This is EUFAS

The purpose of EUFAS, founded in 2010, is to promote education and advances in knowledge and understanding in the field of addiction in all European countries, for the non-profit protection of health. ‘Addiction’ comprises all mental disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances and non-substance habit-forming products (such as gambling).

    • Improve addiction care in European countries

    • Improve prevention measures both on a national as well as a European level

    • Support those European countries whose prevention and treatment systems may be less developed

    • Influence the allocation of financial resources for addiction research on a national as well as a European level

    • Reinforce addiction research in Europe

    • Improve and harmonise prevention and treatment

    • Suggest policies based on evidence

President’s Welcome

Welcome to the website of the European Federation of Addiction Societies (EUFAS). We are a European umbrella organisation that brings together associations working in the field of substance use and addiction, including prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and research. Our mission is to promote evidence-based approaches, foster collaboration across borders, and ensure that new knowledge is shared effectively among professionals, policymakers, and the public. By strengthening cooperation and supporting high-quality research, we aim to improve prevention, treatment, and care for individuals affected by substance use disorders throughout Europe.

Professor Jørgen G. Bramness (MD, PhD)

Executive Committee

  • Jørgen G. Bramness

    PRESIDENT

  • Benjamin Rolland

    FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

  • Eva Hoch

    SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT

  • Joar Guterstam

    SECRETARY GENERAL

  • Frieder Wurst

    TREASURER

  • Marcin Wojnar

    WITHOUT PORTOFOLIO

  • Cristina Ribeiro

    WITHOUT PORTOFOLIO

  • Philippe de Timary

    WITHOUT PORTOFOLIO

  • Roberta Agabio

    WITHOUT PORTOFOLIO

  • Colin Drummond

    IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT

  • Karen Ersche

    EX-OFFICIO ES MEMBER AS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF EAR

  • Karl Mann

    FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND PERMANENT GUEST IN THE EC

  • Antoni Gual

    FORMER PRESIDENT AND PERMANENT GUEST IN THE EC

  • Geert Dom

    Description goes here

    • Geert Dom (immediate past president and chair)

    • Marcin Wojnar

    • Gerardo Flores

    • Karl Mann

    • Geert Dom (immediate past president and chair)

    • Karen Ersche (editor-in-chief EAR)

    • Jørgen G. Bramness

    • Connor Farren

Historical Background

The “burden of disease study” clearly outlines the significant impact of addictive behaviours on public health. While tobacco smoking is number one, alcohol consumption is the second top contributor in Europe and other developed regions (Global Health Risks Report, WHO 2009). The European Brain Council estimates there are 37 million cases of addiction in the EU (including Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland), costing around 110 billion Euros annually, including 53 billion Euros related to crime from alcohol and drug use (Andlin-Sobocki & Rehm, 2005).

Fundings for addiction research in Europe are in sharp contrast to these estimates, with no dedicated chapter in framework programs and only a few small projects funded. Despite similarities in addictive behaviours across Europe, treatment approaches and national systems vary significantly. Countries would highly benefit from sharing knowledge and practices. Simple benchmarking processes could help address key questions about treatment availability, caregiver organisation, preventive measures, and ethical standards, potentially improving care for those affected and reducing the costs of addiction in Europe.