Why do we need SEIER?
Medication-assisted rehabilitation (LAR) has saved many lives and reduced the number of overdose deaths. Nevertheless, many individuals with substance use disorders die early from heart and vascular diseases, lung diseases, mental health issues, and other conditions that could have been prevented or treated.
The research centre SEIER aims to develop and trial treatment methods that can become part of substance use treatment. The goal is to provide better health, quality of life, and living conditions for individuals with substance use problems, and to strengthen substance use treatment in the future.
Our goals
We shall:
- map out which diseases and risk factors contribute most to early death and poor health in this patient group
- develop and trial new treatment models through large clinical studies
- acquire knowledge that can be used to prioritise and implement the measures that are most effective, both in Norway and internationally.
Main Studies
We are planning several large studies that will be central to the research at the centre:
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Treatment of severe mental health issues
We will investigate whether structured trauma treatment or mentalisation-based therapy can become part of substance use treatment and reduce mental health issues. -
Hormone treatment for low levels of sex hormones
Long-term use of opioids can lead to low levels of sex hormones. We will examine whether hormone treatment can reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. -
Diet and dental health
We will explore whether digital tools and close monitoring of diet and dental health can improve health for individuals with substance dependence.
Users are involved in the entire process
Individuals with personal experience from the substance use field participate throughout the research process. They are involved in:
- choosing research questions
- developing interventions
- interpreting results
- disseminating knowledge
Marianne Pierron, leader of the user organisation HUSET, and Arild Knutsen, leader of the Association for Human Drug Policy, play central roles in the centre.
About the Centre
The research centre SEIER is part of the Addiction and Dependency Clinic at Helse Bergen. The centre collaborates closely with the University of Bergen, the Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting, and Helse Stavanger.
Leaders and staff at the centre
Organisation
- Centre Leader: Lars Thore Fadnes
- Board: Christian Ohldieck, Gry Dale, and Arild Knutsen
- Scientific Expert Panel: Nadine Ezard, Fatemeh Chalabianloo, and Carlos Celis Morales
- Partners: University of Bergen, Helse Stavanger, HUSET, and the Association for Human Drug Policy
The scientific expert panel contributes independent quality assurance of the research.
Where are we located?
Many of the staff are based at Engenhuset, Håkonsgaten 1, 5015 Bergen.
Funding
SEIER has received 30 million Norwegian kroner from the Trond Mohn Research Foundation. Helse Bergen contributes an equivalent in-kind effort.
This support enables the establishment of a long-term research environment in an area where there is a significant need for more knowledge.