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Paul Toner

@ptoner.bsky.social
210 followers 168 following 14 posts

Substance Use Research Group Lead. Psychologist at the University of Dundee who conducts health research, main research areas are addictive behaviours and mental health.

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Reposted by Paul Toner
Chris Cole @drchriscole.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Great to finally have a paper profiling HIC's 20-year experience. A fantastic team! Talk to us if you want to take your health data research to the next level. #healthdata #patientrecords #TRE Also do ask about our cHICken mascots! 🐓
A photo of some of the Health Informatics Centre's core team. And a couple of cHICken mascots!
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SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Yesterday's @sarnalcohol.bsky.social meeting at Stirling University was a fantastic reminder of the strength of Scotland's collaborative approach to alcohol research. Huge thanks to the speakers and organisers for all their work We're lucky to have this network. Long may it continue🤝
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Society for the Study of Addiction @addiction-ssa.org · 31/12/2025
If you are applying for a PhD studentship or fellowship through the SSA, watch our webinars on 'How to get shortlisted': www.youtube.com/@Societyfort... | Featuring @robcalder.bsky.social @melissaoldham.bsky.social @ptoner.bsky.social
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
We investigated how QoL/ #HRQoL instruments were used in substance and behavioural addictions. We found similar issues as this team: variety of measures, lack of theory, and issues around methodological quality: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #SysReview #Psychometrics @ptoner.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A systematic review of quality of life and health‐related quality of life as outcomes in substance and behavioural addictions
Issues Consideration of an individual's quality of life (QoL) can benefit assessment and treatment of addictive disorders, however, uncertainty remains over operationalisation of the construct as an.....
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Aki Vehtari @avehtari.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
I'm now also looking for a postdoc with strong Bayesian background and interest in developing Bayesian cross-validation theory, methods and software. Apply by email with no specific deadline (see contact information at users.aalto.fi/~ave/). Others, please share
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Dan Lewer @danlewer.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
We wrote an article explaining why you shouldn't put several variables into a regression model and report which are statistically significant - even as exploratory research. bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/4/1/.... How did we do?
A "methods primer" article in the journal "BMJ Medicine", titled "Factors associated with: problems of using exploratory multivariable regression to identify causal risk factors"
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Society for the Study of Addiction @addiction-ssa.org · 27/10/2025
📣 Introducing new funding schemes from the SSA and Office for Life Sciences tinyurl.com/mrxwrh8k | Applications for PhD studentships and fellowships open on 3 November
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Melissa Oldham @melissaoldham.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
On 31st October (11am) we will hold a seminar focused on fellowships. Again @robcalder.bsky.social will introduce the scheme, a successful applicant (me!) and @ptoner.bsky.social a very experienced short lister will also present. Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-get...
eventbrite.co.uk
How to get shortlisted for a fellowship
This webinar will guide you through the process of developing a strong fellowship application.
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mervemolla.bsky.social @mervemolla.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
The SSA are running several webinars about key stages of a research career, including applying for a PhD, fellowship and research grant. These have a great speaker line up -I highly recommend to any addiction researchers!
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Dr Louise Marryat @lmarryat.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Highly recommend @dyellowlees.bsky.social presentation tips/training for anyone looking to improve their presentations. Since our team started implementing some of his tips, one of our PhD students won the school 3MT round, and we were awarded the ADRUK best presentation award. Thanks Duncan!
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Society for the Study of Addiction @addiction-ssa.org · 12/09/2025
The UK Government has announced £10 million in funding to support the next generation of leaders in addiction research. Find out more about the Addiction Healthcare Goals Research Leadership Programme: tinyurl.com/2sveeum8
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Paul Toner @ptoner.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
New paper! 📢 VR is a rapidly evolving technology, and this systematic review included 24 unique studies on VR nature and mental health and wellbeing of higher education students. iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis of virtual reality nature effects on higher education students' mental health and wellbeing
Virtual Reality nature (VRn) may deliver mental health and wellbeing without being outside in real nature. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to report effects of VRn ...
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Attending the meeting of the Scottish Alcohol Research Network* at #DundeeUni! SARN is a collaborative research forum responding to alcohol-related harm in #Scotland Great to meet internal and external colleagues w similar research interests. 🧵👇 #SubstanceUse #MentalHealth * www.sarnalcohol.org
sarnalcohol.org
SARN - The Scottish Alcohol Research Network
SARN brings together those with the vision, passion, and commitment to drive forward alcohol research in Scotland.
