Within the Addictions Department, we work closely with our own Service User Research Group (SURG). The central aim of the SURG is to build meaningful and reciprocal relationships between addiction researchers and service users when thinking through research problems, designing studies, preparing grant applications and ultimately conducting and disseminating research. Addiction researchers benefit from having expert service users on hand to advise on their studies and group members benefit from research training, access to cutting edge information on emerging drug treatments, and some work experience.