HRB National Drugs Library e-newsletter volume 22, issue 5

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

National Drug Treatment Reporting System: 2025 drug treatment demand.

Tierney, Paula et al (2026) Dublin: Health Research Board

Robinson, Janet et al (2026) Dublin: National DRIVE Oversight Committee

An exploration of the relationship between addiction treatment and geographic deprivation.

Ryan, Alana et al (2026) Dublin: Health Research Board and Pobal.

Changing drug laws in Ireland: answering some common empirical and legal questions

Marder, Ian D et al (2026) CrimRxiv, Early online, (Preprint) doi.org/10.21428/cb6ab371.416da42c

Rethinking drug policy: the case for decriminalising drugs for personal use

(2026) Dublin: Irish Council for Civil Liberties

The other Ireland: visualizing intersectional stigma experiences of people who use drugs using photovoice

Miller, Nicole M et al (2026) Contemporary Drug Problems, Early online. doi.org/10.1177/00914509261440952

Polysubstance use in adolescents: conceptual issues and the need for a new public health framework and approach.

Fleury, Ronan et al (2026) Psychological Medicine, 56. doi.org/10.1017/s0033291726104504

Adolescent polysubstance use and psychopathology: a population-based survey in schools

Fleury, Ronan et al (2026) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online. pp. 1-10. doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2026.10197

No wrong door: a systematic literature review

Reidy, Aisling et al (2025) Limerick: SLSSHub, REPPP Project, University of Limerick

Failure to introduce alcohol health-warning labels in Ireland

Rutledge, Stephanie M and Murray, Frank (2026) Lancet, Early online. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00914-1

Alcohol statistics dashboard. [Dataset]

Doyle, Anne (2026)

The role of alcohol in casualty collisions 2021-2025.

(2026) Dublin: Road Safety Authority

European Commission’s public consultation on the evaluation and revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).

(2026) Dublin: Alcohol Action Ireland

Interventions, approaches and guidelines for gambling and gaming addictions: an evidence review

Flanagan, Paula et al (2025) Dublin: HSE National Social Inclusion Office

Estimating eligibility for lung cancer screening in Ireland: a dynamic modelling study of smoking trends.

Bezdenezhnykh, Tatiana et al (2026) PharmacoEconomics - open, Early online. doi.org/10.1007/s41669-026-00653-y

It's time for Ireland's tobacco-free future

Gannon, J et al (2026) Irish Medical Journal, 119, (5).

Hidden harm-exploring the utility of geostatistical analysis to identify child criminal exploitation (CCE).

Keaney-Bell, Antoinette and Walsh, Colm (2026) Behavioral Sciences, 16, (4). doi.org/10.3390/bs16040613

Care leavers and the criminal justice system: the role of support systems during transition

Gill, Kylie et al (2026) SSRN, pp. 1-42. /10.2139/ssrn.6510383

Secondary traumatic stress in front line professionals: an exploration of risk factors

Lanigan, Laura et al (2026) Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, 26, (1). doi.org/10.21427/8g18-yj47

Guidance for staff providing mental health services to persons with intellectual disabilities

(2026) Dublin: Mental Health Commission

Service use and engagement in youth mental healthcare: national trends in Jigsaw (2017-2022).

Moore, Jeff et al (2026) Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 20, (5). doi.org/10.1111/eip.70171

(2026) Belfast: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Ireland’s strategy to reduce suicide and self-harm. Connecting for life: 2026–2035

(2026) Dublin: Department of Health

Medical trainees' knowledge and confidence in using HEEADSSS assessment tool

Algahtani, L et al (2026) Irish Medical Journal, 119, (5).

A researcher’s reflections on using participant-led photo elicitation: a work in progress

Ryan, Aoife et al (2026) Journal of Academic Research and Innovation, 3, (1). doi.org/10.21427/jw5v-2935

The art of deception: an introduction to the Tiger Team (Red Team) online age verification penetration method

Houghton, Frank et al (2026) Journal of Academic Research and Innovation, 3, (1). doi.org/10.21427/8pqg-hr91

International publications

The state of the world’s human rights 2025.

