Free public forum: Drug and gambling addiction

Monday, 30 September 2013

A free public event will hear from some of the University of Adelaide's foremost experts on the science and treatment of drug and gambling addiction.

In this special Research Tuesdays Forum on Tuesday 8 October, three leading researchers in the field will discuss the latest findings, including:

• What role the immune system plays in the physiological mechanisms of drug addiction;
  
• Why many underutilised medications hold promise for treating substance abuse; and
  
• Why pathological gambling should be viewed as a "behavioural addiction", and how it relates to increasingly common problems like excessive gaming and internet use.

The panellists are:

Dr Mark Hutchinson (School of Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide). Dr Hutchinson heads the Neuroimmunopharmacology Lab, which looks at the important role played by the immune system in addiction, and whether this immune-addiction response can be blocked.

Associate Professor Robert Ali (School of Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide). Associate Professor Ali is Director of the Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research in the Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Problems. He is also a former Chair of the Australian National Expert Advisory Committee on Illicit Drugs.

Associate Professor Paul Delfabbro (School of Psychology, University of Adelaide). Associate Professor Delfabbro is interested in the prevalence and social impacts of gambling and the factors that maintain gambling behaviour. His research in the area is widely published and cited by academics, politicians and community leaders alike.

WHAT: Tackling Addiction: A Research Tuesdays Forum
WHERE: The Braggs Lecture Theatre, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN: 5:30pm-7.30pm, Tuesday 8 October, 2013
COST: Free - but registration is essential: please register online.

Contact Details