Welcome
Welcome

Our newsletter includes links to Irish and international publications related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. To view our entire collection of research and access our resources visit our website, Ireland's comprehensive substance use research library.

Also, take a look at the NDTRS treatment data tables, services map and alcohol dashboard, among other resources on our site.
Irish-related publications
European web survey on drugs 2024: Irish results.

Mongan, Deirdre et al (2026) Dublin: Health Research Board
Codeine use in Irish general practice: a mixed-methods study protocol on prescribing, dependence, and management of habit-forming use

Ravichandran, Nandakumar et al (2026) HRB Open Research, doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14500.1 
Impact of guidance issued during COVID-19 to expand access to take-home dosing of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) on OAT prescribing practices in primary care in Ireland: An interrupted time series analysis

Durand, Louise et al (2026) International Journal of Drug Policy, 153. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105321
‘I didn’t realise there was a connection’: a qualitative study exploring public awareness of and support for alcohol policy in Ireland.

Calnan, Susan et al (2026) International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 14. doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.691 
A gender perspective of dual diagnosis: a narrative review

Vilas, Sarah P et al (2026) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online. 10.1017/ipm.2026.10202
Key figures on Europe – 2026 edition

(2026) Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
Irish Pharmacy Review, July/August

Young peoples’ experiences of professional relationships within youth justice services: the impact of relationships on development and transition

Moore, Kerri et al (2026) Contemporary Justice Review, Early online. doi.org/10.1080/10282580.2026.2691057 
Suicide among older adults in Ireland: a national case series of coronial data, 2015-2020

Troya, M Isabela et al (2026) BMJ Mental Health, 29, (1). doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2026-302665
Report on Traveller health.

Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community (2026) Dublin: Houses of the Oireachtas
Rethinking remand. An assessment of pre-trial detention in Ireland

(2026) Dublin: Irish Penal Reform Trust
Systematic review and meta-analysis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: first estimates of the prevalence by sex amongst people who use psychoactive substances and alcohol

Comiskey, Catherine et al (2026) Journal of Dual Diagnosis, Early online. pp. 1-12. doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2026.2686088
Department of Children, Disability and Equality statistical spotlights

Barriers and enablers to health and social care access for homeless hostel residents from the perspectives of community-based staff: a qualitative study

Green, Claire et al (2026) European Journal of Homelessness, 20, (1), pp. 271-288
Clinicians' experiences in responding to mental health crisis among people experiencing homelessness in Ireland

Gilmore, John P et al (2026) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 33, (3), pp. 434-444. doi.org/10.1111/jpm.70116 
Deep End Ireland policy document on drug services in Ireland

Deep End Ireland. (2026) Deep End Ireland blog
Bill digest: Bill no. 36 of 2026. Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026.

Oireachtas Library & Research Service. (2026) Dublin: Houses of the Oireachtas. 
Illegal tobacco product research surveys 2025

Ipsos B&A. (2026) Dublin: Revenue and HSE National Tobacco Control Office. 
Time since cigarette smoking cessation and self-rated health among exclusive e-cigarette users

Adebisi, Yusuff Adebayo and Alhur, Anas Ali (2026) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Early online. doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04531-8 
Doctoral theses
  • CAIM: A Connected, Adaptive, Integrated Model - nurse-led addiction care for rural and resource-poor settings. PhD thesis, Lavelle Cafferkey, Sadie (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46103/
  • Virtual harm and digital opportunity: rethinking child protection and welfare for children with disabilities using the internet. PhD thesis, Doolan Maher, Rose (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46102/
  • Mental health in the military: a mixed methods investigation of mental health and help-seeking behaviours in the Irish Defence Forces. PhD thesis, Fitzpatrick, Dan (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46094/
  • Exploring the impact of exercise in people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage. PhD thesis, Kennedy, Fiona (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46091/
  • Sex differences in the associations between risk and protective factors with cognition and the brain in cognitively healthy mid-life individuals at risk for late-life dementia. PhD thesis, Qi, Qing (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46137/
  • Exploring the biopsychosocial risk factors for dementia in people ageing with Down Syndrome. PhD thesis, Fallon, Marianne (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46136/
  • Understanding the factors shaping the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy through a workforce lens: a realist and health systems approach. PhD thesis, Leavy, Paul Gerard (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46135/
  • Getting under the skin: how social adversity and psychosocial adversity affect the immune system in health and ageing. PhD thesis, Reddy, Conor (2026) Trinity College Dublin. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/46133/
Gambling and young people

(2026) Dublin: Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
The Problem Gambling Podcast 2026

