New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG)

New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group annual conference 2012

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000Z

Our annual conference will take place in Llandindrod Wells, Powys, Wales from Thursday 24th May 2012 to Sunday 27th May 2012, with the keynote seminar on Friday 25th.

We are pleased to announce that speakers will include
Prof. Stephen Rollnick, (Cardiff University) publications include "Behaviour Change: a guide for health care professionals", and
Prof. Nick Heather, (Northumbria University) life president of NDSAG and co-author of "Problem Drinking" & "Let's Drink To Your Health!".

For conference booking details and updates for 2012 contact Conference Secretary:
Trevor McCarthy, Mobile: 07980 657 573, email trev.mcc@virgin.net

NB The following information will be updated as necessary, to receive email updates please register your interest with Trevor via the above email address. Click here for flier with venue and price details below and latest draft of programme to be announced. Click here for b ooking form in Word (.doc) format. A limited number of day rates are available for Friday 25th May.

New Directions Conference 2012 - win a bursary to attend

2011-11-12T00:10:00.001Z

In memory of Ron McKechnie we're launching a prize - to present a paper at the conference or submit a paper for New Directions Journal and win free attendance and accommodation (includes meals but not travel) at the 2012 NDSAG Conference to be held in Llandindrod Wells, Wales.

New membership details are available here: http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAGmembershipform.pdf

Contact contact@ndsag.org for more information.

New directions in NDSAG?

2011-05-31T16:11:00.000+01:00

In coming months, you'll notice a few changes around the NDSAG websites.

We are now on Twitter for very brief updates (pointing you to the news blog or the website).
You can follow us and find links to other alcohol-related tweets here: http://twitter.com/NDSAG
There are two URLs for our website www.ndsag.org and www.newdirections.org.uk
Currently these should be identical, but the latter one will become an archive for 30 years of the New Directions journal (currently being laboriously scanned if anyone has time to help!)
We've reviewed and simplified membership costs and will be exploring links with similar organisations in the alcohol field and introducing other benefits for members.
We will be introducing links to recommended publications from NDSAG members and colleagues in the field.

We welcome suggestions and feedback from those interested enough to check out our website, so please do contact us
via contact@ndsag.org

NDSAG Conference: Lancaster 2011

2011-04-17T12:00:00.000+01:00

New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group’s 2011
Annual International Conference took place
Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th April in Lancaster.

Big Drinking and the Big Society Inequality and alcohol problems:

are we really all in this together?

Our 2011 conference addressed the big issues facing alcohol treatment and research.
Public spending is being cut. At the same time the case for investing in more alcohol interventions and treatment has never been stronger with research and policy developments. New Directions 2011 considered the key contemporary issues and challenges facing alcohol service providers and researchers.

Alcohol and Primary Care: Will the overwhelming weight of evidence for the effectiveness of alcohol interventions in Primary Care influence GP commissioning?

Speakers included
Roz Brooks (Norwich)
Donald Forrester (Bedfordshire)
Ian Paylor (Lancaster)
Alex Copello (Birmingham)
Fiona Measham (Lancaster)
Robin Davidson (Belfast)
Sarah Galvani (Bedfordshire)
Trevor McCarthy (Leicester)
Nick Heather (Newcastle)
Adrian Brown (London)
Wulf Livingston (Wrexham)
& a Symposium from the Alcohol Education Research Council

http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG2011_programme.pdf

NDSAG Conference: Norwich 2010

2010-02-21T20:10:00.013Z

Doing more with less:

developing higher strength alcohol services

in the hangover from the credit crunch.

Maids Head Hotel, Norwich
The 34th Annual New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group Conference

2010 New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group’s
Annual International Conference was held Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th April in Norwich.

Click here for final draft of programme and here for the flier.
Click here for future conference details and registration form.

This year the annual NDSAG conference was held in Norwich for the first time and incorporated a symposium featuring research funded by the Alcohol Education Research Council.

Our 2010 conference addresses contemporary challenges facing alcohol treatment services and commissioners. Just at the time when we have had signs that the first comprehensive national UK alcohol strategies are beginning to be implemented locally, the political consensus is that public spending must be cut. NICE alcohol guidance is imminent on providing better, evidence-based alcohol interventions and treatment, but can under resourced alcohol treatment systems really make a difference without new investment?

As ever, the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group conference programme is designed for practitioners, managers, researchers, commissioners and anyone else interested in the alcohol field. This year’s conference in Norwich will feature the usual mix of erudition, hard work, robust debate and informality: a proven formula that promotes high quality learning and networking.

