O’Callaghan D and Lambert S (2022) Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35544/

This paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care professionals who support clients experiencing addiction.

This paper highlights some areas of concern to address for future service delivery and presents opportunities to future-proof services as the world moves toward hybrid models of working. The inflexibility of service provision during the pandemic and the digital divide due to public health measures pushed marginalized groups further into the margins, with significant implications for practitioner occupational well-being due to feelings of anxiety, powerlessness, and concern for mortality of clients. This study collects a broad scope of experiences across disciplines in health care and demonstrates how professionals navigated unprecedented circumstances.

Giulini F, Keenan E, Killeen N and Ivers J-H (2022) Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35539/

A systematized review of the literature regarding drug checking (DC) methods and testing locations, advantages and disadvantages, and legal frameworks with an emphasis on HR [harm reduction] was conducted referencing PRISMA guidelines.

The results suggest using multiple drug checking methods to be most beneficial. Further, DCS [drug-checking services] and the personalized interventions they provide can positively influence behavior change, minimize harm, and reduce mortality. DCS are a viable public health intervention that requires cross-sector support beyond the legal frameworks and testing methods. Services will need to be tailored to meet the needs of their chosen setting, local drug market, and target audience.

Doody E, Malone A, Gallagher B, Hopkins K, Weir D, Nolan M, Kowalska-Beda P and Naughton M (2022) Irish Medical Journal, 115(1): 516–524.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35530/

We describe a clinical audit on alcohol detoxification using NICE clinical guidelines as a comparable standard.

The results of this audit indicate that adherence to defined clinical standards within this mental health service exceeds that of the benchmark POMH-UK [Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health-UK] data. The effectiveness of electronic patient records in improving adherence to set clinical standards, specifically in relation to documentation of clinical parameters is evident. The report also confirms continued improved results with each audit cycle within the service.

Moriarty F, Bennett K and Fahey T (2022) Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, 10(1): e00899.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35446/

This study aims to characterize changes in opioid and other analgesic prescribing in Ireland over a 15-year period (2000-2015). This is a repeated cross-sectional study of administrative pharmacy claims data in 2000 and 2015. Individuals of all ages in Ireland’s Eastern Health Board region who were eligible for the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were included. This scheme covers 40% of the population, mostly those on lower incomes and older people.

The primary outcome was dispensing of opioids, both prevalence of any use and rate per 1000 GMS eligible population (standardized to the 2015 population). Increased prescribing of opioids, particularly strong opioids, between 2000 and 2015 is evident in Ireland. This is concerning due to the potential for misuse, and opioid-related morbidity/mortality.

Armstrong PR, Ring E and MacNicholas R (2022) European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35445/

The aim of the study was to identify the epidemiological profile, temporal trends, development of complications and mortality arising from inpatient care episodes linked to ALD in Ireland from 2007 to 2016.

Ireland is seeing a rise in ALD-related hospital admissions and deaths, including HCC [hepatocellular carcinoma] which increased three-fold. ALD is a preventable disease, and public health interventions are of proven benefit and required to reverse this trend.

Richards GC, Aronson JK, MacKenna B, Goldacre B, Hobbs FDR and Heneghan C (2022) Drug Safety, 45: 237–247.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35572/

This study aimed to assess national sales and expenditure trends of over-the-counter codeine-containing products purchased in countries with available data over 6 years.

In many parts of the world, substantial numbers of people may be purchasing and consuming codeine in over-the-counter products. Clinicians should ask patients about their use of over-the-counter products, and public health measures are required to improve the collection of sales data and the safety of such products.

Mahon C, Fitzgerald A, O’Reilly A and Dooley B (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35502/

This study aimed to identify risk and protective factors for mental health across student cohorts to guide mental health provision.

In this sample of students, undergraduates, especially those attending Institutes of Technology, were at increased risk of mental health difficulties. Findings suggest the need to tailor interventions to meet cohort needs, and consider the differing vulnerabilities and strengths across student cohorts. Due to limitations of this study, such as selection bias, further research is warranted.

Lynn E, Cousins G, Lyons S and Bennett KE (2022) Journal of Affective Disorders, 306: 80–89.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35890/

This study aims to assist in understanding how individual and social contextual factors, and specific drugs, influence risk of suicide compared to non-suicide drug poisoning deaths, and how this differs by sex.

Ongoing monitoring for signs of suicidal intent in individuals with mental illness, chronic pain, overdose, and/or prescribed mental health medications may identify individuals in need of additional intervention.

Corey J, Lyons J, O’Carroll A, Stafford R and Ivers J-H (2022) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6): 3219.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35804/

This scoping review aimed to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) in North America and Europe.

Numerous health impacts of the pandemic on PEH were identified, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, morbidity, mortality, and hospitalisation, fear of infection, access to housing, hygiene, PPE [personal protective equipment], food, as well as mental health, substance use, other health-related outcomes and treatment services. Gaps in the literature relating to persons using alcohol, access to mental health support, and violence were also identified. Implications for future research are discussed.

