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(The ever-increasing benefits of Abstinence for ALL)
Two groundbreaking studies from the Ministry of Justice have revealed that Drug-Free prison wings create significantly safer and more stable environments for both prisoners and staff. The research provides compelling evidence that Incentivised Substance Free Living wings work.
Dramatic Reduction in Violence and Self-Harm
A randomised controlled trial published on 11th December 2025 found that prisoners living on Drug-Free prison wings were 31% less likely to be involved in assault incidents. They were also 31% less likely to self-harm and 32% less likely to be involved in disorder incidents.
The study examined 60 prisoners across four prisons. Twenty-eight lived on substance-free living units whilst 32 resided on standard wings. The research team used innovative waitlist randomisation to ensure robust results.
Researchers measured outcomes over a three-month period. The findings showed a 93.1% probability that Drug-Free prison wings have a beneficial effect in reducing assault incidents.
What Are Incentivised Substance Free Living Wings?
ISFLs are dedicated spaces within prisons for prisoners who want to live Drug-Free. Residents receive incentives for remaining substance-free. These include additional access to gym equipment, entertainment facilities, and extra time out of cell. Prisoners also undergo regular drug testing.
New residents sign a compact outlining expectations for acceptable behaviour. The agreement clearly states what leads to removal from the wing. Creating a positive and supportive environment by both prisoners and staff proves crucial to success.
These wings replaced Voluntary Testing Units introduced in 1998. As of April 2025, 85 prisons operated ISFLs out of 123 prisons in England and Wales.
How Substance-Free Living Units Function
A second study, published on 14th December 2025, examined how well-established Drug-Free prison wings operate in three male prisons. Researchers from RAND Europe gathered data through observations, interviews, and focus groups. They spoke with 25 staff members and 28 prisoners between August and October 2024.
The study identified four main themes reflecting experiences on these wings:
Clean and Calm Environment: Prisoners and staff reported that spaces on Drug-Free prison wings were clean, calm, and genuinely facilitated substance-free living.
Clear Accountability: Prisoners understood they must abide by certain rules to enjoy the wing’s benefits. Staff reported being held accountable by colleagues and prisoners for their attitudes.
Strong Relationships: The substance-free living units facilitated strong bonds amongst prisoners and between prisoners and staff.
Wing Identity: Perceptions varied across prisons. Some staff and prisoners on other wings held negative impressions, often relating to stigmatisation of people who use drugs.
Supporting Recovery Through Community
The findings align with the CHIME model of recovery. This framework emphasises Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning, and Empowerment. Prisoners and staff described strong relationships that encouraged support and responsibility.
Living in a Drug-Free space gave people hope for change and a better future. Taking part in activities and learning new skills helped them see themselves more positively. Good access to health services and caring staff supported wellbeing and sense of purpose.
Prisoners felt more in control of their recovery. They worked alongside staff to create a safe, supportive, and responsible community.
Four Key Recommendations
The research team identified four crucial elements for creating effective Drug-Free prison wings:
Building Community: Creating and sustaining community proves essential for safety and stability. Prisoners shared positive experiences through communal and peer-led activities. This built a community atmosphere where residents felt social obligation and accountability to each other and staff.
Open and trusting communication practices strengthened relationships. These allowed prisoners to resolve disputes constructively rather than through aggression seen on other wings.
Balanced Population Mix: Having prisoners at different points in their recovery journey, plus those without drug use history, provided new insights and growth opportunities. Early-recovery prisoners found inspiration from long-term recovery residents. Prisoners without recovery needs gained confidence through mentorship roles.
Staff Development: Working on substance-free living units gave staff opportunities for professional growth and more rewarding experiences. Staff reported finding their work satisfying and meaningful. This contributed positively to their wellbeing and may support retention whilst reducing absences.
Selecting staff with strong interest in and commitment to the recovery ethos proved crucial. Constructive challenge from colleagues and prisoners facilitated professional and personal growth.
Raising Awareness: More work needs doing amongst prison leadership to raise awareness of ISFL purpose and benefits. In two prisons, participants reported that staff and prisoners on other wings held negative impressions or little understanding of the wings’ purpose.
