James Morris
@jamesmorris24.bsky.social
Research interests: alcohol, addiction, stigma, framing.
https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=FHUc5jkAAAAJ&hl=en
The Alcohol Problem Podcast host
https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=FHUc5jkAAAAJ&hl=en
The Alcohol Problem Podcast host
https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Pinned
James Morris
@jamesmorris24.bsky.social
· Mar 12
Key Terms and Concepts in Alcohol Use and Problems: A Critical Evaluation - James Morris, Cassandra L Boness, Micah Hartwell, 2025
Objective: Alcohol use is linked to a wide and complex range of individual and societal harms. Decisions on whether and how to address alcohol-related harms are...
journals.sagepub.com
📃New paper (open access)
'Key Terms and Concepts in Alcohol Use and Problems: A Critical Evaluation'
Short 🧵
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
'Key Terms and Concepts in Alcohol Use and Problems: A Critical Evaluation'
Short 🧵
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Very excited about this one!!
“Not me, I’m in control!” A systematic meta-synthesis of othering amongst heavier drinkers
by James Morris, Esther Oh, Liam Verstraet, Viha Bam, Riya Manchanda, Thomas Mills, Catherine Jenkins, Ian Albery, & Melissa Oldham #accepted
by James Morris, Esther Oh, Liam Verstraet, Viha Bam, Riya Manchanda, Thomas Mills, Catherine Jenkins, Ian Albery, & Melissa Oldham #accepted
January 5, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Very excited about this one!!
Reposted by James Morris
'Clinical alcohol guidelines are welcome—but upstream action is paramount' | @jamesmorris24.bsky.social et al @addictionjournal.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Clinical alcohol guidelines are welcome—but upstream action is paramount
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
'Clinical alcohol guidelines are welcome—but upstream action is paramount' | @jamesmorris24.bsky.social et al @addictionjournal.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by James Morris
Addictions research and practice specialist interest group meeting three!
❓ When? 9th December @ 1600 📅
❓ Who? @jamesmorris24.bsky.social
❓ What? "(Mis) understanding alcohol problems? Language, labelling and stigma"
❓ How do I join? email mhincubator.addictionsig@gmail.com
❕ Please share 💚
❓ When? 9th December @ 1600 📅
❓ Who? @jamesmorris24.bsky.social
❓ What? "(Mis) understanding alcohol problems? Language, labelling and stigma"
❓ How do I join? email mhincubator.addictionsig@gmail.com
❕ Please share 💚
December 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Addictions research and practice specialist interest group meeting three!
❓ When? 9th December @ 1600 📅
❓ Who? @jamesmorris24.bsky.social
❓ What? "(Mis) understanding alcohol problems? Language, labelling and stigma"
❓ How do I join? email mhincubator.addictionsig@gmail.com
❕ Please share 💚
❓ When? 9th December @ 1600 📅
❓ Who? @jamesmorris24.bsky.social
❓ What? "(Mis) understanding alcohol problems? Language, labelling and stigma"
❓ How do I join? email mhincubator.addictionsig@gmail.com
❕ Please share 💚
New clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment have now been released. A great resource I'm proud to have been involved with.
That said, we published a letter in Addiction highlighting the importance of a broader 'upstream' public health-led approach, as well good quality treatment systems.
That said, we published a letter in Addiction highlighting the importance of a broader 'upstream' public health-led approach, as well good quality treatment systems.
December 1, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment have now been released. A great resource I'm proud to have been involved with.
That said, we published a letter in Addiction highlighting the importance of a broader 'upstream' public health-led approach, as well good quality treatment systems.
That said, we published a letter in Addiction highlighting the importance of a broader 'upstream' public health-led approach, as well good quality treatment systems.
Reposted by James Morris
A recent study warned against assuming the public health benefits of "no safe level" of alcohol messages. Among risky and hamful drinkers they may reduce problem recognition and instil more fear and resistance than promoting cutting down. @jamesmorris24.bsky.social
sciety.org/articles/act...
sciety.org/articles/act...
