The European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, Lisbon Addictions 2024, took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from October 23-25. The event attracted over 2,200 participants from more than 100 countries and covered a wide range of topics related to addiction. Several CEACG researchers were able to attend the conference this year.
CEACG director Virve Marionneau considered the conference a success, despite the overwhelming scale of the event. She emphasized the value of networking with colleagues from around the world and highlighted the conference's diverse program, which offered opportunities to learn from other fields as well. She noted that attending sessions outside her own area of research was valuable:
"Participating in sessions from other disciplines opens up new perspectives on gambling research.”
Behavioral addictions such as gambling were strongly featured at this year’s conference. Virve Marionneau took part in presenting The Lancet Public Health Commission on Gambling -report, which she co-authored with an international team of experts. The report focuses on the significant risks and harms associated with commercial gambling and offers recommendations for better regulation of the industry. The publication was officially launched at Lisbon Addiction 2024.
University researcher Janne Nikkinen’s presentation in turn highlighted the relationship between gambling and the risk of suicide. The presentation was based on a qualitative literature review The Relationship Between Gambling and Suicides or Suicidality he conducted with Marionneau, published in 2022.
“The main message of the presentation was that gambling is associated with an increased risk of suicide, and this risk can be mitigated by reducing gambling opportunities and limiting access to high-interest loans, which can help prevent excessive indebtedness.”
Tom Kettunen, editor at Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, found the conference’s focus on lived experiences particularly interesting.
"Already the first session discussed how people with lived experience can be genuinely involved in research and interventions, rather than only being included symbolically. It also broke down the barrier between experts and those directly affected by addiction.”
PhD researcher Mika Tsupari also appreciated the conference’s fresh approach to addiction issues compared to the Finnish debate on gambling and drugs. His own presentation was about his research on the framing of psychedelics in the Finnish media in the 1960s and 70s and in the recent years.
"A wide range of substances and problems related to them were brought up in the drug debate. With regard to gambling, the gambling ecosystem, the role of the industry and its tactics to normalize gambling and influence legislation were explored."
Overall, Lisbon Addictions 2024 provided CEACG staff with fresh perspectives as well as opportunities to present their own contribution to addiction research and network with familiar and new colleagues. Hope to see you again in two years, Lisbon!