Extern Problem Gambling. (2026) Extern Problem Gambling
Joint developmental trajectories of internalising and externalising behaviours from childhood to adolescence and their links to socio-economic profiles - findings from the 'growing up in Ireland' cohort

Cronin, Frances M et al (2026) European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 35. pp. 109-119. doi.org/10.1007/s00787-025-02814-6 
Poring over the evidence: HIQA’s compelling case to reduce Ireland’s lower-risk alcohol guidelines

Alcohol Action Ireland. (2026) Alcohol Action Ireland blog
What drinking alcohol means to me: a qualitative exploration in middle-aged men’s own words

Ipsos B&A. (2026) Dublin: Drinkaware
Estimate of Irish alcohol consumption per adult in 2025: with some international comparisons for 2023

Foley, Anthony (2026) Dublin: Drinks Industry Group of Ireland
Towards better outcomes for children and families: evaluation of the implementation of the ABC outcomes framework

Flynn, Susan et al (2026) Dublin: Tusla and Trinity College Dublin
National Review Panel annual report 2025

National Review Panel. (2026) Dublin: Tusla
State of the Nation's children 2025.

(2026) Dublin: Department of Children, Disability and Equality
Children's Rights Alliance report card 2026

(2026) Dublin: Children's Rights Alliance
Social inclusion services key performance indicator metadata 2026.

(2026) Health Service Executive
Task forces annual reports

Tallaght Rehabilitation Project annual report 2025

(2026) Dublin: Tallaght Rehabilitation Project
Merchants Quay Ireland annual report 2025. Directors' report 2025

(2026) Dublin: Merchants Quay Ireland
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) annual report 2025

(2026) Dublin: GRAI
Health Service Executive annual report and financial statements for 2025

(2026) Dublin: Health Service Executive
Tusla annual report & financial statements 2025

(2026) Dublin: Tusla
Justice-related annual reports

International publications
Meta-research on the science of lived experience engagement in mental health and substance use health research: a scoping review and qualitative synthesis

Hawke, Lisa D et al (2026) Health Expectations, 29, (4). doi.org/10.1111/hex.70733 
Emergency department peer recovery support services for individuals with substance use disorders: a systematic review of comparative studies

Chardavoyne, Paige C et al (2026) Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 17. doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S609242
Evaluating the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment centers: a systematic review of international standards and outcomes

Sameri, Maryam Jafar et al (2026) Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, Early online. doi.org/10.1186/s13011-026-00742-5 
A meta-analysis of cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorder: treatment effects by comparator type and consumption and psychosocial outcomes

Magill, Molly et al (2026) Behaviour Research and Therapy, 203. doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2026.105101
The effectiveness of peer support in problem alcohol and drug use. Rapid evidence review.

(2026) Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland
A systematic review and narrative synthesis of barriers and facilitators for the implementation of school-based substance misuse prevention programmes

Fitzgerald, Aisling et al (2026) Global Implementation Research and Applications, Early online. doi.org/10.1007/s43477-026-00235-4 
Addiction in the UK

Mooney, Beth and Wilkinson, Sophie (2026) London: The Forward Trust and Crest Advisory
The human cost of policy shifts: a world in turmoil

(2026) Norfolk, UK: INPUD
Implementation factors shaping British Columbia's drug decriminalization pilot: a systematic review with narrative synthesis

Ali, Farihah et al (2026) International Journal of Drug Policy, 156. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105431 
Adolescent substance use screening in the emergency department

Sandelich, Stephen et al (2026) Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, 7, (4). DOI: 10.1016/j.acepjo.2026.100447 
Drug checking data from the Trans-European Drug Information (TEDI) network

Trans-European Drug Information Network. (2026) Lisbon: EUDA 
Canadian substance use costs and harms 2017–2024

(2026) Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Full spectrum harm reduction in Europe. Specific populations, service integration, and peer involvement

Civil Society Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe 2025. C-EHRN Focal Points. Bellows, C and Rigoni, R (2026) Amsterdam: Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network
Mental health services for people who use drugs: current needs and emerging challenges. Civil Society Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe 2025

C-EHRN Focal Points. de Sousa, M and Rigoni, R (2026) Amsterdam: Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network
Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for adults with substance use disorder that have a co-occurring mental health disorder: an umbrella review and illustrative cost-effectiveness analysis

Simpson, Emma et al (2026) Health Technology Assessment, 30, (49), pp. 1-141. doi.org/10.3310/GJES1821
Interventions to enhance HIV medication adherence among individuals using substances: a systematic review and critique of the literature

Rodriguez, Chavez R et al (2026) AIDS Care, 38, (5), pp. 893-922. doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2025.2602165 
Use of a discrete choice experiment to support the service design of the safer drug consumption facility in Scotland

Duan, Yuejiao et al (2026) International Journal of Drug Policy, 156. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105434 
Ranking EU progress on road safety: 20th Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) report

(2026) Brussels: European Transport Safety Council
Addiction across substance use, gambling, and screen: a scoping review of coping strategies adopted by concerned significant others

Côté, Mélissa et al (2026) Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, Early online. doi.org/10.1186/s13011-026-00739-0 
Evaluation of the Scottish Government National Drug Deaths Mission. Incorporating a financial and economic perspective.