Ensuring all staff and prisoners understand the wing’s identity and purpose could increase potential for supporting recovery and personal growth.
The Wider Context
The research forms part of the Tackling Drug Misuse in Prisons Evaluation Programme. The studies focused on safety and stability outcomes rather than drug treatment measures specifically.
Drug-Free prison wings offer an alternative approach to managing substance misuse in custody. Rather than focusing solely on treatment, they create environments where choosing abstinence becomes easier and more rewarding.
The incentive-based model recognises that prisoners need positive reasons to maintain substance-free living. Better conditions, more activities, and stronger support networks provide those reasons.
Benefits Beyond the Wing
The impact of substance-free living units extends beyond immediate safety improvements. Prisoners develop skills and relationships that support successful reintegration into community life after release.
Staff working on these wings report greater job satisfaction. The positive environment and meaningful work contribute to better retention rates. This creates stability that further enhances the wing’s effectiveness.
Families visiting prisoners on Drug-Free prison wings often notice improvements in their loved ones’ wellbeing and outlook. The calmer environment makes visits more positive experiences.
Challenges Remain
Despite positive findings, challenges persist. Some prisoners and staff in other wings hold negative views about substance-free living units. Addressing stigma around recovery and Drug-Free living requires ongoing effort.
Maintaining appropriate staffing levels proves crucial. Drug-Free prison wings need committed staff who understand and support the recovery ethos. Staff shortages can undermine the community atmosphere that makes these wings successful.
Ensuring a balanced mix of residents requires careful management. Too many early-recovery prisoners might overwhelm the supportive environment. Too few creates missed opportunities for peer support and learning.
Looking Forward
The research provides robust evidence that Drug-Free prison wings deliver measurable benefits. The 31% reduction in assault incidents represents significant improvement in prison safety and stability.
The findings suggest that expanding well-implemented substance-free living units could improve outcomes across the prison estate. Success depends on proper implementation with committed staff, appropriate incentives, and strong community ethos.
As prisons face ongoing challenges with drugs, violence, and overcrowding, the model offers a proven approach. Creating dedicated spaces where prisoners can choose substance-free living provides hope and practical support for those wanting to change.
The December 2025 studies demonstrate that when properly resourced and staffed, Drug-Free prison wings work. They create safer environments, support recovery journeys, and provide staff with more rewarding roles. For a prison system under significant pressure, these findings offer valuable insights into what works.
(Source: WRD News)
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Prioritizing Abstinence-Based Prevention, Regulation, and Recovery to Reduce Substance-Related Harm and Promote Mental Health at a Population-LevelThis commentary argues the need to prioritize regulation and abstinence-based prevention and recovery as critical services in efforts to maximize the reduction of substance-related harm and the promotion of mental health at a population-level.
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“The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been under attack since 2008, where those seeking to legalise illicit drug use have sought to position drug users as victims, more vulnerable than children. They are seeking to undermine what is the most ratified (196 countries) of all UN Treaties and Conventions. This document provides the evidentiary basis upon which so many countries agreed to protect their children, focusing here on Article 33 - the Right of the Child to live in an environment free of illicit drug use.”
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Recent scientific research has introduced a groundbreaking tool for understanding one of the most powerful forces in addiction: craving. The Craving Assessment Scale for Behavioural Addictions and Substance-use Disorders (CASBAS) represents a significant advancement in how we measure and comprehend the intense desires that characterise addictive patterns.
What Is Craving Assessment and Why Does It Matter?
Craving is defined as an intense, subjective experience of desire—an overwhelming urge to use a substance or engage in a specific behaviour. This phenomenon sits at the heart of addiction, affecting everything from initial substance use to the likelihood of relapse after treatment.
Understanding craving is crucial because it plays both a symptomatic and mechanistic role in addiction development. Research demonstrates that craving intensity can predict:
- How likely someone is to engage in addictive behaviours
- Difficulties in controlling substance use or behavioural patterns
- Treatment outcomes and recovery success
- Risk of relapse during recovery attempts
The Three Faces of Craving Assessment
The CASBAS identifies three distinct types of craving experiences, each with different underlying motivations:
- Reward Craving
This type involves seeking positive feelings and stimulation. People experiencing reward craving are driven by the desire for pleasurable sensations and the positive reinforcement that comes from engaging in the behaviour or using the substance.