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
This mirrors findings from our broader #SysReview of #HRQL as an outcome in substance and behavioural addictions pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37439397/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A systematic review of quality of life and health-related quality of life as outcomes in substance and behavioural addictions - PubMed
Many instruments have been utilised. However, a significant proportion of studies applied a small number of instruments with minimal high-quality validation evidence supporting their use within addict...
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
A #SysReview of quality of life & #HRQoL instruments in #RCTs of interventions for adults with alcohol use disorder www.jsatjournal.com/article/S294... Interesting: Although focused on the most frequently used instruments, few studies report psychometric properties. #Psychometrics #Validity
jsatjournal.com
Quality of life assessment instruments used in clinical trials for alcohol use disorder: A systematic review
Quality of life (QoL) measures are increasingly used as outcome indicators in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention trials for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, there is no curr...
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Great to see colleagues at our "whole school day". I enjoyed @lmarryat.bsky.social presentation on what @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowships are. Find out more about them www.ukri.org/what-we-do/d... and about Louise's research profiles.flfdevnet.com/profile/lmar... #Funding #ECRs #Fellowship
ukri.org
Future Leaders Fellowships
Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) support talented people in universities, businesses, and other research and innovation environments. They also allow universities, research institutes, independent res...
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Dr Louise Marryat @lmarryat.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Great catching up with @dundee.ac.uk Substance Use Research Group talking about all things mental health, education, alcohol brief interventions and much more! So lucky to have such a wonderful bunch of colleagues 😊
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
* To develop these utility scores we used National Institute on Drug Abuse-published #RCT data link.springer.com/article/10.1... To me an example how #DataSharing supports research building community infrastructure. #HRQL #Psychometrics
link.springer.com
Analyzing quality of life among people with opioid use disorder from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Data Share initiative: implications for decision making - Quality of Life Research
Purpose We aimed to estimate health state utility values (HSUVs) for the key health states found in opioid use disorder (OUD) cost-effectiveness models in the published literature. Methods Data obtain...
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Julia M. Rohrer @dingdingpeng.the100.ci · 15/07/2025
Crazy coincidence how often [thing that will fix science of all of its ailments] coincides with [thing the speaker considers themselves an expert in]. Makes you think
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
The @britishacademy.bsky.social #ECR Network organises writing retreats to provide an environment where #ECRs can work on writing projects alongside peers. Scotland Writing Extravaganza at #DundeeUni 🔥14.08. Tickets here: www.tickettailor.com/events/early... #Scotland #Saidheans #AcademicWriting
tickettailor.com
Book Tickets – Scotland Writing Extravaganza, University of Dundee, 14 August, Scotland ECRs only – Tower River Room 2, Tower Building, University of Dundee
The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network brings together ECRs across the humanities and social sciences disciplines,...
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
An example of a culture where it is one rule for those at the top and another for everyone else. University of Dundee culture change will happen only when people who have aligned themselves with the values of the previous Principal and interim Principal, resign www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
thecourier.co.uk
Dundee University's ex-chief Iain Gillespie's expenses broke rules, auditors find
A secret report reveals how the then principal was approving his own expenses - some of which broke university rules.
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SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Don't miss our next SHAAP/ @sarnalcohol.bsky.social Alcohol Occasional! 🗓️Mon, 23 Jun 2025 ⏱️12:45 - 14:00 BST 🗣️Relapse prevention and alcohol related cirrhosis by Dr Christopher Oldroyd www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-oc...
eventbrite.co.uk
Alcohol Occasional 2: Relapse prevention and alcohol related cirrhosis
Join us online for the second seminar of the 2025 series, delivered by Dr Christopher Oldroyd
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Dr. Andy Mohan @andymohan.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Excellent work from our brilliant Substance Use Research Group colleague @lmarryat.bsky.social on highlighting the need to better understand how opioid use during pregnancy affects children's development www.heraldscotland.com/news/2512771...
heraldscotland.com
Study suggests children being let down by knowledge gaps around opioids
The stigma surrounding opioid use, particularly during pregnancy, could be causing significant gaps in knowledge that put children at risk.
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Mental Health Research Incubator @mhrincubator.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
On your marks, get set...GROW! 🌱 Applications for our GROW 2025 Researcher Development Programme for #mentalhealth and #addiction early career researchers are now open. ‍💫 APPLY NOW 👇 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/grow25/
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Julia M. Rohrer @dingdingpeng.the100.ci · 17/04/2025
Do you have a favorite empirical example of a situation in which there is a (documented) lack of measurement invariance? Send them all my way 😊!