(2026) Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland
Preventing drug-related deaths in Scotland: perceptions and experiences of engagement in a “shared care” model of service delivery

Thom, Betsy et al (2026) Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, 27, (1), pp. 1-15. doi.org/10.1108/DHS-04-2025-0020 
How to save a life: emergency response to a drug overdose in prison

(2026) Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland
Trends in new psychoactive substance poisonings in the Netherlands: a 14-year retrospective analysis (2012-2025).

Nugteren-van Lonkhuyzen, et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70511
Legal responses to new psychoactive substances in Europe: countries inside the REITOX network, Norway, and Türkiye

Aquilina, Valeria et al (2026) Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanita, 62, (2), pp. 100-114. doi.org/10.4415/ann_26_02_02 
From emergence to replacement: the evolution of 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) and its substitutes in the Dutch drug market (2012-2024).

Hutten, Nadia Robert Petronella Wilhelmina et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70538
Nitrous oxide product types and sources among people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other illicit stimulants, 2021-2025

Grigg, Jodie and Lenton, Simon (2026) Perth: National Drug Research Institute and enAble Institute. 
Treatment and management approaches for ketamine misuse: a systematic review of medical interventions

Mosca, Alessio et al (2026) Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, Early online. DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2026.210061
Ketamine trends in Scotland: analysis of police seizure data and review of early identification methods

Ceniccola-Campos, Kristin and Murphy, Laura (2026) Drug Research Network Scotland
Long-term effects following prenatal cocaine exposure: a systematic review

Miazzi, Rocco et al (2026) PLoS ONE, 21, (6). doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0352587
Efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of cocaine use disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Paterson, Craig et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70486 
Enhanced and prolonged euphoria during co-use of alcohol and cocaine. A narrative and integrative review.

van Amsterdam, Jan and van den Brink, Wim (2026) European Addiction Research, pp. 1-17. doi.org/10.1159/000553048 
Overdose reversal through peer intervention: Findings from the naloxone prospective outcome research study (NalPORS) on the effectiveness of overdose response by people who use opioids in the United Kingdom and Sweden

Metrebian, Nicola et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70526 
The comparative effects of prenatal exposure to methadone versus buprenorphine for opioid use disorder on neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wilson, Lindsay A et al (2026) BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Early online. doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09256-1
Centering the voices of young people who use opioids and youth harm reduction practitioners: insights from an international Youth RISE cohort.

Juristia, Atika et al (2026) Harm Reduction Journal, 23. doi.org/10.1186/s12954-026-01449-3 
Evaluation of heroin-assisted treatment in Norway

Eide, Desiree et al (2026) Oslo: Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research
What’s in your heroin? The importance of drug composition monitoring in the synthetic opioid era

Balcaen, Margot et al (2026) Harm Reduction Journal, Early online. doi.org/10.1186/s12954-026-01502-1
Changes in heroin-related ambulance attendances following the introduction of a medically supervised injecting room in Victoria, Australia

Killian, Jessica J et al (2026) International Journal of Drug Policy, Early online. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105405 
Mental health consequences of contemporary cannabis use in Europe: potency, patterns of use, and health system context

Śniadach, Justyna et al (2026) Frontiers in Psychiatry, 17. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1778831 
Impact of partial cannabis legalisation in Luxembourg: an interdisciplinary perspective

Berndt, Nadine et al (2026) Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 20. doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2026.100456
Emotion regulation and cannabis use in young people: a systematic review

Fleury, Ronan et al (2026) Frontiers in Adolescent Medicine, 4. doi.org/10.3389/fradm.2026.1766637
Effectiveness of brief motivational interviewing for alcohol misuse: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Ho, Mei-Hsin et al (2026) Addictive Behaviors Reports, Early online. doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2026.100727 
Perpetrator alcohol use and intimate partner violence in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tanyos, Amany et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70540 
Quantifying the potential of alcohol policies for cancer prevention in the EU: a modelling study

