Substance Use

The Substance Use research group aims to understand the social context of substance use and develop interventions to reduce harm.

In line with Glasgow Caledonian University’s mission to serve the Common Good and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we seek to improve good health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities and contribute to gender equality. Our research aims to improve the health of disadvantaged groups (for example, heavy drinkers living in deprived areas, older drinkers, people who inject drugs, and families affected by substance use).

Another major focus is understanding men's and women’s relationships with alcohol across the life course, highlighting the increase in alcohol marketing aimed at women (via the #dontpinkmydrink social media campaign) and exploring how we can improve alcohol services for LGBTQ+ people. We have received funding from ESRC, NIHR, CSO, SHAAP, Alcohol Research UK and the Big Lottery.

The Substance Use group works closely with the third sector (for example, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, Alcohol Focus Scotland, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, Institute for Alcohol Studies) engages with practitioners, policymakers, and the public through blogs and social media (@SubMisuseGcu has over 3,800 followers), media coverage, invitations to contribute to expert groups, and presenting at public events and the Scottish Parliament.

Read about our #dontpinkmydrink social media campaign which highlights stereotypical and cynical marketing of alcohol to women.

Contact information

Research Group Leads

Professor Carol Emslie

Email: Carol.Emslie@gcu.ac.uk

Professor Elizabeth Hughes

Email: Elizabeth.Hughes@gcu.ac.uk

Follow us on X/Twitter @SubMisuseGcu

Our research

Latest news

Sober curiosity

GCU’s Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) has teamed up with experts from America to find new ways to help LGBTQ+ women reduce their alcohol intake

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Clyde Built Radio debut

Glasgow Caledonian University substance use experts took to the airwaves on the Clyde Built Radio show to share their LGBTQ+ research

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LGBTQ+ alcohol-related health inequalities

Professor Carol Emslie explains the key recommendations from the SHAAP-funded study into LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of alcohol services in Scotland.


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PhD opportunities

Find PhD opportunities at The School of Health and Life Sciences.

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Patient and public involvement

Find out more about patient and public involvement in our research.

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Newsletters

Welcome to the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) newsletter highlighting the latest research from the School of Health and Life Sciences at GCU.

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ReaCH

The core of our activity is to focus on enhancing the lives of people with long-term health conditions as well as developing and evaluating public health and lifestyle interventions.

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