Dockray S, Whelan E, Dick S, Davoren M, Heavin C, Linehan C and Byrne M (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35772/

The aim of this scoping review was to determine factors that contribute to student motivations to reduce or stop their use of illicit substances, and to elaborate on factors that may be pertinent for student-focused behaviour change interventions for substance use.

Few studies have examined motivations of third-level education students to decrease or cease substance use. Promising avenues for research on motivations to change substance use behaviour include the social contextual factors, perceived effects on social relationships, and actions of friends and family to prompt contemplations of change.

Carbia C, García-Cabrerizo R, Cryan JF and Dinan TG (2022) Alcohol and Alcoholism, 57(2): 211–218.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35897/

The objective of this study was to characterize changes in alcohol use during lockdown in Ireland and associations with drinking motives and psychopathological symptoms.

Older adults who drink to cope – mainly with depression symptomatology – are an important at-risk population, in line with predictions from alcohol self-medication frameworks. Future research is needed to incorporate strategies into the public mental health ecosystem.

Coll S, Walsh ME, Fahey T and Moriarty F (2022) Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, 18(4): 2670–2674.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35931/

This study aims to examine factors associated with continuation of hospital-initiated benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) among adults aged ≥65 years, specifically instructions on hospital discharge summaries.

Improved communication to GPs after hospital discharge may be important in avoiding long-term BZRA use.

O’Brien N, Quinn N, Joyce B, Bedford H and Crushell E (2022) BMJ Paediatrics Open, 6(1): e001368.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35896/

A retrospective review was performed of homeless children attending a paediatric emergency department in Dublin, Ireland, from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020. Despite increasing prevalence, European family homelessness remains under-researched.

Infants, Irish Travellers, Roma and black ethnicities were over-represented in homeless presentations. Homeless children had increased reliance on emergency services for primary healthcare needs.

Hartnett Y, Alshurafa K, McAndrew J, et al. (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35915/

This study aims to examine the impact of the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions on the volume and nature of psychiatric presentations to an emergency department (ED) in a large academic hospital.

Psychiatric presentations to the ED have increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in contrast to a decrease in presentations for other medical specialties, with this increase being driven by out-of-hours presentations. The fourfold increase in presentations of young people below the age of 18 years to the ED with mental health difficulties is an important finding and suggests a disproportionate burden of psychological strain placed on this group during the pandemic.

Tanner B and Doherty AM (2022) Crisis, 43(2): 149–156.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35774/

This study aimed to establish the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) and self-harm (SH) among Irish Travellers.

Travellers were more commonly diagnosed with depression or substance abuse, referred from critical care, and transferred for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Limitations include the use of retrospective data from a service activity database rather than clinical information collected prospectively. There are significant differences in patterns of suicidal behaviors between Irish Travellers and the general population. Further research is required to understand and address the high rates of suicidal behaviors in this population.

Kavalidou K, Daly C, McTernan N and Corcoran P (2022) Research Square, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35870/

The aim of the current study was to compare the incidence of hospital-presenting self-harm and suicide-related ideation of Travellers to non-Traveller patients and describe any ethnic disparities in the aftercare of their presentation.

Given that Irish Travellers are at higher risk of suicide-related hospital presentations, compared to other ethnic groups in Ireland, EDs [emergency departments] should be viewed as an important suicide intervention point.

Hamilton C (2022) European Journal of Criminology, Early online.https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35769/

This country survey examines: the core Irish criminal justice institutions; basic trends in crime and punishment over the last 50 years; and critical junctures in the debate over law and order in recent decades. Using an earlier country survey by O’Donnell (2005a) as a baseline, it charts the significant growth of the discipline of criminology within Ireland.

The article argues that Irish criminal justice retains a distinctively local flavour and highlights the promise of Irish criminology in many key areas of contemporary interest.

Hayes CB, Patterson J, Castello S, Burke E, O’Connell N, Darker CD, et al. (2022) Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 24(4): 564–573.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/35773/

We Can Quit (WCQ) is a community-based stop-smoking program delivered by trained community facilitators, based on the socio-ecological framework and developed using a Community-based Participatory Research approach, targeting women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) areas of Ireland. The We Can Quit2 (WCQ2) pilot trial assessed the feasibility of WCQ.

This pilot trial showed that a stop-smoking intervention tailored to a group of women smokers living in SED areas which was delivered by trained local women within their local communities was feasible. Furthermore, although not formally compared, more WCQ women were abstinent from smoking at the end of treatment. The results are relevant to enhance the design of a fully powered effectiveness trial, and provide important evidence on the barriers to deliver a tailored smoking cessation service to SED women smokers in Ireland.

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

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