The UK government has announced an investment of over £10 million to tackle the country’s growing drug and alcohol addiction crisis
The new funding aims to address a national shortage of world-class researchers in addiction healthcare and improve the support system for people affected by addiction.
Three major schemes will be launched to develop the next generation of leaders in addiction research. These efforts are part of a bigger plan to reduce the health and economic burden of addiction on society, improve treatment outcomes, and help individuals on their journey to recovery.
Tackling a national crisis
Drug and alcohol addiction remains a significant issue in the UK, claiming more than 15,000 lives annually. In England alone, the economic impact of addiction is estimated at around £47 billion each year. This includes healthcare costs, lost productivity, crime, and pressure on public services.
To address this, the government’s new Addiction Healthcare Goals initiative will fund research into innovative treatment and prevention strategies. These include new technologies like smartphone-based therapies and new interventions for alcohol use disorder that can be offered in emergency departments.
New leadership programme for addiction science
A significant part of the initiative is the Addiction Healthcare Goals Research Leadership Programme, which aims to kickstart and accelerate careers in addiction research.
Researchers will study the needs of people with drug and alcohol addiction, explore the leading causes of substance use, and investigate what treatments work best. Collaboration will be a key focus, with researchers working closely with healthcare providers, social workers, and individuals with lived experience to translate research findings into practice.
National partnership
The investment will support new and existing partnerships with major research organisations:
- The Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) will lead a flagship programme offering academic and professional development tailored specifically to addiction science.
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will receive funding to support career development opportunities at all levels, from pre-doctoral to post-doctoral researchers, across the UK.
- The Medical Research Council (MRC) will launch fellowships, including Clinical Research Training Fellowships, Clinician Scientist Fellowships, and Career Development Awards, to support promising scientists in leading breakthrough research in addiction.
Improving research access and data use
In a further move to support drug and alcohol addiction research, the government has commissioned a new Data Roadmap to address key barriers faced by researchers in accessing and using addiction-related healthcare data. Ipsos UK has been appointed to lead this work, beginning in September 2025.
The roadmap will be shaped by insights from researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, and frontline treatment staff. Its goal is to streamline research efforts and ensure data can be better used to improve care, inform policy, and support innovation.