Confirmed presenters include:

Roz Brooks (Norwich);	Mike Loveday (Norwich);	Maggie Wheeler (Norwich);
Jocelyn Pike (Norwich);	Jim McCambridge (London);	Anne Lingford-Hughes (London);
Tim Leighton (Salisbury);	Annette Fleming (Birmingham);	Richard Velleman (Bath);
Alex Copello (Birmingham);	Pip Mason (Birmingham);	Robin Davidson (Belfast);
John Booth Davies (Glasgow);	Trevor McCarthy (Leicester);	Nick Heather (Newcastle);
Ray Hodgson (Cardiff)	Donald Forrester (Luton);	Fiona Measham (Lancaster);

& the conference incorporates a Symposium from the AERC.

FULL CONFERENCE RATES (includes social events)
Residential Member*: £425.00
Residential Non-Member: £500.00
Non-residential Member* £225.00
Non-residential Non-Member £295.00

DAY RATES (limited availability, please enquire)
Residential member: £142
Residential non-member: £168
Non-residential member: £76
Non- residential non-member: £100

* In order to qualify for Members’ rate the 2010 Membership fee will have to have been paid.
(Non-members should note that membership fees are between £15 and £30 only.)

NDSAG Conference Belfast 2009

2009-01-27T12:00:00.019Z

Asking the right questions in the right way:

re-evaluating alcohol research and treatment for the 21^st century

Stranmillis College, Belfast

The 33rd Annual New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group Conference
Advance notification: 2009 NDSAG’s Annual International Conference.

Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th April in Belfast.

This year the annual NDSAG conference is held in Northern Ireland for the first time and incorporates a research symposium from the Alcohol Education Research Council.

To celebrate our first event in Northern Ireland we have returned to 2007 conference prices!

Following international studies that found no apparent differences between treatments, NDSAG takes up the issue of Asking the right questions in the right way challenging traditional research. We will examine the relationship between research design and real world change processes. It is time to take a realistic, long term view on treatment effectiveness and consider service users’ views.

As ever, the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group conference programme is designed for practitioners, managers, researchers, commissioners and anyone else interested in the alcohol field. This year’s conference in Belfast will feature the usual mix of erudition, hard work, robust debate and informality: a proven formula that promotes high quality learning and networking.

Confirmed presenters include:

Jim Orford (Birmingham); Keith Humphreys (California); Lawrence Krikpatrick (Belfast); Diana Patterson (Belfast); Shane Butler (Dublin); David Best (Hamilton); Doug Cameron (Market Bosworth); Alex Copello (Birmingham);Robin Davidson (Belfast); John Booth Davies (Glasgow); Ray Hodgson (Cardiff); Nick Heather (Newcastle); Gillian Tober (Leeds); Duncan Raistrick (Leeds); Tim Leighton (Salisbury); Eileen Kaner (Newcastle); Ron McKechnie (Dumfries); Pip Mason (Birmingham),

and

a Symposium from the AERC featuring: Annette Fleming (Birmingham), Steve Lydon (Glasgow), & Simon Moore (Cardiff).

You can download PDFs of the conference programme and the booking form.

In the case of any queries please contact:

carol.driver@actiononaddiction.org.uk +44 (0) 141 548 4507

The full conference programme will be available and updated on the NDSAG website:

newdirections.org.uk

NDSAG Conference 2009 (Draft programme - January)

2009-01-24T09:45:00.005Z

Asking the right questions in the right way:

re-evaluating alcohol research and treatment for the 21^st century

(NOTE THAT SPEAKERS ETC ARE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION)

NDSAG CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 23–26 APRIL 2009

Stranmillis College, Belfast

Thursday 23 April 2009

13.30 ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION

Conference Opening Session: Chair: Robin Davidson

Welcome to Belfast

14.00 NDSAG Chair’s Welcome & Introduction: Alex Copello

14.05 Introduction to the Conference: Robin Davidson

14.15 Opening Presentation Lawrence Kirkpatrick

Lawrence is Professor of theological history at Queens

University, Belfast: making the keynote opening

presentation – placing our conference in the local context

15.30 Tea & Biscuits Break

16.15 New Directions for the New Directions Group: Doug Cameron &

views from the past … Ron McKechnie

Doug & Ron are two of the founding members of NDSAG

17.00 Alcohol interventions: a personal view Nick Heather

Nick is President of NDSAG

17.45 Conference announcements: Alex Copello

18.45 Conference Reception

The first evening reception is a traditional feature of the New Directions annual conference. The event is designed to welcome all delegates, including those who have been regular members of New Directions and particularly those attending for the first time. Complementary pre-dinner drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available.The emphasis is on meeting informally with as many of the other delegates, including established members, committee members and speakers, early in the conference. New Directions has always sought to promote active participation, because this improves our experience of the conference and helps develop personal, professional networks.

