We are delighted to welcome you to the 37th Annual Conference of the European Society for Social Drug Research (ESSD), taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 30 September to 2 October 2026. This conference marks a special milestone, as ESSD will be held in Lithuania for the very first time since the society's establishment in 1990. Hosting ESSD 2026 is a great honour for the organising team at Vilnius University, and we are excited to welcome researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students from across Europe and beyond.

The main conference venue will be Vilnius University (Universiteto str. 3), one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Central and Eastern Europe.
The venue is located in the historic Vilnius University campus with an entrance through Vilnius University library. Please allow a little extra time on your first morning to find the correct entrance and registration area.

Complimentary coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be available to all registered participants throughout the conference. The organisers also intend to provide lunch for participants, subject to the final number of registrations and logistical arrangements. Further information will be shared closer to the conference.

The programme and the book of abstracts of the ESSD conference 2026 are available via the buttons below.

PROGRAMME

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

Registration for this conference is closed.

For public transport, buses and trolleybuses cover the city extensively. The Trafi and m.Ticket apps are useful for routes and public transport tickets. Google Maps is also generally reliable for navigation. For more information, visit Vilnius Public Transport.

From Vilnius Airport, the city centre can be reached by public transport, taxi/Bolt, or train. The airport is only around 6 km from central Vilnius, so transfers are usually relatively short. Buses No. 3G and No. 88 (plus the 88N night bus) run directly from Vilnius Airport to the city centre. For those arriving by train or bus, Vilnius Railway Station and Bus Station are next to each other, approximately 20–25 minutes' walk from the main conference venue.

The following hotels offer discounted accommodation rates for ESSD 2026 participants using the booking code ESSD2026

• Ibis Vilnius Centre
• St. Palace Hotel
• Cathedral Old Town Suites
• Courtyard Vilnius City Centre

On Tuesday, 29 September, 18:00–21:00, we will have an informal pre-conference get-together for those who arrive early at the bar Špunkė (Etmonų g. 3).

On Wednesday, 30 September, 18:00–20:00, participants are invited to attend a special documentary film screening, featuring films related to ESSD themes. This will take place at Lukiškės Prison 2.0 (Lukiškių skg. 6), a former prison transformed into one of Vilnius' most vibrant cultural hubs. The event will provide an opportunity for informal discussions and networking in a unique setting. The screening is free to attend. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase at the venue.

On Thursday, 1 October, 18:30–20:30, a social dinner will be organised at La Boheme (Šv. Ignoto g. 4). Participants must have registered for this event in advance when signing up for the conference.

Together with conference friend GO Vilnius team, we strongly encourage participants to take advantage of their stay in Vilnius and explore the city and its surroundings. Vilnius is known for ts UNESCO-listed Old Town, vibrant cultural life, green spaces, and rich historical heritage. For inspiration, please take a look at the official Vilnius Mini Guide.

A few practical notes:

• Late September and early October in Vilnius can be chilly, so we recommend bringing a warm layer and a rainproof jacket or umbrella.
• Lithuania uses the euro (€). Card and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere in Vilnius, and English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and the city centre.