Gambling in Ireland: profile of treatment episodes from a national treatment reporting system
Condron I, Lyons S and Carew AM (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online. pp. 1-8.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36419/
This is the first Irish national study using routinely gathered health surveillance data to describe treated problem gambling. Results will inform service policy and planning.
This study provides insights into treated problem gambling nationally. Monitoring and surveillance can play a crucial role in measuring the successful efforts and help inform planning and treatment. The findings may have implications for treatment pathways.
Consensus recommendations for opioid agonist treatment following the introduction of emergency clinical guidelines in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national Delphi study
Durand L, Keenan E, Boland F, et al. (2022) International Journal of Drug Policy, 106: 103768.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36471/
The objectives of this study are to (1) identify changes introduced to OAT [opioid agonist treatment] clinical guidelines in Ireland during the pandemic; and (2) develop consensus on whether the new recommendations should be retained beyond the pandemic, using a national Delphi consensus methodology.
A wide range of stakeholders involved in the delivery and receipt of OAT agreed on 16 clinical guidance statements for inclusion in OAT clinical guidelines as we move beyond the pandemic, rather than reverting to pre-pandemic guidelines. The agreed statements relate to facilitating safe access to OAT with minimal waiting time, supporting patient-centred care to promote health and well-being, and preventing drug overdose. Notably, consensus was not achieved for OAT drug dosage and frequency of urine testing during the stabilisation and maintenance phase of care.
Locked in and locked out: sequelae of a pandemic for distressed and vulnerable teenagers in Ireland
McLoughlin A, Abdalla A, Gonzalez J, et al. (2022) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36511/
The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on teenage psychiatry referrals following crisis presentation to the adult emergency department (ED) of an Irish tertiary hospital. In doing so, this study will specifically examine the effect of COVID-19 on self-injurious behaviour, suicidality and substance use among older adolescents (age 16/17 years).
Presentation of increased numbers of under-18s for psychiatry assessment at the adult ED/general hospital indicates a deepening chasm between available and aspirational emergency (adolescent-specific) psychiatric care in the community. Mobilising resilience factors and maximising coping skills for at-risk youth will inform tailored intervention and support strategies along with adequate resourcing of services for vulnerable adolescents in the community.
Homelessness duration and stability: a typology of emergency accommodation usage patterns in Dublin
Bairéad C and Norris M (2022) Cities, 127: 103735.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36263/
This article presents an analysis of data on the use of emergency accommodation (EA) by single homeless people in Dublin, Ireland between 2016 and 2018. The objective is to reflect on, test and critique the use of administrative data in research on homelessness heretofore in Ireland and internationally.
Applying this design to our dataset on EA usage in Dublin between 2016 and 2018 reveals four clear EA usage patterns – short stay, medium stay, long stay inconsistent and long stay stable. We believe that this four-part typology more accurately represents patterns of EA use in Dublin in recent years.
Dynamic associations between anxiety, depression, and tobacco use in older adults: results from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing
Monroe DC, McDowell CP, Kenny RA and Herring MP (2021) Journal of Psychiatric Research, 139: 99-105.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36031/
This study quantified associations between smoking and smoking cessation on prevalent and incident generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression (MDD) in a nationally representative sample of Irish older adults.
Current smokers did not have higher odds of incident MDD
(OR = 1.399, 0.984–1.990; p = 0.065) or GAD than non-smokers (1.039, 0.624–1.730; p = 0.881). Findings may have important implications for interventions designed to curb tobacco abuse, which tend to be less successful among those with anxiety and depression.
The Greentown Project: building evidence to inform intervention design for juveniles caught-up in local criminal networks
Naughton CM, Redmond S and O’Meara Daly E (2022) International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36200/
The current paper, based on findings from a comparative analysis, builds on a multi-step research design process to provide evidence-based knowledge to inform the design of a new targeted intervention.
An initial social network analysis of national crime and intelligence data produced localized basic criminal network maps illustrating co-offending and intelligence relationships between adults and juveniles in specific Police sub-districts (Part 1). These network maps then provided an enquiry frame for interviews with members of the police forces in three case study locations (Part 2). A comparative analysis of the three studies (Part 3) identified diversity in network structure and inherent resilience. The analysis also identifies core similarities in juveniles’ vulnerabilities and risks to recruitment. These factors are important considerations for an intervention seeking to disrupt networks and create safe ‘exit’ environments for juveniles.
Developing Ireland’s first National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework for Higher Education
Surdey J, Byrne D and Fox T (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36032/
This article focuses on the development of Ireland’s first National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework for Higher Education.
The Framework is informed by international evidence and was the product of a collaborative cross sector and cross disciplinary team including health professionals, government representatives, educators, students, policy makers, community organizations, researchers and clinicians.
Melanotan II user experience: a qualitative study of online discussion forums
Gilhooley E, Daly S and McKenna D (2021) Dermatology, 237(6): 995–999.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36115/
The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine MT II [Melanotan II] use, as portrayed on online forums, and to explore the motivations for its use and side effect profile.
Motivations for MT II use included the pursuit of a tanned appearance, often in anticipation of sun holidays and fitness/body building competitions. Clinicians should be aware not only of the potential risks in relation to pigmented skin lesions, but also remain cognisant of the other medical hazards associated with the use of this substance, namely transmission of infectious diseases, use of potentially contaminated products, polypharmacy, and sunbed exposure.
Drugnet Ireland is the quarterly newsletter of Ireland’s focal point for the EMCDDA and is produced in collaboration with the HRB National Drugs Library. Drugnet Ireland is published by the Health Research Board.
Managing editor: Brian Galvin
Copy-editing: O’Hanlon Media
© Health Research Board, 2022
Health Research Board
Grattan House
67—72 Lower Mount Street
Dublin 2
D02 H638
T: 01 234 5168
E: drugnet@hrb.ie
W: www.hrb.ie
