New Directions Conference 2015

Addicted to Recovery?
New Paradigms or Recycled Discourses…

39th Annual NDSAG Conference
Thursday 21st – Friday 22nd May 2015, London, UK

The conference will run over the course of 2 days and will feature several distinct symposiums:

Thursday 21st May: “Brains first and then Hard Work.”
(The House At Pooh Corner, A. A. Milne. 1928). This day starts with the concept of ‘brain science’ and its relationship to alcohol,
and then will contrast this with a critical exploration of ‘recovery issues’ for drinkers.

Friday 22nd May: Proving policy or improving practice?
This day develops on the first day’s themes by exploring alcohol policy perspectives and the treatment agenda, followed by an exploration of gambling and alcohol, and then further perspectives from the field.

To conclude, the conference will re-visit addiction for a final plenary to consider what have
we learned and where next?

CONFIRMED CONTRIBUTORS – Plus others to be confirmed at a later date:
Prof. Keith Humphreys (Stanford University, USA)
Prof. Jim Orford (University of Birmingham)
Prof. Marc Lewis (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands)
Prof. Anne Lingford Hughes (Imperial College, London)
Prof. Colin Drummond (National Addiction Centre, Kings College London)
Prof. David Best (Sheffield Hallam University and Monash University, Australia)
Clive Henn (Alcohol Policy Team, Public Health England)
Pip Mason (Pip Mason Consultancy, Birmingham)
Alistair Sinclair (UK Recovery Federation)
Tim Leighton (Action on Addiction, UK)
Dr Niamh Fitzgerald (University of Stirling, Scotland)

contact Andy Perkins/Jenni Turnbull (Conference Administrators) by e-mailing enquiries@f8c.co.uk

Our 39th Annual Conference featured two distinct one day symposiums covering current research and practice in the field of alcohol interventions.

In the 1970’s the New Directions group took on the concept of “Alcoholism”. Their pioneering critiques of the “disease model” and its successors have informed developments in alcohol treatment for nearly 50 years.
In 2015 New Directions explores “Recovery”. Against a background of vested interests scrabbling to claim it for themselves, we will examine the origins of “Recovery” and consider the future for the concept.

Unpicking the issues that surround “Recovery” leading experts will address:
•        Brain science – over hyped or our only hope?
•        Gambling – stacking the odds against getting treatment?
•        New addictions – do we need a campaign for real addiction?
•        Cuts and more cuts – the impact on research and treatment.
•        More New Directions – emerging innovations and opportunities in the alcohol field.


•Conference programme (times & titles) PDF

New Directions conferences always encourage networking, professional and social. 
This year we had two social events.
Wednesday 20th May:Local welcome. Conference attendees will be invited to join us at a local restaurant.
Thursday 21st May:NDSAG reception dinner at a local restaurant.

New Directions Conference 2014

New Directions 2014 Conference
Alcohol Matters... Learning from Scottish Experiences

Wednesday 23rd - Saturday 26th April 2014

Venue: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Dundee, Scotland

The conference featured three distinct research symposiums:
 Will Independence Change Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol?
 What researchWhat Price a Unit? An exploration of Minimum Unit Pricing research
 Interventions focusInterventions and research focus - an in-depth look at the broad base of Scottish Alcohol Brief Interventions research

This years conference brought together key figures involved in Scottish based contemporary alcohol research. As well as the focus on Scottish Independence, MUP and ABIs, our 2014 conference included our acclaimed annual symposium showcasing new research funded by Alcohol Research UK (formerly AERC).

CONTRIBUTORS
Prof. Jonathan Chick (Queen Margaret’s University)
Prof. John Booth Davies (University of Strathclyde)
Andrew McAuley (NHS Health Scotland)
Mike Inglis (Governor, HMP Perth)
Dr Robert Peat (Care Inspectorate)
Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald (Robert Gordon’s Univesity)
The Sheffield Alcohol Research Group
Tayside Council on Alcohol

FLIER www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG2014_flier.pdf
BOOKING FORM www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG_BookingForm.doc

Here you can read a personal summary of the Dundee conference produced by me for the final session, where we plan future conferences,

New Directions Conference 2013

Speakers at our Birmingham Conference included
Prof. Jim Orford, (Birmingham University) , UKATT project and other publications include “Excessive Appetites” (1995) and “Addiction Dilemmas: Family Experiences from Literature and Research and Their Challenges for Practice” (2011)
Dr. Alex Copello (Birmingham University), Dr. Sarah Galvani (University of Bedfordshire), Dr Jim McCambridge (London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine), Pip Mason (consultancy)
And from Alcohol Research UK, Prof. Ray Hodgson (Research Director), Dr. James Nicholls (Research Manager) and Dave Roberts (Chief Executive)


The following details are for information purposes only as the conference has now passed.

Booking details http://www.ndsag.org/booking.htm
http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG_BookingForm.doc

http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG2013_flier.pdf
http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG2013_ConferenceProgramme.pdf

http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG2013_Call_for_papers.pdf 

and bursary prize http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG_Ron_McKechnie_Prize.pdf

Attendees can also submit a poster http://www.ndsag.org/downloads/NDSAG2013_Call_for_posters.pdf

win a bursary to attend New Directions Conference 2013

In memory of our late friend, Ron McKechnie, we're launching a prize - to submit a paper for New Directions Journal and win free attendance and accommodation (includes meals but not travel) at the 2013 NDSAG Conference to be held in Birmingham, England. Your paper should relate to this year's conference theme
Alcohol Spills Over ... Alcohol and the family and other neglected issues


New membership details are available here and you can now join online via PayPal.


Contact contact@ndsag.org for more information about making a submission for the Ron McKechnie Prize.

NDSAG conference 2012 Llandrindod Wells

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

Speakers included

Prof. Stephen Rollnick, (Cardiff University) publications include "Behaviour Change: a guide for health care professionals", 

Prof. Keith Humphreys, (Stanford University) Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and CHP/PCOR associate, member of the White House Commission on Drug Free Communitites and the National Advisory Council of the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Prof. Nick Heather, (Northumbria University) life president of NDSAG and co-author of "Problem Drinking" & "Let's Drink To Your Health!".

For future conference details and updates for 2013 contact Conference Secretary:
Trevor McCarthy, Mobile: 07980  657 573, email trev.mcc@virgin.net

NB The following information will not be updated .

 

Welsh language versions

Conference flier                                                                                    

Call for papers (closed)                                                                    

Ron McKechnie prize (bursary)

NDSAG Conference: Lancaster 2011

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

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

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)

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

Conference - Belfast 2009

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

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

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