19.30 Dinner

Friday 24 April 2009

Friday Morning Session:

Chair:

9.00 Asking the right questions in the right way Jim Orford

Keynote conference presentation: Jim develops his

thesis – first published in Addiction 2008

10.00 A complementary perspective: mutual aid Keith Humphreys

The experience of self help movements

11.00 Coffee & Biscuits Break

11.30 Learning from one another Tim Leighton

The effectiveness of group interventions

12.00 UKATT – beyond the outcomes Alex Copello

Qualitative processes in the United Kingdom

Alcohol Treatment Trial

12.30 Evidence based decision making in alcohol treatment Gillian Tober

Implementing proven methodologies and practise

13.00 Lunch

Friday Afternoon Session:

14.00 Asking the right questions Pip Mason

Participative exercise. Facilitated working groups to

develop the keynote presentations and assess their

implications for real world practise

15.30 Tea & Biscuits Break

16.00 Meaningful Outcome Measures Duncan Raistrick

Reflections: responding to the ‘right questions’ challenges.

Theory & treatment delivery and the impact of treatment.

18.15 NDSAG AGM

19.00 Dinner

Saturday 25^th April 2008

Saturday Morning Session:

Alcohol Education Research Council (AERC) Symposium: Ray Hodgson

Contemporary reports on the Night-time Economy from AERC supported research:

9.00 The AERC & high impact cutting edge research Ray Hodgson

9.15 Cardiff Community Interventions: Measures, Methods, Theories and Outcomes

Dr Simon Moore

9.45 From Lose - Lose to Win - Win:The Birmingham “Route 50” Initiative Annette Fleming

10.15 The Glasgow Community Prevention Trial:Changing a Culture Takes Time. Stevie Lydon

10.45 AERC session Review Ray Hodgson

11.00 Coffee & Biscuits Break

11.30 The Belfast Genetics trial Diana Patterson

Learning from a major international genetics trial

12.00 Title & speaker to be confirmed To be confirmed

12.30 AA – a very Irish organisation Shane Butler

A perspective from the Irish republic

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Saturday Afternoon - Self Directed Learning Opportunities

Conference delegates identify and pursue individual learning objectives in collaboration with colleagues with facilitation and support from the conference organisers as required.

19.00 Dinner

20.30 Evening Entertainment

A Social Event for All Delegates

Sunday 26^th April 2008

Sunday Morning Session:

9.30 The addiction to myth John Davies

Déjà vu and tautology all over again

10.00 Applying the drugs agenda to alcohol…… David Best

Heresy – does drugs research have anything to offer

10.30 Naughty but NICE Eileen Kaner

Don’t blame the messenger – developing good guidelines

11.30 Coffee & Biscuits Break

12.00 MATCH vs UKATT Robin Davidson &

Advance peek at a forthcoming comparison study Nick Heather

12.20 Planning the New Directions Conference 2010

Traditional end to a NDSAG conference: a planning session and wish list to inform the organisation of the next conference, which in 2010 will be held in Norfolk.

13.00 Conference Closes

The New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG) has provided a safe environment where alcohol practitioners, researchers & service managers have explored and debated contemporary challenges in the field since the mid 1970s.

Our 2009 conference theme was launched by Jim Orford in 2008. Rather than researching techniques and treatment technologies researchers should examine how treatment interacts with change processes. An inclusive paradigm would consider change over realistic (longer) time scales paying due heed to service users’ experiences and require alcohol treatment research to connect with modern, wider scientific theory.

For 2009 we are also delighted to feature an AERC research symposium.

We welcome new and returning members & delegates to the NDSAG 2009 conference in Belfast and we will do our best to ensure you enjoy yourselves.

New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group: Charity No: 281393

You can download PDFs of the conference programme and booking form.

NDSAG reserves the right to amend the conference programme as opportunities and circumstances permit and require. For conference booking details and further information please contact the 2009 NDSAG Conference Secretary Carol Driver

carol.driver@actiononaddiction.org.uk +44 (0) 141 548 4507

or visit our website: newdirections.org.uk

Preview of the NDSAG Journal

2009-01-01T20:00:00.013Z

The New Directions Group in the Study of Alcohol Group publishes a report from its annual conference.
The 'New Directions' Journal contains the pick of the papers from the last conference, and other members' papers.
This is included in the price of membership for each year.

Recent back copies of the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Journal are obtainable on request.
Price £5 (before 2005) or £10 (2006 onwards).

The D L Davies Prize is awarded annually for the best article published in the Journal.
All submitted articles are automatically considered for the Prize. Submissions are usually by invitation from last year’s conference, but if you are interested in contributing on the theme of this year’s conference, but are unable to attend, please let us know. For any enquiries about the NDSAG Journal please contact Adrian Brown (ade[dot]brown[at]nhs[dot]net)

For a preview of the NDSAG Journal content, check the 25th Anniversary special edition here and samples of the 2007 (pdf) and forthcoming 2008 (pdf) Journals.

