This session will cover three areas of addiction where there have been recent developments. The alcohol clinical guidelines were published at the end of 2025. They have summarised the current evidence and best practice in treating individual who use alcohol problematically. This session will cover areas of the guidance which are likely to be relevant for psychiatrists treating patients with co-morbid mental health and alcohol problems. Recent research has improved knowledge about drug use in young people. Professor Sumnall will summarise this and provide insights into this. Alcohol related brain damage is common and increasingly recognised. We will summarise current knowledge with focus on assessing capacity.
Speakers
Chair: Dr Emily Finch, Chair RCPsych Addictions Faculty and Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist
Dr Jonathan Dewhurst, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester
Professor Harry Sumnall, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool
Dr Julia Lewis, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Wales
Funding
RCPsych International Congress is financially supported by the purchase of exhibition stand packages. A full list of confirmed exhibitors can be found here: Exhibiting Organisations at International Congress 2026
Availability
This webinar is part of the Congress webinar 2026 package. If you attended all four days of Congress, you will have access to these as part of your Congress package. Otherwise the Congress webinar 2026 package can be purchased below.