- Relief Craving
Relief craving centres on escaping negative feelings. Individuals seek to reduce tension, stress, or discomfort through their addictive behaviour. This form of craving often increases during periods of heightened stress or anxiety.
- Urgency
Characterised by intrusive, repetitive thoughts, urgency represents the obsessive component of craving. Those experiencing high urgency feel they cannot think about anything else and struggle with impaired functioning due to their intense desire.
Why Standardised Craving Assessment Transforms Research
Previously, researchers faced significant challenges because different tools measured craving differently across various substances and behaviours. This inconsistency made it difficult to compare findings or understand craving as a universal phenomenon in addiction.
The CASBAS addresses this gap by using the same six questions across eight different addictive patterns, including gaming, gambling, shopping, social media use, and substance use involving alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine. This standardisation allows researchers to identify common mechanisms whilst respecting the unique characteristics of different addictive behaviours.
Understanding Craving Changes Over Time
One particularly valuable finding shows that craving is not constant—it fluctuates based on situations and exposures. Research using the CASBAS demonstrated that craving levels:
- Decrease during neutral activities
- Increase significantly when people imagine engaging in their specific addictive behaviour
- Respond to environmental cues and triggers
This understanding has important implications. If craving is situational and changeable, interventions can be developed to help people manage these intense urges when they arise.
The Role of Mental Imagery in Craving Assessment
Interestingly, research revealed that mental imagery abilities play a significant role in craving intensity. When people vividly imagine engaging in an addictive behaviour, their craving levels rise substantially. This finding aligns with psychological theories suggesting that mental imagery is a precondition for forming subjective states of desire.
This insight opens possibilities for intervention strategies that address how people think about and imagine their addictive behaviours.
Looking Forward: Applications for Prevention
The development of reliable craving assessment tools represents progress in understanding addiction mechanisms. By identifying different craving types and their triggers, researchers can better understand the pathways that lead from initial experimentation to problematic patterns.
For young people and families, understanding that craving involves distinct psychological processes—seeking reward, avoiding discomfort, and experiencing urgency—provides a framework for recognising early warning signs. The transient nature of craving also offers hope: these intense feelings pass, and with appropriate strategies, they can be managed.
As research continues using standardised tools like the CASBAS, we move closer to comprehensive understanding of how addictive patterns develop and, crucially, how they might be prevented before they take hold. (Source: WRD News)
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The Psychedelic Syndicate: How Silicon Valley Used Veterans to Hijack the Psychedelic Industry
Excerpt from Executive Summary
This report provides an in-depth examination of how a strategic, well-funded campaign operated to influence public perception at the expense of public health.
Psymposia has spent over a year investigating the financial and political forces shaping the psychedelic industry. Through analysis of hundreds of internal documents — including unedited emails, transcripts, presentations, and other primary materials spanning nearly a decade — this report describes the rise of the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC) and its extensive influence across the field.
The prevailing media narrative has characterized the psychedelic movement as an organic coalition of grassroots activists motivated by psychedelics’ therapeutic potential. Our analysis reveals PSFC's coordinated efforts to circumvent federal regulatory structures and manipulate state-level policy development, transforming a community-led movement into a vehicle for centralized corporate influence.
Following the FDA’s 2024 rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy, PSFC-funded organizations targeted critics and whistleblowers in collaboration with the Psychedelic Communications Hub (now incorporated into the Psychedelic Safety Institute). Organizations involved in this campaign included the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Lykos Therapeutics, and veterans groups Heroic Hearts Project and Healing Breakthrough.
Having failed to subvert the FDA regulatory process, these groups are now appealing to the Trump administration to accelerate approval based on data from clinical trials characterized by serious scientific failures. Disregarding public safety concerns in their rush to bring an experimental therapy to market, PSFC responded to the FDA's rejection by intensifying strategies that would amount to regulatory capture.