You’re Not Listening To Me!
communication, effectiveness & appropriate delivery service users, practitioners & management

NEW DIRECTIONS in the STUDY of ALCOHOL GROUP JOURNAL

Papers from the NDSAG Annual Conference 2008, Salisbury.

The NDSAG conference represents a wide range of thinking on subjects related to alcohol. Speakers bring individual experience and scientific anecdote from a diversity of alcohol agencies - social, health and academic – not forgetting the personal. The NDSAG journal seeks to publish some key presentations that show the range, but also which can be as thought-provoking on paper as they can in attendance.

This preview condenses the essence of NDSAG by introducing the papers with key paragraphs, just to give an illustration of how the themes are explored.

For more information, check our website ndsag.blogspot.com and if you are interested in purchasing copies of our Journal, please contact Adrian Brown, Ade.Brown@nhs.net

Street Encounters (Douglas Cameron, Leicester)

“An advantage of living and working clinically in the same place for a long time, in my case for more than thirty years, is that one bumps into ‘ex-customers’ on the street from time to time. It is surprising how little information one requires to be able to recall even substantial case histories. So the answer to an informal question like “How are you doing?” often provides enough cues for one to engage in a perfectly meaningful but brief follow-up interview.

“At this totally anecdotal level, there seem to be four kinds of responses worth mentioning. These are:

The turning point
Things were different then
I was different then
Things happened later”

Children: Not seen and not heard? (Wendy Robinson, Whitstable)

“Most people will be familiar with the 15^th Century English Proverb: “Children should be seen and not heard”, and we probably like to think that we have come a long way since then, welcoming the presence of children in our lives and wanting them to feel cared for and valued in our adult-centric world. This paper is going to explore this a little and see if, in reality, we pay attention to children, listening to and hearing what they have to say. I will suggest that perhaps things might not have changed that much over the years, and that we are actually quite ambivalent when it comes to really seeing and hearing children. I will also offer some thoughts about why this might be, and what happens when we choose to ignore children. Conversely, I will say something about what happens when we listen to children and offer some ideas about how we can become more attentive to children and young people.”

Therapeutic Listening – or “It Ain’t What You do” (Bill Reading, Canterbury)

“Expensive and elaborate studies such as Project Match (l997) and the United Kingdom Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT 2004), reveal little significant difference in the effectiveness of competing treatment approaches yet also reveal the powerful impact of the therapeutic alliance in determining the quality of outcome. Estimates as to the effect size of the alliance upon outcome tend to range about l0% to 50% with this effect being almost certainly more pronounced in those clients who manifest with initial low self-efficacy. Even at the lower margins of this range, we are talking of an effect which far exceeds anything one expects to find when comparing one treatment approach or model with another.”

Turning points, values and narrative identities (Anja Koski-Jannes, Tampere)

“Constructing stories is something fundamentally human. It is something that we do naturally day by day, hour by hour without much conscious effort. Stories help us understand our experiences and ourselves and to find meaning for our lives. Meanings do not exist as entities in themselves. We create meanings by seeing events or things in their connection with other things. Stories provide a way to build these connections between events taking place over time.

“Since the main focus of this presentation is on narrative identity and its role in desistance from addictive behaviours, I will use the data from this study to draw attention to two essential elements of this change process. One of these elements concerns turning point experiences and their role in making a personal commitment to change and the second deals with the change of values supporting the new sober identity.”

Making sense of the mess in my head (Wulf Livingston, Gwynedd)

“The model has been developed with reference to a number of contexts. It is something which I sometimes use to aid my teaching and training work with generic staff and in particular social workers and social work students. It is the response of a social worker, with a belief in radical social work theoretical constructs, to a decade plus of working in a field dominated by medical and psychotherapy approaches and increasingly, short term criminal and health outcome focused commissioning processes. Finally, it reflects some of my own understanding as a drinker.”

The Tales People Tell (Ron McKechnie, Dumfries)

“We know from many years of research that the most important ingredient in achieving good outcomes is that the client felt heard. In order for them to feel heard it is essential that we paraphrase their story with their emphasis so that they know we heard what was said and understood it. If there are competing narratives within their story we should draw attention to these gently to establish to which the greatest weight is being given. Further into our relationship with the client we may wish to challenge some aspect of their story. This should be done in a tentative fashion so that any misunderstandings have the opportunity of being cleared up. Having one’s story heard and validated by being taken seriously has an essential role in establishing a therapeutic alliance. This is a form of acceptance.”

NDSAG special event

2008-11-12T12:00:00.000Z

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Conference - Belfast 2009

2008-09-23T09:28:00.005+01:00

For the first time the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG) annual conference will leave the mainland. In 2009 Conference will be held in Belfast (Conference organising committee led by Professor Robin Davidson - contact through this blog)

Dates for the Diary: Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th April 2009

NDSAG is able to hold costs to 2007 levels (@£475 inclusive of registration, accommodation, meals etc. with a discount (£395) for NDSAG members). This is an advance notice to get the dates in diaries, more information soon. The conference will be in a venue close to Belfast city centre.

