Addictive products, behaviours and systems

NIHR Policy Research Units (PRUs) undertake research to inform government and arms-length bodies making policy decisions about health and social care. The units create a critical mass of experts for research in priority areas for health and social care policy.

The NIHR PRU in Addictions is one of 20 new PRUs across England which were awarded over £100 million in total and commenced 1 January 2024.

The NIHR PRU in Addictions will work with the Department of Health & Social Care and other stakeholders, including professionals and people with lived and living experience of addictive behaviours. It will support identification, analysis, implementation, evaluation and adaptation of policies across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery. There are five main themes:

• tobacco/nicotine
• alcohol
• illicit & other drugs
• gambling
• public and patient involvement and engagement

Ask the PRU in Addictions

The PRU in Addictions welcomes contact requests from addictions policy stakeholders who are interested in seeking advice on policy and research from a member of our expert academic team.

Please use this link and complete the form outlining the nature of your request. One of the team will reply to confirm a time slot and arrange a phone call or meeting between you and our researcher team. During the meeting an academic from the PRU will then speak to you about your request and follow up with a written report. We will also agree to follow up with you at a future date to review any outcomes from the meeting.

If you would like any further information before submitting a request, please contact the PRU in Addictions project manager Rhys Mason-Dunn at rhys.mason-dunn@kcl.ac.uk.

This Policy Research Unit is funded by the NIHR. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.