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 research area focuses on understanding the underlying determinants involved in the development, maintenance and treatment of addictive behaviours. Contextual determinants can include those across demographic, psychological, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, relational, social, health, familial, cultural, environmental, communal, commercial and societal domains.
This research 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 research 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 research area involves the development, evaluation and translation of theoretically-informed, and evidence-based treatments for addictive behaviours. This encompasses traditional approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapies and motivational interviewing, and novel and innovative therapies, including third-wave treatments, transdiagnostic approaches, digital interventions and cognitive interventions.
This research area focuses on informing Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use and gambling government and organisational policy and initiatives, as well as evaluating their impact on the community.
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.
Addiction and anti-social behaviour remain some of the leading social harms to communities around the world, but many of the causes of this harm are preventable. We are passionate about studying the drivers across the developmental spectrum and finding interventions and policies that make communities safer and give people back their lives.
Professor Peter Miller
Professor 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.
Over the last decade digital interventions have become increasingly popular as accessible and cost-effective treatment options. The Chronos Approach to reduce drinking draws on the ability to send notifications by phone, set time sensitive reminders to assist in changing behaviour to reduce drinking.
Problems with falling or staying asleep impacts a significant proportion of the population leading to loss of productivity, accidents and mental health issues. In the majority of cases individuals will be prescribed sleep medication, however cognitive-behavioural therapy interventions can be a highly effective first line treatment approach.
Just-in-time adaptive interventions use mobile and wireless technologies to provide accessible, convenient and low-burden support. A study, funded by the New South Wales Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund, considers 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