NDSAG Conference 2008, Salisbury

2008-03-06T10:00:00.003Z

You’re not listening to me!
communication, effectiveness & appropriate delivery
service users, practitioners and management

NDSAG ANNUAL CONFERENCE
24–27 APRIL 2008

Sarum College, Salisbury

NDSAG CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Thursday 24 April 2008

13.30 ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
14.00 NDSAG Chair’s Welcome & Introduction: Trevor McCarthy
14.05 Introduction to the Conference: Tim Leighton

Conference Opening Session: Chair: Nick Barton

14.15 Welcome presentation from a key local speaker speaker to be confirmed
Traditional session placing the nomadic New Directions
in the local context
14.45 Lessons from the Army Brenda Coldwell
Delivering treatment to a special population

15.15 Tea & Biscuits Break

Taking inspiration from the experience of being heard

15.45 Therapeutic listening Bill Reading
16.15 The Views of Children and other Family Members Lorna Templeton
16.45 Three Wise Men Tim Leighton
17.15 Putting it another way John Booth Davies
17.45 Street Encounters Doug Cameron

18.45 Conference Reception
The first evening reception is a traditional feature of the New Directions annual conference. The event is designed to welcome all delegates, including those who have been regular members of New Directions and particularly those attending for the first time. Complementary pre-dinner drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available. The emphasis is on meeting informally with as many of the other delegates, including established members, committee members and speakers, early in the conference. New Directions has always sought to promote active participation, because this improves our experience of the conference and helps develop personal, professional networks.

19.30 Dinner

Friday 25 April 2008

Friday Morning Session: tales from the edge: you didn’t listen to me
Chair: Pip mason

9.00 Untreated Heavy Drinkers Alison Rolfe
9.30 Someone who chooses not to drink speaker to be confirmed
10.00 Children Wendy Robinson (tbc)
10.30 Implications of not listening Mandi Hodges

11.00 Coffee & Biscuits Break

11.30 Inebriety and sobriety – what do people really really want?
11.30 Marketing Inebriety Ross Gordon
12.00 Marketing Deception – Ideas of JBD, DC and I Robin Davidson
12.30 Sober reflections on inebriations
Facilitated discussion

13.00 Lunch

Friday Afternoon Session:

MARKET MAYHEM Tim Leighton
It’s Commissioning Jim – but not as we know it ….. or is it?
Each delegate takes on the role of commissioner exploring the alcohol treatment market place. In the market will be stallholders representing different aspects of treatment. Delegate commissioners are equipped with a supply of ‘beans’ - already counted – all you have to do is spend them, wisely and well. An exercise in exploring how and why treatments manage to get themselves heard about.

14.00 Impractical Commissioning
The Market exercise

15.30 Tea & Biscuits Break

16.00 Practical Commissioning
Reflections: key issues to improve the alcohol treatment marketplace:
Increasing choices and options; diversity of provision; getting the right balance; meeting changing needs; neglected treatment approaches; achieving the appropriate mix

18.15 NDSAG AGM
19.30 Dinner

Saturday 26th April 2008

Saturday Morning Session: Are you sitting comfortably? then we’ll begin

CHAIR: Wulf Livingston

9.00 The Tales People Tell Ron McKechnie
9.30 The Tales Social Workers Tell Sarah Galvani
10.00 Narratives of identity Anya Koski-Jannes

10.45 Coffee & Biscuits Break

11.15 New Directions Papers
The New Directions Papers slot offers opportunities for delegates to deliver a brief presentation. Papers are invited on issues relating to practice or research in the alcohol field. Delegates wishing to submit a New Directions Paper should approach the organisers in advance. Presentations may be delivered in parallel sessions. Details will be included in the final conference programme.

Saturday Morning Session: Chair: sally scriminger

11.15 Working with Families Zara McQueen
11.45 The International Clinics Foundation – listening to cultural diversity
Iqubal Hyare
12.15 A talk to try and make sense of the mess in my head Wulf Livingston

12.45 The Development and Early Experiences of a new Primary Health Care Alcohol Service Rod Hawker

13.15 Lunch

14.15 Saturday Afternoon

Self Directed Learning Opportunities
Conference delegates identify and pursue individual learning objectives in collaboration with colleagues with facilitation and support from the conference organisers as required.

19.30 Dinner

21.00 Quiz 2008 Doug Cameron &
A Team Event For All Delegates Trevor McCarthy

Sunday 27th April 2008

Sunday Morning Session: new blind alleys chair: trevor MCCARTHY

9.30 Who needs and doesn’t need treatment? Colin Drummond
10.00 Applying the drugs agenda to alcohol…… David Best
10.30 Critiquing the disease concept Nick Heather

11.30 Coffee & Biscuits Break

12.00 Commentary Richard Velleman

12.30 Planning the New Directions Conference 2009
Traditional end to a NDSAG conference: a planning session and wish list to inform the organisation of the next conference, which in 2009 will be held somewhere.

