My Life and Work in the Study of Addiction and Gambling
By Jim Orford
My name is Jim Orford, and throughout my academic life I have devoted myself to understanding addiction, human behaviour, and the social consequences of gambling. I have spent decades studying how individuals and families experience addiction and how society responds to it. My journey as a psychologist has taken me through hospitals, universities, and research centres across the United Kingdom. Today I remain closely connected to the academic world as Emeritus Professor of Clinical and Community Psychology at the University of Birmingham.
In this autobiographical reflection I would like to describe my path into psychology, the experiences that shaped my thinking about addiction and gambling, and the research that I believe has helped improve the understanding of gambling harms.
Early Life and Academic Beginnings
I began my academic journey studying Natural Sciences and Psychology during my undergraduate education. Fascinated by the complexities of human behaviour, I decided to continue my studies in clinical psychology. This path led me to the Institute of Psychiatry in London, where I completed a Diploma in Clinical Psychology and later a PhD.
During those early years, I became increasingly interested in the ways individuals struggle with addiction. My initial research focused on family relationships and addiction, particularly how family members respond when someone close to them develops a dependency. These ideas later shaped much of my work in community psychology.
My first professional roles were as a clinical psychologist in London and Manchester, where I worked with patients and families facing alcohol and drug problems. Those experiences were formative. I saw firsthand how addiction affected not just individuals but entire families and communities.
Moving Into Academic Psychology
Eventually my career brought me to academia. I accepted a joint position between the National Health Service (NHS) and the University of Exeter, where I became involved in clinical psychology training programs. My role involved teaching future psychologists and conducting research into addiction and behavioural problems.
For more than twenty years I helped direct clinical psychology training programs, working closely with students and professionals from various health disciplines. Teaching was always a vital part of my work, as I believed strongly in the importance of training psychologists who could understand addiction from both clinical and social perspectives.
In 1993 I moved to the University of Birmingham, where I continued my work in research and education. There I became deeply involved in studying addiction from a broader societal perspective, particularly focusing on alcohol, drugs, and gambling.
My Research on Addiction
One of the central themes of my research has been the concept of “excessive appetites.” I developed this idea to explain how addictive behaviours—such as alcohol use, drug consumption, and gambling—can arise from normal human desires when they become excessive or uncontrolled.
Rather than viewing addiction purely as a medical disease, I argued that addiction should be understood as a complex interaction of personal, social, and environmental factors. This perspective allowed researchers to consider addiction not just as a biological issue but as a behavioural and societal phenomenon.
My work on addiction also explored how families cope with addiction and how support networks can influence recovery. I have always believed that the experiences of family members are an essential part of understanding addiction.
Discovering the Importance of Gambling Research
Although my early research focused largely on alcohol and drug addiction, I gradually became increasingly interested in gambling. During the late twentieth century, gambling was expanding rapidly in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
I observed that governments were promoting gambling as entertainment while paying insufficient attention to its potential harms. This realization motivated me to begin researching gambling addiction and gambling policy.
I became involved in the Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling and Addiction Research Group at the University of Birmingham, where I worked with colleagues to study the social impact of gambling.
Our research examined topics such as:
- Problem gambling behaviour
- Social and economic consequences of gambling
- Gambling policy and regulation
- The role of gambling industries in shaping public perception
Through this work I became convinced that gambling should be treated as a public health issue rather than merely a recreational activity.
Writing An Unsafe Bet
One of my most widely known books is “An Unsafe Bet? The Dangerous Rise of Gambling and the Debate We Should Be Having.” In this book I examined the rapid growth of the gambling industry and its consequences for society.
I argued that modern commercial gambling presents significant risks to public health because of its addictive potential. I also raised concerns about the relationship between governments and the gambling industry.
My intention was not to condemn gambling entirely but to encourage a more balanced and informed discussion about its risks and regulation.
Major Publications
Below is a selection of my publications and books that have contributed to the field of addiction and gambling research.
| Year | Publication | Description | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Excessive Appetites | Psychological exploration of addiction and behavioural dependence. | View Publication |
| 2008 | Community Psychology | Discussion of community approaches to psychological health. | View Publication |
| 2011 | An Unsafe Bet? | Analysis of gambling expansion and its societal impact. | Wiley Online Library |
| 2013 | Addiction Dilemmas | Explores addiction experiences from the perspective of families. | View Publication |
Interactive Table of My Academic Career
The following interactive table summarizes the institutions where I have worked throughout my career.
Academic Positions
Throughout my academic career, I have held several positions that allowed me to combine clinical practice with psychological research. Each institution where I worked provided unique opportunities to explore the social and psychological aspects of addiction and behavioural problems. My early professional experience within the National Health Service helped me develop a deeper understanding of the real-life challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction. Later, my academic roles at the University of Exeter and the University of Birmingham enabled me to focus on teaching, mentoring students, and conducting research on gambling, alcohol use, and behavioural addictions. These positions played a crucial role in shaping my perspective on community psychology and public health.
| Institution | Position | Years | Main Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS London & Manchester | Clinical Psychologist | 1960s–1970s | Clinical work with addiction and mental health patients |
| University of Exeter | Director of Clinical Psychology Training | 1970s–1990s | Teaching and addiction research |
| University of Birmingham | Professor of Clinical & Community Psychology | 1993–Retirement | Research on addiction and gambling policy |
Awards and Recognition
Throughout my career I have been fortunate to receive recognition for my work in addiction research.
Some of the honours I have received include:
- E.M. Jellinek International Award for contributions to addiction research
- Honorary Fellowship of the British Psychological Society
These recognitions are deeply meaningful to me because they reflect the collective efforts of many researchers and colleagues who have worked to improve our understanding of addiction.
My Perspective on Gambling Policy
One of the most important lessons I have learned through my research is that gambling policy must balance economic interests and public health concerns.
Many governments benefit financially from gambling through taxation and licensing. However, this relationship can create conflicts when policymakers must also address the harms associated with gambling.
In my writing I have argued that we need a more open public discussion about the expansion of gambling industries and their social consequences.
My Later Work and Continuing Interests
Even after retiring from full-time academic work, I have continued writing and researching topics related to addiction and social psychology.
My interests now include:
- Addiction and family relationships
- Social attitudes toward war and conflict
- Economic inequality
- Gambling regulation and policy
These topics may seem different at first glance, but they share a common theme: understanding how social forces shape human behaviour.
Reflections on My Career
Looking back on my career, I feel grateful to have been part of a field that seeks to understand and reduce harm in society.
Addiction research has changed dramatically since I began my work decades ago. Today we have a much deeper understanding of behavioural addictions such as gambling, and there is growing recognition of the need for responsible regulation.
However, much work remains to be done.
I believe that psychologists, policymakers, and communities must continue working together to address the complex challenges posed by addiction.
Conclusion
My career has been dedicated to exploring the psychological, social, and policy dimensions of addiction and gambling. From my early clinical work to my later academic research, I have tried to highlight the importance of understanding addiction not only as an individual problem but also as a societal issue.
I hope that my work has contributed to a more informed conversation about gambling and addiction—and that future researchers will continue to build upon these ideas.
