Brussels, Belgium – 3 December 2025
AddictEU returns for its third annual edition, bringing together leading scientists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and civil society to address the most pressing challenges at the intersection of mental health and addiction in Europe. Since its launch in 2023, AddictEU has grown into a recognised European platform for evidence-based dialogue, offering a unique space where multidisciplinary expertise meets policymaking.
This year’s conference will once again convene high-level speakers from EU institutions, national governments, academia, health services, and civil society organisations. The 2025 programme places a strong emphasis on resilience, vulnerable populations, and innovative policy approaches to emerging psychomodulatory substances.
A Growing European Platform for Mental Health & Addiction Policy
Following its 2024 edition in Bratislava, which spotlighted community-level addiction and mental health services across Central and Eastern Europe, AddictEU 2025 shifts its focus to the integration of services, the rising burden of licit drug use, and the emerging risks posed by rapidly evolving psychoactive substances.
With mental ill-health affecting an estimated 84 million EU residents, and addiction continuing to impose high human and economic costs, the conference aims to support the development of comprehensive, evidence-based, and forward-looking public health responses.
Key Themes at AddictEU 2025
Fostering a more resilient EU society by tackling the dual mental health and addiction challenge
The discussion panel will focus on building health resilience, particularly in relation to socio-economic determinants of health. The panel will also explore policy efforts at the EU level, such as the ‘Comprehensive approach to mental health’ published by the European Commission in 2023. Moreover, that same year the Spanish Presidency in its Council Conclusions clearly acknowledged the interplay between mental health and addictions. Taking stock of the current state of addiction and mental health policies in the EU, the panel will identify and discuss the remaining gaps to be closed.
- Prof. Aileen O’Gorman, Ph.D., Professor of Substance Use and Social Policy, University of the West of Scotland
- Prof. Vim van den Brink, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam
- Rafaela Rigoni, Ph.D., Head of Research, Correlation-European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN)
- Mikulas Peksa, Ph.D., Former Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Regulatory Board of the Institute for Mental Health and Addiction Studies (IMHAS), CEO of Cybermindnet
Building health resilience and protecting vulnerable groups in the EU
This panel will explore the ways to reduce the public health and economic burden of diseases linked to licit drug use through effective policy measures. It will examine evidence-based regulation and prevention strategies to address dependency. Discussions will aim to find a balance between cultural acceptance and public health protection, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, especially youth, and on building long-term health resilience.
- Dr. Ladislav Kážmér, National Institute of Mental Health, Czechia (NIMH) and Member of the Scientific Board of Institute for Mental Health and Addiction Studies (IMHAS)
- Dr. Krzystof Landa, M.D, Former Deputy Minister of Health of Poland and President of the Ukrainian Society of Evidence-Based Health Care
- Helena Gherasim, Member of Council of Europe Steering Committee for Human Rights, Head of Association of Providers of Addiction Services (APAS), Member of the Czech Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination
Evidence-based policy solution to regulating psychomodulatory substances
This panel will explore evidence-based policy solutions to address the rise of new psychoactive compounds, focusing on innovative regulation and public health protection approaches. In particular, the new regulation on psychomodulatory substances in the Czech Republic, enacted in 2024 with harm reduction measures like licensing and age restrictions, offers a pioneering framework for managing these emerging challenges. Experts will share insights on implementing harm reduction strategies alongside public education to enhance public safety, reduce social stigma and criminalisation, and pave the way for smarter regulatory practices across the EU.
- Ondrej Kolar, Member of the European Parliament, EPP, Czechia, Member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights
- Assoc. Prof. Viktor Mravcik, Head of Science at the Institute for Rational Addiction Policies (IRAP) and Scientific Advisor of the National Drug Coordinator, Office of the Czech Government
- Jana Michailidu, Ph.D, Advisor to the Czech Ministry of Justice on Addiction Policy, Alternate Member of Management Board Member of EUDA, and Head of IRAP Expert Center
- Alcina Correia, Director of Monitoring and Information Department at the Portuguese General Directorate on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD)
AddictEU 2025 is jointly organised by:
- Institute for Rational Addiction Policies (IRAP) – https://addiction-policy.eu/en
- Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN) – https://correlation-net.org
For more information about the program and participants, check AddictEU website: https://www.addicteu.eu