The SSA is a membership organisation with a mission to advance the scientific understanding of addiction. Here are some ideas about how to get more involved with the Society.
1. Follow the SSA on social media
You can find the SSA on LinkedIn and X/Twitter, as well as some of the SSA’s staff and trustees. Social media is a good way to learn about people’s individual interests and the professional experience they bring to their roles. It’s also a great place to ask questions and get feedback.
2. Sign up to the newsletter
The SSA publishes a monthly newsletter. This includes news and opportunities from the Society, plus blogs, essays, and interviews that aim to cultivate a curious, critical, and compassionate discourse around addiction.
3. Join the Early Career Research Network
The SSA’s Early Career Research Network (ECRN) is run by and for people at the beginning of their research careers in the field of addiction. Sign up for free career resources, webinars, and funding opportunities and prizes.
4. Listen to Addiction Audio
Addiction Audio is the podcast from the SSA’s Addiction journal, featuring interviews with authors about their research. Recent episodes include Professor David Hammond talking to Dr Elle Wadsworth about young people and vaping, and Dr Kathleen Page discussing mobile buprenorphine prescribing with Ben Scher.
5. Write for the SSA
The SSA website was redesigned in 2023 and now includes career resources for professionals in the field of addiction and features about the topic of addiction. The SSA is keen to expand the diversity of website contributors. Get in touch with the editor Natalie Davies if you have an idea for a blog.
6. Read Addiction
Addiction publishes peer-reviewed research reports on pharmalogical and behavioural addictions, offers a lively forum for debate with editorials, commentaries, interviews with leading figures in the field, and a comprehensive book review section. Browse issues online, and read for free if you are a member or associate of the SSA.
7. Read Addiction Biology
Addiction Biology focuses on advancing the understanding of substances and addiction from a neuroscience perspective. Accepted papers typically span behavioural, molecular, genetic, biochemical, neurobiological, and pharmacological fields of animal experimentation and clinical research. Browse issues online, and read for free if you are a member or associate of the SSA.
8. Visit the Wellcome Collection
The Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library in Central London exploring health and human experience. The Wellcome Collection includes historical documents about the Society dating back to the 19th century, which were curated by historian Professor Virginia Berridge. Contact info@wellcomecollection.org for information on how to view the archives.
9. Become a paid member or student associate
The SSA was founded in 1884 as the Society for the Study and Cure of Inebriety. It was originally a membership organisation for medical professionals. Today, the SSA remains a membership organisation, but represents people with diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives – from psychiatry and sociology, to neurobiology and pharmacology. There are two options available: join as a member if you have at least 12 months’ experience in the addiction field or have academic or professional qualifications in the subject of addiction; join as an associate if you are currently studying towards a qualification in the subject of addiction. Benefits include exclusive funding opportunities, free access to Addiction and Addiction Biology, and reduced-rate tickets to the Annual Conference.
10. Come to the 2025 Annual Conference
The SSA’s Annual Conference has become the UK’s foremost gathering of addiction researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and experts by experience. In 2024, 240 delegates from 12 countries came together to celebrate excellence in addiction science. Next year’s Annual Conference will be held in Newcastle upon Tyne on 6 and 7 November. Add the dates to your diary, and look out for speaking opportunities and early-bird ticket discounts via the website, social media, and newsletter.