13.00 Conference Closes

The New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG) has provided a safe environment where alcohol practitioners, researchers & service managers have explored and debated contemporary challenges in the field since the mid 1970s.

This year our conference addresses key issues in communication: how particular groups of service users and stakeholders fail to get the hearing they deserve. The implications for service users, families and carers, and how the alcohol treatment field as a whole is marginalised will be addressed. Because this is New Directions it won’t – of course – just be a chance to moan – strategies for enabling the disenfranchised and excluded messages, individuals and groups to be heard will be explored and developed.

We welcome new and returning members & delegates to the NDSAG 2008 conference and we will do our best to ensure you enjoy yourselves.

New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group: Charity No: 281393

For latest conference booking details go to

newdirections.org.uk

New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group Conference 2008

2007-12-31T14:21:00.001Z

You’re Not Listening To Me!
communication, effectiveness & appropriate delivery
service users, practitioners & management

Sarum College, Salisbury
The 32nd Annual New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group Conference

The 2008 New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group’s Annual Conference was heldThursday 24th – Sunday 27th April in Salisbury.
This year the annual NDSAG conference addressed the central issue of communication about alcohol in general and within the alcohol field in particular.

As alcohol has risen up the news and agenda the quality of debate seems to be sliding downwards.
“You’re Not Listening To Me!” is a common refrain. We’re putting listening back on the agenda to consider current issues in alcohol treatment while avoiding tired old ideological debates. We want to listen to contemporary perspectives and hold onto traditional respectful professional values. When we’ve listened we’ll consider whether we can claim to have the right mix of services to meet the needs of service users. And, if we haven’t, what we can do to redress the balance.

As ever, the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group conference programme is designed for practitioners, managers, researchers, commissioners and anyone else interested in the alcohol field. This year’s conference in Salisbury will feature the usual mix of erudition, hard work, robust debate and informality: a formula that promotes high quality learning and networking.

Confirmed presenters include:

Nick Barton (Salisbury); David Best (Birmingham); Doug Cameron (Market Bosworth);
Alex Copello (Birmingham); Robin Davidson (Belfast); John Booth Davies (Glasgow);
Colin Drummond (London); Sarah Galvani (Birmingham); Nick Heather (Newcastle);
Anthony Hewitt (Bristol); Mandi Hodges (Leicester); Anya Koski-Jannes (Finland);
Tim Leighton (Salisbury); Wulf Livingston (Colwyn Bay); Ron McKechnie (Dumfries);
Lorna Templeton (Bath); Richard Velleman (Bath)

There may be ‘New Directions Papers’ slots available. These provide an opportunity for delegates at the conference to offer a short presentation on an alcohol related theme of their choosing. For details contact the organisers.
In the case of any queries please contact:

carol.driver@actiononaddiction.org.uk +44 (0) 1985 843 782

Welcome to NDSAG

2007-06-25T11:32:00.000+01:00

Testing this format for electronic archiving and discussion of the NDSAG Conference and related issues.

After the Annual Conference 2007

2007-06-18T13:50:00.000+01:00

That was, as ever, a very useful weekend.
Now I am going to start work on revamping the website.

I know, some folks may recall a similar message from me after the last conference ;)

There will be news etc via this blogger, which can be updated very easily and hopefully be placed on the current website.
The existing webpages will remain wherever they have basic information that rarely changes.
That means minor changes to these pages:
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/index.htm
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/membership.htm
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/history.htm
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/links.htm

updates to these:
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/memform.htm
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/publications.htm

and complete reworkings of these:
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/conference.htm (best bet here is have someone write a brief summary of what the conferences are like - a complement to Doug's History).
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/conferencebook.htm (just as easy to scrap this page and have an email address for people to contact for details - one less page to update)
http://www.newdirections.org.uk/discussion.htm (discussion email list seems to have been lost, as Richard Phillips is the owner and we cannot update without him. Any discussion we require can be carried out via the blog - no really, look at the comments link on this page - it is simpler than you may think!).

I think that covers all the current website.

Now for some history:
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/DruryHse/ (nothing ever leaves the internet)
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/DruryHse/committe.htm (does anyone know who set up that website and if we can edit it?)
and many many more !

Plus http://www.newdirections.org.uk/25yearsofnewdirections.pdf
all of which I intend to copy to the blog, to create a nice big archive of New Directions.

NDSAG Conference 2007

2007-05-29T12:05:00.000+01:00

2007 Conference Alcohol: the elephant in the room
evidence, ignorance and ignoring the evidence

University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

The 31st Annual New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group Conference

Thursday 14th June 2007 – Sunday 17th June 2007
The New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group has provided a safe environment where alcohol practitioners, researchers & service managers have explored and debated contemporary challenges in the field since the mid 1970s.

