Centre for Drug use, Alcohol and Addictive Behaviour Research (CEDAAR) conducts research into the epidemiological, psychological, social and clinical aspects of addictive behaviours, with a view to reduce harm through best-practice approaches to prevention, policy and treatment.
Our aim is to inform evidence-based policy, treatment and prevention interventions, as well as providing service to the community.
Our approach is structured around three research questions:
The centre has five strategic areas of programmatic addictive behaviour research underpinned by our core principles.
This area examines addictive behaviours in the general population and vulnerable population subgroups to identify their incidence and prevalence, explore trends in their patterns, investigate factors that might influence these trends over time and identify their associated harms.
This area applies life-course and developmental systems research to design and evaluate primary and secondary prevention approaches that prevent harm from addictive behaviours and enhance wellbeing across the lifespan.
This area focuses on shaping government and organisational policies on alcohol and other drug use, and gambling, while also evaluating their broader impact on the community.
This area explores the contextual determinants – including demographic, psychological, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, relational, social, health, familial, cultural, environmental, communal, commercial and societal domains – involved in the development, maintenance and treatment of addictive behaviours.
This area focuses on developing, evaluating and applying evidence-based treatments for addictive behaviours. It includes traditional methods like cognitive-behavioral therapies and motivational interviewing, alongside third-wave treatments, transdiagnostic models, digital interventions and cognitive techniques.
When you study a PhD or enrol in postdoctoral research at CEDAAR, you'll be supported by world-renowned researchers. Discover a supervisor who could help you further your research career goals.
Addictive behaviours, such as excessive alcohol use and gambling, are among the most significant social challenges globally, yet many of their underlying causes are preventable. We are committed to understanding the factors that drive these behaviours across the lifespan and developing interventions and policies that reduce both the prevalence of these behaviours and the harms they cause.”
Associate Professor Petra Staiger and Professor Nicki Dowling
School of Psychology
CEDAAR brings together the expertise of researchers who use innovative approaches to understand and address the harm from AOD, gambling, gaming, and other addictive behaviours.
Associate Professor Petra Staiger leads a program of research with a focus on integrating theory and practice in relation to preventing and addressing AOD issues and their related harms across a range of vulnerable groups.
Professor Nicki Dowling leads a program of clinical research focusing on three strategic areas: the identification, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm for gamblers and their affected others.
We collaborate with national and international partners from universities, health care providers and philanthropic organisations to increase our impact.
The Chronos Approach, developed by Associate Professor Petra Staiger and Dr Paul Liknaitzky, offers an innovative method for setting and maintaining goals to support alcohol reduction. This approach aligns with digital applications, leveraging smartphones as powerful tools to assist individuals in reducing their alcohol consumption.
Research shows that one person's gambling problem can affect up to six others. Despite experiencing harm, family and friends often don't seek support, and existing options have limited effectiveness. Dr Stephanie Merkouris from our Centre developed GamblingLess for Families and Friends, an online self-directed program to help those impacted by a loved one's gambling.
'Just-in-time adaptive interventions' use mobile and wireless technologies to provide accessible, convenient and low-burden support. A study led by Professor Nicki Dowling and funded by the New South Wales Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund, examines the use of such interventions for people who are experiencing gambling harm.
Stay in touch with us to hear about the latest alumni opportunities, research news and much more. Have a question? Get in touch with the team.
Email Associate Professor Petra Staiger
+61 3 9244 6876
Email Professor Nicki Dowling
+61 3 9244 5610