(2026) London: Amnesty International

2025 C-EHRN monitoring dashboard. [Webpage]

(2026) Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network

Recovery-oriented mental health training interventions: an integrative review

Inta, Natthapon et al (2026) International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 10. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100510

Greenspace programs and recovery from substance use and mental health challenges: evaluating nature-based interventions through the lens of recovery capital

Torrance, Morgan et al (2026) Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy, Early online. doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2026.2664439

ISSUP drug data hub [Dataset]

(2026) International Society of Substance Use Professionals

Nested family support: the axial role of support workers for families in which a parent is in treatment for substance misuse

Shloim, Netalie et al (2026) Journal of Addictive Diseases, 44, (2), pp. 206-216. doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2025.2490874

Analysing staff perspectives on parent/carer partnerships in an English trauma informed school

Culshaw, Aisling (2026) Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, Early online. doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00849-8

When trauma triggers craving: meta-analytic evidence for the mediating role of negative affect among trauma-exposed individuals who use substances

DeGrace, Sarah et al (2026) European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 17. doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2026.2645996

Dual disorders: health and social responses. [Webpage]

(2026) European Union Drugs Agency

Self-harm in individuals with substance use disorders: predictive factors and risk model

Yu, Rongqin et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70465

Structural neuroimaging in substance-induced psychosis

Atmaca, Murad (2026) Current Psychiatry Reports, 28. doi.org/10.1007/s11920-026-01678-0

Child, adolescent and youth mental health in the 21st century

(2026) Paris: OECD

Bridging gaps in youth mental health care: YOUTHreach-a comprehensive European strategy

van Amelsvoort, Thérèse et al (2026) European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Early online. doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03033-3

Initiatives to reduce ambulance offload delays in emergency departments: a scoping review

Svikers, Alice et al (2026) BMC Emergency Medicine, 26. doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01555-2

Factors associated with readmission to residential treatment among clients transitioned from detoxification services in Alberta, Canada

Mekonnen, Abreham (2026) The American Journal on Addictions, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70159

Health and homelessness briefing

(2026) Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland

Drug use in ethnic minority groups: a review and recommendations

(2026) London: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Primary care providers' perspectives of experiences with transgender and gender diverse adults: a scoping review

Keaney, Kate Lauren et al (2026) European Journal of General Practice, 32, 2657083. doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2026.2657083

Putting lived experience at the centre: a critical review of multidisciplinary, person-centred mental health care

Grattidge, Laura et al (2026) Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 19. doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S600579

Process evaluation of Combating Drugs Partnerships.

Verian et al (2026) London: Home Office

SPACE I - 2025 – Council of Europe annual penal statistics: prison populations

Aebi, MF and Cocco, E (2026) Strasbourg: Council of Europe

Human cost of crime: the harrowing link between drug trafficking and human trafficking

(2026) Vienna: OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

Research brief on transnational organized crime

(2026) Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Guidance on the management of clusters of drug-related harms

(2026) Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland

Characteristics of deaths due to drug-related causes among individuals recently released from prison in the United Kingdom, 1997-2025

Roberts, Emmert et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70481

The toxicology and characteristics of fatal new psychoactive stimulant and hallucinogen-related poisonings in Australia, 2000-2025

Darke, Shane et al (2026) Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 19. doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2026.100434

Emerging new psychoactive ketamine analogues: patterns of use and health risks identified by the French Addictovigilance Network.

Mezaache, Salim et al (2026) International Journal of Drug Policy, 153. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105326

Garriga-Solé, Laura et al (2026) Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 24, (2), pp. 252-276. doi.org/10.9758/cpn.25.1394

Are people who use methamphetamine at increased risk of physical violence? Results from a nationally representative sample

Macdonald, Christel et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70455

The efficacy and safety of short-acting, full agonist opioids for symptom management of opioid withdrawal

Azar, Pouya et al (2026) Addictive Behaviors Reports, 23. doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2026.100691

Pharmacological treatment strategies to manage precipitated withdrawal following the administration of buprenorphine in opioid use disorder: a systematic review.

