Exhibition Launch of Hooked: 500 Years of Addiction

Thursday 29th May 2025 

6pm - 8pm 

11 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ

This event celebrates the launch of our new exhibition 'Hooked: 500 Years of Addiction'.

The event will begin in our foyer with a reception. You will then have the opportunity to hear two speakers, Prof Phil Withington and Prof Gerda Reith. Phil will discuss the history of addiction while Gerda will discuss behavioural addictions in the 21st century.

The event will be chaired by Dr Michael Blackmore - GP, Chair of RCGP West Scotland Faculty and recovering addict. The reception will then continue with the opportunity to visit our new exhibition.

About the exhibition

From heroin to gambling, from alcohol to love, HOOKED explores the history of addiction. It invites you to consider the stereotypes attached to addiction and how all of us can be vulnerable to it.

Exploring pills, drink, snuff and cigarettes, we uncover the many faces of addiction and the many attempts to combat it. We explore the dark origins of substance addiction in the western world – rooted deeply in colonialism and slavery.

Featuring rare books, historical objects, artworks, interviews and digital interactives, the exhibition considers the meaning of addiction, its causes and the stigma attached to being addicted.

Tickets £6

Book via Eventbrite.