Addictive behaviours, including substance use (a.o. nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use), over-eating, and compulsive Internet use are highly prevalent among youth and associated with significant (mental) health risks. Our mission is to unravel the development of these addictive behaviours among children, adolescents, and young adults in order to prevent adverse health outcomes later in life. Through applying a multidisciplinary perspective and using primarily longitudinal designs, we strive to understand the onset and developmental trajectories of substance use and addictive behaviours.
Substance use Addiction & Food (SAF)
Research
Our research focuses specifically on genetic and environmental effects (and their interaction), as well as underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The knowledge we derive from our studies, along with internationally published findings, is used to develop prevention and intervention programs that we rigorously test in randomized controlled trials. Overall, we aim to develop theoretical frameworks based on studies using state-of-the-art methodologies with the ultimate goal to stimulate positive behavioral change.
Radboud Team Science Award
Publications
We aim to facilitate easy access to our research findings on substance use, addiction, and food. Click on the button below to view our research publications and gain immediate access to the valuable insights we have gathered.
RAD blog
On the RAD blog we write monthly articles about our research on substance use and addiction, with a particular focus on smoking, drug and alcohol use, and diet. Do you want to stay up to date on the latest insights in the field?
SAF Meetings
We have monthly SAF-meetings in which we discuss theoretical and practical issues related to our projects and recent developments in the field of substance use, addictive behaviours, and food research in an informal way. Would you like to join us? Please contact Jacqueline Vink.