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Paul Toner @ptoner.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Shocking that there were no pre-registered covariates @drjillhalladay.bsky.social
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Melissa Oldham @melissaoldham.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
If you're currently working on a PhD in the field of Addiction, you should consider signing up for the SSA PhD symposium, a fun, friendly one day event before the main conference, where you can present your research and meet your peers working across Addiction research.
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Dr. Richard A. MacKinnon @drworkpsych.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
✏️ A propos of nothing in particular (ahem) some thoughts on #SelfCare in uncertain times: www.worklifepsych.com/self-care-in...
worklifepsych.com
Self-care in uncertain times - WorkLifePsych
Now more than ever, it's important to be intentional and organised when it comes to self-care. Read on for some evidence-based recommendations.
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Read from @lmarryat.bsky.social and colleagues "We are privileged to have a huge amount of data available to research: using it in an inclusive way is not only ethical but also leads to more valuable impacts." www.britishscienceassociation.org/essay-12-dun... #SecondaryData #DundeeUni
britishscienceassociation.org
Voices in data: the power of public involvement in data research
Administrative data is collected about us every day - when we're paying tax, doing an exam or going to the doctor. These data sets are a powerful source of information to researchers, but with such co...
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
I'll offer a primer for planning randomised studies at the @sprofficial.bsky.social 56th International Meeting in Krakow, Poland, 25-28th June. You fine the other excellent pre- #conference workshops & registration here: www.psychotherapyresearch.org/page/spr2025... #PsychotherapyResearch #Hybrid
Screenshots from the conference registration page, at the top noting the conference theme ("Psychotherapy Research-Practice Integration: Who Are the Voices We Need to Hear?") and dates; at the bottom presenting an abstract for a workshop.

Jan Boehnke
A primer for planning randomised studies of psychotherapeutic interventions

Studies involving randomisation are an integral part of strategies for the evaluation of (causal) effects of therapeutic strategies and interventions. This workshop will present the key elements and practical steps for planning, developing, conducting, and reporting randomised studies of psychological interventions. The core logic and statistical arguments for an experimental study of a psychological intervention will be briefly revisited to clarify when an experimental study (and which type of such a study) is indicated. The main part of the workshop will focus on how to plan, design, and report such a study, including formal requirements to conduct a high quality study (e.g., trial registrations, ethical requirements). We will discuss the use of international guidelines as well as how and when to prepare protocols, statistical analysis plans, and/or registered reports. The workshop is built around the experience from multiple published trials by the presenter and is planned for Q&A phases to tailor the content to the audience. The aim of the workshop is to provide participants with the tools to assess published randomised studies of psycho-social interventions and the steps and resources needed to develop their own study.
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
9th National Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Research Conference www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/cen... Conference: 19th June 2025 Location: University of Birmingham #CPROR Submission deadline on 11th April More #HRQL with the starter pack go.bsky.app/Buc7gMm #HealthEconomics #PatientCentered
birmingham.ac.uk
9th National Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Research Conference - University of Birmingham
More information about the 9th National PROMs Research Conference discussing patient reported outcomes research.
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Dr. Andy Mohan @andymohan.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
This is much needed in these challenging funding times - free webinar by @icara-atod.bsky.social on securing funding & writing collaborative proposals for alcohol research with the Global South. 9th April 12-13.15 GMT+1. Please share! 👇🏽
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Paul Toner @ptoner.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
New open access paper with open science badges: Exploratory factor analysis of the post-traumatic growth inventory among individuals in recovery from addiction www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Exploratory factor analysis of the post-traumatic growth inventory among individuals in recovery from addiction
The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a widely used measure of psychological growth following adversity, although not yet validated for use with those in recovery from substance addiction. ...