Effects of ‘No Safe Level’ and ‘Cutting Down’ Alcohol Messages on Problem Recognition, Defensive Processing, and Self-Efficacy in Heavy Drinkers: A Randomized Experimental Study
Background: Public health groups have increasingly been adopting a no safe level of alcohol consumption message. We aimed to test how this message affects psychological outcomes relevant for alcohol u...
sciety.org
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM
A recent study warned against assuming the public health benefits of "no safe level" of alcohol messages. Among risky and hamful drinkers they may reduce problem recognition and instil more fear and resistance than promoting cutting down. @jamesmorris24.bsky.social
sciety.org/articles/act...
sciety.org/articles/act...
Reposted by James Morris
Research Assistant Professor position at @unm.edu - join a dynamic team working with @cassie-boness.bsky.social. This position is to work on an NIH grant evaluating personalized medicine approaches for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Submit via UNMJobs by Nov 26: unm.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Research Assistant Professor in Personalized Medicine for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
Seeking applicants for a Research Assistant Professor faculty position at the University of New Mexico on an NIH funded grant evaluating personalized ...
unm.csod.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Research Assistant Professor position at @unm.edu - join a dynamic team working with @cassie-boness.bsky.social. This position is to work on an NIH grant evaluating personalized medicine approaches for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Submit via UNMJobs by Nov 26: unm.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
'What counts as drinking' in pregnancy varies - eg 'wine doesn't count' is often heard, but so much stigma around alcohol use in pregnancy. Interesting parallel with othering/problem recognition challenges @melissaoldham.bsky.social in other session #SSA2025
November 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
'What counts as drinking' in pregnancy varies - eg 'wine doesn't count' is often heard, but so much stigma around alcohol use in pregnancy. Interesting parallel with othering/problem recognition challenges @melissaoldham.bsky.social in other session #SSA2025
@leonxiao.com presents gambling data on social media ads and low compliance. Highlights #Brexit means disclosure of such data is now voluntary for UK context
#SSA2025
#SSA2025
November 6, 2025 at 11:50 AM
@leonxiao.com presents gambling data on social media ads and low compliance. Highlights #Brexit means disclosure of such data is now voluntary for UK context
#SSA2025
#SSA2025
Reposted by James Morris
We're recruiting for a new CEO!
You will be the driving force behind our mission to reduce alcohol harm and improve lives across Scotland and beyond.
Find out more and apply ⬇️
https://twp.ai/9PXLlh
You will be the driving force behind our mission to reduce alcohol harm and improve lives across Scotland and beyond.
Find out more and apply ⬇️
https://twp.ai/9PXLlh
October 20, 2025 at 10:31 AM
We're recruiting for a new CEO!
You will be the driving force behind our mission to reduce alcohol harm and improve lives across Scotland and beyond.
Find out more and apply ⬇️
https://twp.ai/9PXLlh
You will be the driving force behind our mission to reduce alcohol harm and improve lives across Scotland and beyond.
Find out more and apply ⬇️
https://twp.ai/9PXLlh
The ACTUAL truth about moderation
substack.com/@jamesmorris...
substack.com/@jamesmorris...
October 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The ACTUAL truth about moderation
substack.com/@jamesmorris...
substack.com/@jamesmorris...
Reposted by James Morris
'The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof. Georg Schomerus' | Alcohol Problem Podcast @jamesmorris24.bsky.social www.buzzsprout.com/1275176/epis...
The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof. Georg Schomerus - The Alcohol 'Problem' Podcast
In this episode I talk to Prof. Georg Schomerus, Professor and Chair at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig. Prof Schomerus is a leading academic in the field of stig...
www.buzzsprout.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:39 AM
'The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof. Georg Schomerus' | Alcohol Problem Podcast @jamesmorris24.bsky.social www.buzzsprout.com/1275176/epis...
New podcast episode:
The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof @geschom.bsky.social
Please share/rate 🙏
www.buzzsprout.com/1275176/epis...
The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof @geschom.bsky.social
Please share/rate 🙏
www.buzzsprout.com/1275176/epis...
