Substance Use Research Group

Group Purpose  

SURG’s overall purpose is to conduct high-quality research that will improve the health and wellbeing of people who use substances and their families, and reduce health inequalities. We do this by valuing and working with people with lived experience, service providers, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders, to design, conduct, disseminate, and implement meaningful and impactful research.

We work with a broad definition of “Substances”, which includes illicit substances (e.g. heroin, cocaine, cannabis, fake medicines, novel psychoactive substances, etc.), and licit - whether prescribed or non-prescribed (e.g. opiate substitution treatments, pain killers, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, alcohol, tobacco).

Group Methods  

We use mixed and multiple methods in our research. The group has expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, e.g., Implementation methods; Patient Reported Outcomes; In-depth qualitative and ethnographic studies; Realist Evaluation; Secondary data analysis including administrative and birth cohort data analysis; participatory research methods; Evidence synthesis (Meta-analysis; Meta-synthesis; Realist synthesis); Creative data visualisation methods; Clinical trials; Public engagement. We use co-production methods to inform and evaluate person-centred interventions to improve health and wellbeing.

Areas of activity 

Our areas of research focus include:

• Alcohol policy (prevention/education, enforcement including licensing)
• Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Screening, Assessment and Brief Interventions   
• Impacts of over the counter and prescribed medications (for example, paracetamol, benzodiazepine, antidepressants)
• Local, national and global substance use cultures
• Harm reduction and treatment services
• Peer-led/mutual aid recovery from substance use
• Impacts of substance use on women, children, young people and families (in collaboration with MIRU)
• Tobacco and alcohol use in severe and enduring mental health conditions (in collaboration with LWLTC) 

We work with key stakeholders such as policymakers, service providers, healthcare practitioners, and people with lived experience of substance use in a range of settings, for example, primary care, criminal justice, alcohol and drug treatment services. Co-developing and evaluating care pathways, services and interventions for marginalised groups, including individuals with co-existing mental health and substance use issues, and those in socially disadvantaged and/or remote rural areas.