More about INEBRIA

INEBRIA is an international network of researchers, policy makers, practitioners and other stakeholders interested in the potential of brief interventions in health and other settings to reduce the harms produced by alcohol and other drug use. It aims to provide global leadership in the development, evaluation and implementation of evidence‐based practice in the area of early identification and brief intervention for hazardous and harmful substance use.

Its objectives are as follows:

  • To share information, experiences, research findings and expertise in the area of early identification and brief intervention for hazardous and harmful substance use.
  • To promote best practice in, and encourage the development of, guidelines for the wide dissemination and implementation of evidence‐based early identification and brief intervention for hazardous and harmful substance use.
  • To identify gaps and needs for research in the field of early identification and brief intervention for hazardous and harmful substance use, promote International research cooperation and set standards for research.
  • To promote the Integration of the study of brief interventions for hazardous and harmful substance use with the wider context of measures to prevent and reduce substance-related harm.

The network currently has 850 members. Although the bulk of the membership is based at present in Europe, the USA and Latin America, INEBRIA seeks new members in all continents of the world. In addition to regular annual conferences, the network supports NGOs and other bodies in organising and cosponsoring events and other activities. In addition to meetings, members communicate ideas, request advice, share opinions and new information by means of a google group, to which it is easy to sign up.

INEBRIA was originally formed in 2004 following the end of the WHO Collaborative Project on Identification and Management of Alcohol-related Problems in Primary Health Care. At the Annual General Meeting in 2011, it was resolved to expand the network to include brief interventions for other psychoactive substances besides alcohol.

The annual scientific conference is the key event for the network. We have held fifteen annual conferences in the following cities: Barcelona, Spain (2004), Mϋnster, Germany (2005), Lisbon, Portugal (2006), Brussels, Belgium (2007), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil (2008), Gateshead, UK (2009), Gothenburg, Sweden (2010), Boston, USA (2011), Barcelona, Spain (2012), Roma, Italy (2013), Warsaw, Poland (2014), Atlanta, USA (2015), Lausanne, Switzerland (2016), New York (2017) and Santiago, Chile (2018).

INEBRIA is supported by a secretariat based at the Health Department of the Government of Catalonia in Barcelona and includes a semi‐autonomous branch located currently in Mexico (INEBRIA Latina). Sven Andreasson was elected as the President of INEBRIA in 2015, succeeding Jim McCambridge, Nick Heather and Peter Anderson in this role. Strategic leadership is provided by a coordinating committee who meet quarterly to oversee the development of the network.