The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof. Georg Schomerus - The Alcohol 'Problem' Podcast
In this episode I talk to Prof. Georg Schomerus, Professor and Chair at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig. Prof Schomerus is a leading academic in the field of stig...
www.buzzsprout.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
New podcast episode:
The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof @geschom.bsky.social
Please share/rate 🙏
www.buzzsprout.com/1275176/epis...
The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof @geschom.bsky.social
Please share/rate 🙏
www.buzzsprout.com/1275176/epis...
Reposted by James Morris
More than three years of research have now been published: doi.org/10.1016/S246... 🥳 @thelancetph.bsky.social #openaccess #publichealth
Can #alcohol pricing be used to lower consumption particularly in populations experiencing the most harm?
Our US modelling study suggests: YES.
Can #alcohol pricing be used to lower consumption particularly in populations experiencing the most harm?
Our US modelling study suggests: YES.
Targeting alcohol use in high-risk population groups: a US microsimulation study of beverage-specific pricing policies
Raising retail prices on alcoholic beverages preferred by high-risk groups (males, those of low socioeconomic status, and those with heavy alcohol use…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:28 AM
More than three years of research have now been published: doi.org/10.1016/S246... 🥳 @thelancetph.bsky.social #openaccess #publichealth
Can #alcohol pricing be used to lower consumption particularly in populations experiencing the most harm?
Our US modelling study suggests: YES.
Can #alcohol pricing be used to lower consumption particularly in populations experiencing the most harm?
Our US modelling study suggests: YES.
Another study indicating the uniquely high stigma of alcohol problems vs other mental health issues.
Interestingly, the alcohol condition was associated with higher likelihood of seeking help, although there is a mixed literature on alcohol stigma and help-seeking.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Interestingly, the alcohol condition was associated with higher likelihood of seeking help, although there is a mixed literature on alcohol stigma and help-seeking.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
An online vignette experiment on stigma and help-seeking attitudes towards five mental health problems in adolescents and emerging adults - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - An online vignette experiment on stigma and help-seeking attitudes towards five mental health problems in adolescents and emerging adults
www.nature.com
August 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Another study indicating the uniquely high stigma of alcohol problems vs other mental health issues.
Interestingly, the alcohol condition was associated with higher likelihood of seeking help, although there is a mixed literature on alcohol stigma and help-seeking.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Interestingly, the alcohol condition was associated with higher likelihood of seeking help, although there is a mixed literature on alcohol stigma and help-seeking.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Excellent debunking of the master narrative of addiction as a permanent severe condition always requiring abstinence.
Bravo @maiasz.bsky.social.
Bravo @maiasz.bsky.social.
Non-abstinent recovery is more common than recovery that excludes all psychoactive substances other than caffeine & nicotine. So why don't we talk about it? In light of new attacks on harm reduction, it's critical to do do.... my latest www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/o...
Opinion | I’m in Addiction Recovery and I Still Drink Wine
www.nytimes.com
August 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Excellent debunking of the master narrative of addiction as a permanent severe condition always requiring abstinence.
Bravo @maiasz.bsky.social.
Bravo @maiasz.bsky.social.
More evidence on how 'othering' is a barrier to problem recognition amongst at-risk/heavy drinking groups. Great novel study led by the excellent @melissaoldham.bsky.social and colleagues.. Open access 👇
New paper! We used focus groups and arts-based methods to explore whether people ‘other’ when making judgements about harmful drinking and the drinking contexts and features of drinking contexts perceived as being indicative of harmful drinking. bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
<em>British Journal of Health Psychology</em> | Wiley Online Library
Objectives
To explore whether people ‘other’ when making judgements about ‘harmful’ drinking and the drinking contexts (e.g., pub with friends) and features of drinking contexts (e.g., location, com.....
bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
More evidence on how 'othering' is a barrier to problem recognition amongst at-risk/heavy drinking groups. Great novel study led by the excellent @melissaoldham.bsky.social and colleagues.. Open access 👇
Reposted by James Morris
When asked to reflect on harmful drinking contexts, risky drinkers in England described a broad spectrum of harms which were differentially applicable to different drinking contexts. Participants most frequently highlighted drinking alone at home, or big days or nights out as more harmful contexts.