NDSAG CONFERENCE PROGRAMME (as per March 2007)
14th – 17th JUNE 2007

Thursday 14 June 2007

13.30 ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
14.00 NDSAG Chair’s Welcome & Introduction: Trevor McCarthy
14.05 Introduction to the Conference: Matthew Plunkett

Conference Opening Session: Chair: Welcome to Scotland

14.15 Scotland and Drinking: A Right Guid-Willie Waught Ron McKechnie
A personal view of the Scottish relationship to alcohol
15.00 Scotland & alcohol today Maggie Watts
Similarities and differences with the rest of these islands (& beyond)

15.45 Tea & Biscuits Break

16.15 Myths & the media Alasdair Forsyth
17.00 Giving it a rest: is refraining better than abstaining? Bill Reading
17.45 Women social deprivation and drinking Mary Hepburn

18.30 Close

18.45 Conference Reception University of Strathclyde
The first evening reception is a traditional feature of the New Directions annual conference.
The event is designed to welcome all delegates, including those who have been regular members of New Directions and particularly those attending for the first time. Complementary pre-dinner drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available. The emphasis is on meeting informally with as many of the other delegates, including established members, committee members and speakers, early in the conference. New Directions has always sought to promote active participation, because this improves our experience of the conference and helps develop personal, professional networks.

19.30 Dinner

Friday 15 June 2007

9.00 Murderous Fantasies Brian Stephenson
Thinking aloud about our clients?
9.40 Guilty Lorna Templeton
When good evidence doesn’t change convictions
10.20 Not Proven Alasdair Ross
Evidence gathering – how you seek determines what you find

11.00 Coffee & Biscuits Break

11.30 We know the evidence we like Derek Heim
From the disease model to the J-shaped curve
12.15 Health Behaviour Change After Major Personal Trauma Robin Davidson
Further perspective on change decisions and processes

13.00 Lunch

Friday Afternoon Session

14.00 Group Exercise – plenary followed by groups
Making sense of the day so far

15.30 Tea & Biscuits Break

16.00 12 Step next steps Tim Leighton
Variations and developments on a maligned theme

16.40 Controlled drinking – where next Doug Cameron

17.20 An inside job - how alcohol producers could redress harm Charlie Bower (unable to attend)
An original take on a social investment alternatives to tax

18.00 Close

18.15 NDSAG AGM

19.30 Dinner

Saturday 16th June 2007

Saturday Morning Session

9.00 Conspiracy & paranoia John Booth Davies
The secret thoughts of a suspicious man
9.45 Good Money After Bad Christine Godfrey
Cost effectiveness and value for our money
10.30 Alcohol – a prison health perspective Andrew Fraser

11.00 Coffee & Biscuits Break

11.30 New Directions Papers
The New Directions Papers slot offers opportunities for delegates to deliver a brief presentation. Papers are invited on issues relating to practice or research in the alcohol field. Delegates wishing to submit a New Directions Paper should approach the organisers in advance. Presentations may be delivered in parallel sessions. Details will be included in the final conference programme.

11.30 Anthony Hewitt
12.00 Mandi Hodges
12.30 Adrian Brown

13.00 Lunch

14.15 Saturday Afternoon - Self Directed Learning Opportunities
Conference delegates identify and pursue individual learning objectives in collaboration with colleagues with facilitation and support from the conference organisers as required.

19.30 Dinner

21.00 Quiz 2007 Doug Cameron &
A Team Event For All Delegates Trevor McCarthy

Sunday 17th June 2007

Sunday Morning Session:

9.15 Addiction and choice: how can they be reconciled? Nick Heather
10.00 The Way Backwards: Where Did It All Go Wrong? Jack Law
10.45 And another thing … that’s been getting on my nerves Trevor McCarthy

11.30 Coffee & Biscuits Break

12.00 Commentary Matthew Plunkett

12.30 Planning the New Directions Conference 2008
Traditional end to a NDSAG conference: a planning session and wish list to inform the organisation of the next conference, which in 2008 will be held in the Salisbury area.

13.00 Conference Closes

NDSAG Conference 2006

2006-04-06T11:00:00.000+01:00

Malvern 2006 Abbey Hotel, Malvern. Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th April 2006

The X Factor: The Search For the Missing Ingredient in Alcohol Treatment
The 30th Anniversary Conference of the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group

Keynote Speaker: Professor Carlo DiClemente

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
In 2006 our 30th anniversary conference addresses the search for those elusive factors which make the difference in delivering successful interventions and help for people with alcohol problems. Acknowledging the importance of evidence based practice New Directions looks beyond the received and broadcast wisdom to identify how we can genuinely make a difference. This is an event designed to develop dialogue and address the needs of Commissioners, Managers, Practitioners and Researchers. We welcome new and returning members & delegates to NDSAG 2006 and will do our best to ensure a stimulating and enjoyable conference experience.

