Drug and alcohol use are common with some individuals becoming dependent or addicted. There are a range of evidence-based treatments for drug and alcohol addiction however some have limited effectiveness. We urgently need to develop new approaches to improve outcomes. It is important to understand how drug and alcohol abuse and addiction is related to mental and physical health challenges, but it can be unhelpful to label one as ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’. They may have shared vulnerability and will need treating concurrently, yet the evidence-base to guide treatments in the context of multimorbidity is very limited. The Addiction Mission, led by the Office of Life Sciences, is focused on increasing the evidence base around interventions. More research in drug and alcohol addiction is needed not only to improve outcomes in addiction but also co-occurring mental and physical health issues.

3 REASONS TO CONSIDER ADDICTION RESEARCH

1. Relevant: many patients with mental health problems will have drug and/or alcohol problems.
2. Opportunity: addiction and its comorbidities are receiving more attention and funding than ever across the UK.
3. Many different professions work with individuals to change their relationship with drugs/alcohol and are a vital part of research too.