Correia, Daniela et al (2026) The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 67. doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101734 
A review of the relationship between dimensions of alcohol consumption and the burden of disease: 2026 update including Mendelian randomisation studies

Carr, Sinclair et al (2026) Addiction, 121, (8), pp. 1998-2018. doi.org/10.1111/add.70435 
‘If you’ve got it shown to you from a young age, it’s going to be more hardwired into your brain’: young people’s views on alcohol sports sponsorship

Purves, Richard I et al (2026) Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy, Early online. doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2026.2689372 
Models of care for the management of alcohol use disorder in general hospital settings and transition to the community: a scoping review

Sinclair, Julia M A et al (2026) Alcohol and Alcoholism, 61, (4). doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agag037 
NoLo drinks and pregnancy: women’s harm perceptions, labeling ambiguity, and guidance needs

Rose, Abigail K et al (2026) Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy, Early online doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2026.2702373 
Gambling, smoking and alcohol use in Great Britain: insights from the 2023 Gambling Survey of Great Britain

Kock, Loren et al (2026) Addictive Behaviors, 177. doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108641
Heterogeneous oral health outcomes by combustible cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use and dual use: a cross-sectional population-based analysis

Adebisi, Yusuff Adebayo et al (2026) Oral Diseases, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/odi.70390 
Evaluation of the legislative framework for tobacco control

(2026) Brussels: European Commission
The policy implementation playbook: a cross-policy taxonomy of post-adoption tobacco industry tactics

Matthes, Britta K et al (2026) Globalization and Health, 22, (1). doi.org/10.1186/s12992-026-01220-0 
Reshaping the social meaning of smoking: the UK's tobacco-free generation policy

Matthes, Britta K and Berrick, Jon (2026) European Journal of Public Health, 36, (4). doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag107
Interventions to prevent or cease electronic cigarette use in children and adolescents

Barnes, Courtney et al (2026) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, (7). doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015511.pub3 
Changes in gambling behaviour and harm across the adult population, among priority groups, and by population subgroups in Great Britain, 2021–2024: repeat cross-sectional annual survey

Buss, Vera Helen et al (2026) Addictive Behaviors, 182. doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108788
Gambling survey for Great Britain - annual report (2025): official statistics

(2026) Birmingham: Gambling Commission
Regulations on gambling advertising in Europe: a comparative policy review

Marionneau, Virve et al (2026) International Gambling Studies, Early online. doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2026.2682456 
A rapid evidence review of skins gambling

Harris, Andrew et al (2026) London: Gov.UK
Gambling problems in a sample of UK university students: associations with mental health, other addictive behaviours, and transdiagnostic factors

Dorey, Lucy et al (2026) Journal of Gambling Studies, Early online. doi.org/10.1007/s10899-026-10534-y
Mental health, personality, and cross-addictions as predictors of social media addiction: a machine learning longitudinal study

Zarate, Daniel et al (2026) Addictive Behaviors Reports, 24. doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2026.100718 
News
Surge in cannabis imports from the US and Canada

[Irish Examiner] O'Keeffe, Cormac (27 Jul 2026) 
Dublin councillors clash in heated legalising drugs debate: 'I've carried 300 coffins'

[Dublinlive] Holland, Stephen (22 Jul 2026) 
New Athlone addiction service as gambling issues rise

[RTE News] Dodd, Eithne (19 Jul 2026) 
Criminal gangs targeting smaller ports to smuggle cocaine into Europe

[Irish Examiner] O'Keeffe, Cormac (18 Jul 2026) 
How to improve addiction services for women in Ireland

[RTE Brainstorm] Windle, James and Cronin, Joan (15 Jul 2026) 
Thousands of nitrous oxide canisters are ending up at waste facilities amid warnings of explosions

[thejournal.ie] O'Carroll, Conor (14 Jul 2026)
Minister for Health presents Ireland’s Health Programme for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

[Department of Health] (13 Jul 2026) 
Threats, broken windows and the drugs decriminalisation debate

[RTE Primetime] Murphy, Paul (10 Jul 2026) 
Ministers announce launch date for Health Referral Scheme for people found in possession of drugs for personal use

[Department of Health] (09 Jul 2026) 
Ministers for Health pass Single-Use Vapes Bill through both Houses of the Oireachtas

[Department of Health] (07 Jul 2026) 
What now for the war on people who use drugs in Ireland?

[thejournal.ie] Marder, Ian (05 Jul 2026) 
Ireland takes over the EU Presidency with the motto 'Strength with unity

[EUDA] (01 Jul 2026) 
Dail Debates
Oireachtas debates