Addiction research takes a new approach
In contemporary European society, addictions bring major concerns, especially given their increasing variety and incidence. With changing demographic, economic and regulatory conditions, and subsequent impacts on work, family and social life, consumption and attitudes of society towards addictive products are constantly being reconfigured. Addictions have become a focal point for social, economic, media and political consideration; yet, there is little consensus or synergy at the intersections of these different viewpoints. The EU project ALICE RAP (Addictions and lifestyles in contemporary Europe – Reframing addictions project) worked to stimulate a broad, productive, public and political debate on current and alternative approaches to addictions, to inform policy and practice, and to address the challenges posed by addictive behaviours and services. Scientists from quantitative and qualitative disciplines across the humanities and biological and medical sciences were involved in this multidisciplinary endeavour. The project's research questions examined the current and historical ownership of addictions, defining and quantifying addictions, determinants for transitions into addiction, business interests and strategies, governance and youth resilience. In synergy, these make up an integrated research strategy. ALICE RAP results led to eight preliminary outcomes and policy recommendations: new concepts in addiction – adopting a more accurate and practical definition of 'heavy use over time' in public health discourse could result in improved policy decision-making; a well-being frame – ALICE RAP adopted a frame of personal and societal well-being as an objective and non-judgemental value system to assess reduction in addiction-related harm; drivers of harm – ALICE RAP identified underlying and immediate drivers of addictive behaviour and developed a health footprint for addictions to quantify and apportion the influence of different entities on harm; comprehensive, whole population approaches – the consumption of addictive goods lies on a continuum and the more effective practices address the whole spectrum; resilience among youth – ALICE RAP found the evidence base for addiction policy with regards to young people incomplete and identified a need to build resilience, whilst incorporating youth into whole population approaches. Findings highlight the breadth and scope of both determinants and harms of addiction; holistic policy approaches can impact on a greater number of these. As regards stakeholders' influence, ALICE RAP elucidated industrial strategies, including corporate social responsibility, to develop favourable trading conditions. In terms of redesigning governance, project partners developed a methodology for clustering addiction governance approaches of different countries and identified models of governance. One conclusion was that stricter regulation of legal substances and decriminalisation of illegal substances could reduce harm.
Keywords
Addiction, ALICE RAP, governance, lifestyles, health, well-being
