on the Cross-Party Group for Substance Use at the Senedd. He is renowned for his unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact on individuals and communities grappling with problematic substance use issues.
For recommended addiction reading and resources, see our list below:
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- https://alcoholchange.org.uk/publication/feeding-recovery-handbook
- https://arbd.net/who-we-are/
- https://www.drinkanddrugsnews.com/
- https://www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/
- https://ahauk.org/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/independent-review-of-drugs-by-professor-dame-carol-black
- https://mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/addiction-research-is-part-of-mental-health-research/
- https://mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/opportunities-update/
To join, please email the below email address. The Addiction Special Interest Group is run by Darren Quelch and Nyle Davies - please direct all queries to them.