Our Research
The Centre for Addiction Research is dedicated to providing timely, relevant and independent research to help inform policy and practice in relation to substance misuse and the treatment of addictive consumptions. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to addiction with our research spanning across different levels of addiction study, from molecular investigations to community and cultural perspectives, and societal impacts.
Our members collaborate to investigate the causes, patterns, and impact of addictive behaviours. We also explore ways to reduce associated harms and evaluate interventions. By examining the effects of dangerous consumption on individuals, communities, and society, we offer unique insights both nationally and internationally.
Our four intersecting research themes are:
Patterns, causes and impact of addictive consumption use
This research considers how health-harming behaviours trend over time, are linked to specific places and spaces, and involve different groups of people (such as those with specific social, cultural and demographic characteristics and backgrounds). The role of societal and commercial factors are also important in the uptake of – and harms from – health-harming substances. This includes the regulatory settings for advertising, pricing and accessibility, as well as the processes involved in policy-making around health-harming industries. Highlighting inequities in harms is another important aspect. Identifying socio-demographic factors, living and working conditions, and social and economic environments, are all crucial to understanding health-harming behaviours, related harms and potentials for change.
Intervention and Treatment
Research in this area aims to improve our understanding of what interventions and treatment approaches reduce the use of, and engagement with, health-harming substances and activities. It also seeks to identify the predictors of positive treatment outcomes. Current projects include reviewing treatment models for methamphetamine use in Aotearoa New Zealand and an international review of government low-risk drinking guidelines.
Public health and policy
Public health initiatives and policies are key in shaping and improving the conditions and environments for reduced consumption of health-harming substances and activities, and their related harms. This can range from behavioural health promotion to community development and participation, to initiatives at the social, economic and environmental level. Policy change can include change to service provision, treatment, clinical guidelines, environmental or social factors and conditions, social determinants of health and commercial determinants of health, legalisation or restriction. Considerations span from law change, to new guidance, clinical practice, funding models, and government policies.
Cultural and community perspectives
Cultural and community perspectives involve considering the roles and functions of health-harming substances and activities in the lives of different groups, in different times, locations, and social and cultural contexts. Insights are sought into how and why certain aspects of people’s everyday worlds create and maintain different health-harming behaviours. Effective research works in partnership and co-designs studies with diverse populations, to ensure that a diversity of voices are heard, and to enable the development of more nuanced harm reduction initiatives that are contextualised, relevant to, and grounded within people’s everyday lives and circumstances.
Learn and browse our recent publications by the following topics:
Digital research summaries
Alcohol
Commercial determinants and industry influence
Gambling
Tobacco and vaping
Other addictive substances and behaviours