Events

Alcohol, substance use and mental health: closing the care gap

Friday 23 January 2026, 9.15 am until 3.30 pm

Please note: Registration opens at 9.15 am. The event will start at 9.45 am.

Frederick Douglass Centre, Newcastle Helix

People who struggle with alcohol or other substance use at the same time as poor mental health frequently face inadequate support from our care system.

Join leading academics and public contributors working in the field of substance use and mental health to hear the latest evidence on how we might better meet the needs of this underserved group.

This one-day event hosted by Newcastle University and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) will showcase the latest research in this space including:

• National and regional data on the numbers of people struggling with substance use and poor mental health.
• Findings from the NIHR ADEPT study exploring experiences of accessing and providing care for people with co-occurring heavy drinking and depression.
• Latest insights from the national NIHR ProACTIVE research programme on what works best for whom when it comes to implementing Alcohol Care Teams in our hospitals.
• Examples of recent innovations in models of care from the North East region and beyond, including Alcohol Recovery Navigators and Alcohol Assertive Outreach Treatment.

We will hear from people with lived experience that we have worked with in our research, including Melinda King from ‘Our Message, Our Voice’.

There will also be a chance to have your voice heard by getting involved in live research on the day and opportunities to network with colleagues and peers with a shared interest in improving care for this underserved group.

Who should attend?

People with lived experience, health and care practitioners, NHS clinicians, researchers and academics, health and social care service providers, commissioners and managers and those working in third sector organisations. It is aimed at people from the NENC region and nationally.

This event will provide a prime opportunity for networking with colleagues and peers from the region and nationally who have an interest in improving care in this area.

Lunch will be provided. Please share any dietary requirements when you register.

Register to attend