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
The cuts to 632 posts announced by university executives hide behind the numbers. Every post is a person, a valued colleague. We share their stories, as part of our grassroots We are the 632 campaign #WeAreThe632 #SaveDundeeUni Up first is Anya who talks about how this will affect Dundee. 1/2
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Society for the Study of Addiction @addiction-ssa.org · 06/03/2025
The SSA is now accepting submissions for oral presentations, poster presentations, and workshops at the 2025 Annual Conference. ⏰Apply by 4 June: www.addiction-ssa.org/events/annua... #SSAConf25 #AcademicSky
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Mother, Infant and Child Research Unit (MIRU) @miru-uk.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Many health professionals are unaware of Dysphoric -Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) and Breastfeeding Aversion Response (BAR). Important scoping review in International Breastfeeding Journal by doctoral student Charlie Middleton internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
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Dr. Andy Mohan @andymohan.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
New paper alert: our qual study shows the potential of a unique #alcohol outreach service where Alcohol Nurses worked closely with general practices to support patients with #alcohol problems who did not engage with mainstream services: rdcu.be/eb6qX @shaapalcohol.bsky.social
rdcu.be
Exploring views and experiences of a unique alcohol assertive outreach model, the primary care alcohol nurse outreach service (PCANOS): a qualitative study
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Addiction Research & Theory @addictrestheory.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
“Exploratory factor analysis of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory among individuals in recovery from addiction” by Sophia Chambers, Paul Toner, & Catherine Brignell #accepted
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Jenny Scott @jscottuob.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
We have published an article exploring patterns of benzodiazepine and opioid co-use behaviour. We think understanding *how* people co-use is important in giving tailored, specific harm reduction advice to reduce deaths. 'Why co-use?' is next. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com
A qualitative study of benzodiazepine/z-drug and opioid co-use patterns and overdose risk - Harm Reduction Journal
Background Co-use of benzodiazepines and/or ‘z-drugs’ along with opioids is linked to the rise in drug related deaths (DRD) in the UK. Understanding patterns of co-use could inform harm reduction stra...
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Matt Field @fieldmatt.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
THREAD: As you may know, Nick Heather passed away last month. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_He.... His funeral is later today, and I thought I would summarize some of his contributions to the addictions field. This isn’t an obituary, or an exhaustive list of career highlights (1/n)
en.wikipedia.org
Nick Heather - Wikipedia
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Dr Lucy Foulkes @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Important new evidence published today: large-scale DofE trial (N=12,166) found that two universal MH awareness interventions, in secondary schools, led to an *increase* in emotional symptoms at long term (9-12 month) follow up tinyurl.com/4ffday8y Thread below /1
Department for Education. Effectiveness of school mental health awareness interventions
Universal approaches in English secondary schools
February 2025
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Jan R. Boehnke @jrboehnke.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Great to read about #DundeeUni colleagues being nominated at the The Scottish #KnowledgeExchange Awards for Knowledge Exchange Champion Knowledge Exchange Heroes* Making an Environmental Difference Details here: www.dundee.ac.uk/stories/dund... #Scotland #Alba #Saidheans #Eòlas
dundee.ac.uk
Dundee projects and academics recognised in Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025
Three University of Dundee academics and projects have been named as finalists of the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025
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Dr. Andy Mohan @andymohan.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Passionate about tackling #alcohol harms globally? You're invited to join an engaging discussion on efforts to reduce these harms & agenda setting for the live @alcoholreview.bsky.social online conference on 20th March. You can also sign up to present your related research as a spotlight session 👇🏽.
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Dr. Andy Mohan @andymohan.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
@icara-atod.bsky.social are looking for a UK-based project administrator. Please apply if you're interested :). @docsamantha.bsky.social @richardpurves.bsky.social @rbarry21.bsky.social
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Jess Deighton @jess-deighton.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Our large scale mental health in schools trial findings are out now! Lots to dig into, and we’ll have events next month to talk through in more detail.
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Mental Health Research Incubator @mhrincubator.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Every year @ssa-addiction.bsky.social funds 2 phds in #addiction science & they’re accepting applications now! Also they have postdoc fellowship funding opportunity too… www.addiction-ssa.org/funding/
addiction-ssa.org
Funding
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Abi Rose @abirose9.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
We're hiring people to join us at LJMU Psychology! It's a lovely place to work (and Liverpool is great - speaking from someone not born/raised here) so if you're in forensic psychology why not apply! @ljmuofficial.bsky.social jobs.ljmu.ac.uk/internal/vac...
jobs.ljmu.ac.uk
Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology (4967)
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James Lind Alliance @jameslindalliance.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Help influence the future of research to make lives better for people living with addiction, their families, and supporters! The Addiction Healthcare Goals PSP wants to know what unanswered questions should be a priority for future research to address. Have you say:
buff.ly
Addictions Priority Setting Survey
This survey asks people with experience of addictions, their carers and families, and healthcare professionals to choose the most important questions for future research
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Scottish Alcohol Research Network (SARN) @sarnalcohol.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
The deadline for abstracts for our Early and Mid-Career Alcohol Researcher Event has been extended to 9am, Monday 10th February. We are interested in hearing from PhD students, ECRs and mid-career researchers on research findings, reflections or ideas! For more information: bit.ly/4gsYMrj
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