NDSAG Conference 2005, Leicester

2005-04-14T12:00:00.000+01:00

Information and link to the con ference programme will appear here.

NDSAG Conference 2004

2004-04-22T11:16:00.000+01:00

Venue: Celtic Royal HotelBangor StreetCaernarfonGwynedd, LL55 1AY
Date: Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th April 2004

Theme: PROJECTS MIS-MATCH?
The Clash between Drinking Cultures & Service Cultures.

How alcohol services can broaden their vision and look beyond
the drinker and the drinking for solutions to alcohol problems.
Families, drinking cultures and their significance for treatment.
The 28th annual New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group conference

2004 programme pdf

NDSAG Conference 2003

2003-04-10T11:00:00.000+01:00

Venue: The Place Strand Hotel The Strand London WC2
Date: Thursday 10th April - Sunday 13th April 2003

Theme: Beyond Brief Interventions
DELIVERING 21ST CENTURY ALCOHOL SERVICES
A Conference to inform the emerging National Alcohol Strategy

2003 programme pdf

NDSAG Conference 2002

2002-04-11T11:00:00.000+01:00

Date: 11-14 April 2002
Venue: The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton

Theme: BOUNDARIES - Self, Client, Treatment, Profession.

A four day conference for workers in the alcohol field and associated professions .
Does the need to demonstrate outcomes affect the quality of the relationships with the client?
Why don't we go to the pub with our clients?
Should we break the rules, and what is 'therapist variable'?
Is 'safe' practice the best practice, and does it actualy work?
Can an ethical framework inform creative practice?
How do we work across proffesional boundaries and form partnerships that work?

Confirmed Speakers
Sue Baker
Doug Cameron
Robin Davidson
Francesca Inskipp
Bill Reading
Gillian Tober
Richard Vellerman

2002 programme pdf

NDSAG Conference 2001

2001-04-05T13:00:00.000+01:00

Conference 2001 was the 25th NDSAG Conference. To mark this anniversary the conference returned to Dumfries, the location of the first ever NDSAG conference.

Alcohol Services in Denial
The Perils of Ignoring the Spiritual Dimensions of Our Work

Did you know that recent randomly controlled clinical trials have shown that prayer can enhance the outcome in a variety of physical conditions?
There is increasing evidence that religion/spirituality influences both alcohol consumption and treatment outcome. Yet in our assessment of clients we rarely, if ever, ask about their spirituality. This is an aspect of persons as important as their personality, which will have a major bearing on how the client will approach treatment, and view their responsibility for the problem and its resolution. Similarly we do not consider the role of our spirituality in making connection with others.
AA is the only organisation which explicitly take a spiritual model of alcohol problems. Most mainstream treatments either ignore or deny the relevance of spirituality.
Increasingly scientists are turning to these little researched areas and investigating them using traditional scientific methods. This conference will introduce participants to the main concepts in the field and to the research work going on both in the alcohol field and in counselling in general.

Keynote Speaker
Bill Miller
"Motivational Interviewing" and "Integrating Spirituality into Treatment"
University of New Mexico, USA

NDSAG Conferences 1994 to 2000

2000-04-01T11:00:00.000+01:00

Conference 2000
Topics covered included:
Risk Assessment
Care Pathways
Generic Workers: Specialist Assessors?
Treatment: is it an outdated concept?
The National Alcohol Strategy

Conference 1999
Topics covered included:
Alcohol in the Workplace
Operating in the Criminal Justice System
Control, Maintenance or Change
Standards for service provision and delivery

Conference 1998
Topics covered included:
Organisations under pressure
Learning Individuals - Learning Organisations. How We Learn What We Know
Influencing Alcohol Workers - How We Learn What We Learn
Dual Diagnosis; People With Multiple/Complex Problems
Women Drinkers; Drinkers from Ethnic Minority Communities
Practice Based Evidence

Conference 1997
Topics covered included:
How findings from research can improve effectiveness of services
What do we know about alcohol problems and delivering effective services and are we doing it?
What are the implications for management and training?

Conference 1996
Topics covered included:
The implications for specialist alcohol agencies of the cultural and structural change in the NHS and local authorities.
The impact of the move to GP fundholding on strategic purchase and provision of alcohol services.
The effects of problem drinking on family members

Conference 1995
Topics covered included:
Latest developments in the Minnesota mdoel
The management of alcohol problems in primary care.
Debate: "People drink alcohol because they want to".

Conference 1994
Topics covered included:
Why does the disease concept of alcoholism endure in the public eye?
What is the value-base of our work?
How do we want soap-operas to portray drink problems?
The ideological offensive.