Roberts, Emmert et al (2026) Addiction, 121, (5), pp. 1083-1099. doi.org/10.1111/add.70334

The socioeconomic impact of long-acting injectable buprenorphine

Rasche, Samuel E et al (2026) ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, Early online. doi.org/10.2147/CEOR.S590462

An international scoping review of opioid-related stigma interventions within the pharmacy profession

Gibson, Darcy et al (2026) Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, Early online. doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2026.04.002

Sex-based effectiveness in buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone treatment for opioid use disorder: findings from the OPTIMA trial

McAnulty, Christina et al (2026) Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 285. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113190

Opioid use disorder and dementia risk: evidence from observational and genetic analyses in diverse ancestry cohorts

Javidnia, Sara et al (2026) Alzheimer's & Dementia, 22, (5). doi.org/10.1002/alz.71418

The psychometric properties of validated tools to assess cannabis use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Leung, Janni et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70438

How does cognition change over time in young people who use cannabis recreationally? A narrative review of the longitudinal literature to date

Abbott, Gabrielle et al (2026) Psychopharmacology, Early online doi.org/10.1007/s00213-026-07072-1

Cannabis legalization outcomes in Canada: trading off increased health problem for reduced crime burdens is not good enough

Fischer, Benedikt et al (2026) Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, doi.org/10.1177/07067437261454772

Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2024

(2026) London: Office for National Statistics

What do people with experience of alcohol dependence think about alcohol pricing policy?

McMillan, Lauren et al (2026) Stirling: University of Stirling.

Screening for high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder: update of the 2023 national clinical practice guideline

Wood, Evan et al (2026) CMAJ, 198, (17), E655-E665. DOI: doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.251759

Predictive validity of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) for register-based alcohol-attributable events among general-population men and women of different ages

Mäkelä, Pia et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70473

Alcohol Change UK’s blue light approach: improving care and support for people with entrenched alcohol dependency. Guidance for practitioners

Ward, Mark et al (2026) London: Alcohol Change UK

Prenatal alcohol exposure and the development of multiple risk behaviors in adolescence: a birth cohort study

Parsonage, James T I et al (2026) Alcohol, Clinical & Experimental Research, 50, (5). doi.org/10.1111/acer.70286

Implementing sustainable liver health in Europe: a second EASL-Lancet Commission

Karlsen, Tom H et al (2026) The Lancet, Early online. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00138-8

Binge drinking: acute consequences and lasting impacts

Alcohol and society 2026. Holder, Harold D et al (2026) Stockholm: Svensk Sjuksköterskeförening et al

Zero tolerance for 0%? How should clinicians and other practitioners respond to the use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol products in higher risk groups

Holmes, John et al (2026) Addiction, 121, (5), pp. 1036-1041

Drinking motives, socioeconomic factors and the harm-reduction potential of NoLo alcohol products for mid-life women

Davies, Emma L et al (2026) International Journal of Drug Policy, 152. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105254

Young people's consumption of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks in family settings

Oldham, Melissa et al (2026) London: Alcohol Change UK

Do the reasons people drink alcohol aid our understanding of sociodemographic differences in alcohol-free and low-alcohol consumption?

A path analysis on a cross-sectional study of adult alcohol drinkers in Great Britain. Burke, Lucy et al (2026) Drug and Alcohol Review, 45, (4). doi.org/10.1111/dar.70159

Risky drinking in midlife men: insights From Australia's national drug strategy household survey

Zaccagnini, Stefano et al (2026) Drug and Alcohol Review, 45, (4). doi.org/10.1111/dar.70149

Smoking attributable hospital admissions and deaths: Scotland 2024

(2026) Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland

Health outcomes associated with the use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches

Perez Cornago, A et al (2026) Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

Early insights from a national scheme providing vaping devices for smoking cessation: a preliminary evaluation to inform future return-on-investment modelling in England

Moore, Esther et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70462

Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the global growth of nicotine pouches

(2026) Geneva: World Health Organization

Using aggregated ethnicity categories masks inequalities in smoking prevalence in England.

Taylor, Eve et al (2026) Addiction, Early online. doi.org/10.1111/add.70427

Barriers to vape (e-cigarette) cessation encountered by adolescents who attempted to quit

Poliakova, Natalia et al (2026) Addictive Behaviors, 180. doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108707

Measuring gambling harm in self-reported questionnaires: a scoping review

Mou, Cong et al (2026) Harm Reduction Journal, Early online. doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01352-3

A strategic approach to gambling regulation

Newall, Philip (2026) Addiction Research & Theory, Early online. doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2026.2677582

Gambling in women: a systematic review of interventions and prevention approaches

Monreal-Bartolomé et al (2026) Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 15, (1), pp. 135-156. doi.org/10.1556/2006.2025.00487

Common practice elements of cognitive behavioral therapy for gaming disorder: a systematic review and expert panel evaluation

Radunz, Marcela et al (2026) Clinical Psychology Review, 126, 102740. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2026.102740

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