Addiction psychiatry: where we are and challenges in the UK
International Review of Psychiatry March 31, 2026 Anne Anne Lingford-Hughes
Alcohol and drug addictions impose heavy burdens on individuals and society, a situation likely to persist. Addiction psychiatry in the UK faces challenges including under-investment, reduced psychiatric input in the workforce, and stigma, while needing better integration with mental and physical health services. Psychological therapies remain the mainstay of treatment, with few new pharmacological options emerging in recent decades. Emerging approaches such as novel pharmacological targets, psychedelics, and neuromodulation show promise but require larger, better-designed trials in clinically representative populations. Neuroimaging is highlighted as a key tool for understanding mechanisms and accelerating treatment development. Driving innovation requires senior leadership, robust research infrastructure, global collaboration, reduced stigma, and a research-capable workforce.