July 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
When asked to reflect on harmful drinking contexts, risky drinkers in England described a broad spectrum of harms which were differentially applicable to different drinking contexts. Participants most frequently highlighted drinking alone at home, or big days or nights out as more harmful contexts.
Excellent talk by @adamjkucharski.bsky.social at last week's @pubsci.bsky.social event on the science of certainty- including a great graph on a *correlation* between college alcohol spend and 1st class degree awards!
July 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Excellent talk by @adamjkucharski.bsky.social at last week's @pubsci.bsky.social event on the science of certainty- including a great graph on a *correlation* between college alcohol spend and 1st class degree awards!
Reposted by James Morris
A thoughtful piece from James for anyone interested in how problem drinking is conceptualised. The essay explores the label of 'the alcoholic', discusses issues of stigma and self-stigma, and encourages us to consider how alcohol problems exist beyond the 'alcoholism' paradigm.
I've written a piece for @addiction-ssa.org on Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring it's current role - and tensions - within the current recovery landscape 90 years after its first meetings were held. Please share 🙏
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
July 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A thoughtful piece from James for anyone interested in how problem drinking is conceptualised. The essay explores the label of 'the alcoholic', discusses issues of stigma and self-stigma, and encourages us to consider how alcohol problems exist beyond the 'alcoholism' paradigm.
Reposted by James Morris
In a new essay for the SSA, Dr James Morris explores the role of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in modern-day society, including AA’s influence over the collective understanding of drinking problems. Read the full essay here: tinyurl.com/35krp5z5 #AlcoholicsAnonymous
July 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
In a new essay for the SSA, Dr James Morris explores the role of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in modern-day society, including AA’s influence over the collective understanding of drinking problems. Read the full essay here: tinyurl.com/35krp5z5 #AlcoholicsAnonymous
I've written a piece for @addiction-ssa.org on Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring it's current role - and tensions - within the current recovery landscape 90 years after its first meetings were held. Please share 🙏
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
July 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I've written a piece for @addiction-ssa.org on Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring it's current role - and tensions - within the current recovery landscape 90 years after its first meetings were held. Please share 🙏
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
www.addiction-ssa.org/features/ess...
#alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #addiction
Prejudice (as the underlying attitude) does come before racism/stigma etc (as enacted prejudice), and yes the attitude-behaviour order is very often the other way round.
However acceptability is just one component of change- there are other important drivers of prejudice and discrimination.
However acceptability is just one component of change- there are other important drivers of prejudice and discrimination.
I think racism comes before justifications for being racist. Things don't turn people racist. What changes is the acceptability or not of racism as an approach to the world. Mollifying racists does not make them less racist. And embarrassed middle class people just walked right into that trap.
July 13, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Prejudice (as the underlying attitude) does come before racism/stigma etc (as enacted prejudice), and yes the attitude-behaviour order is very often the other way round.
However acceptability is just one component of change- there are other important drivers of prejudice and discrimination.
However acceptability is just one component of change- there are other important drivers of prejudice and discrimination.
Important study on the mental health and alcohol relationship in general population - good mental health was protective against future heavy drinking, but no other directional effects found.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ja...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ja...
July 4, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Important study on the mental health and alcohol relationship in general population - good mental health was protective against future heavy drinking, but no other directional effects found.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ja...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ja...
Painful #newsnight viewing on 10 year NHS plan as anchor asks why can't we blame 'bad patients' for being unhealthy.. no one makes the point these are population issues framed as individual ones, and how badly the plan has failed on this front
July 3, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Painful #newsnight viewing on 10 year NHS plan as anchor asks why can't we blame 'bad patients' for being unhealthy.. no one makes the point these are population issues framed as individual ones, and how badly the plan has failed on this front
Despite the public health community emphasising the need for unused policy levers for prevention of alcohol harm for decades (our recent call in @addictionjournal.bsky.social below), the labour government have ignored this in their 10 year plan. Sigh
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Clinical alcohol guidelines are welcome—but upstream action is paramount
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Despite the public health community emphasising the need for unused policy levers for prevention of alcohol harm for decades (our recent call in @addictionjournal.bsky.social below), the labour government have ignored this in their 10 year plan. Sigh
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...