The following abstracts are cited from published journal articles recently added to the repository of the HRB National Drugs Library at www.drugsandalcohol.ie

Murray F (2017) Lancet, 390 (10109): 2222.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28100/

Ireland has become the fourth heaviest drinking nation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in terms of quantity of alcohol consumed, and ranked joint third for binge drinking in an analysis of 194 nations by WHO. Irish adults consume on average 11·5 L of pure alcohol per person every year, an increase of more than 100% compared with 60 years ago. Most alcohol in Ireland is now consumed at home and alcohol retailing off licences have increased by five-fold since 1990. Despite high alcohol taxes and duties, cheap alcohol is sold in many more outlets.

Columb D and O’Gara C (2017) Irish Journal of
Psychological Medicine. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28197/

The aim of this study is to look at an Irish population in relation to the online gambling activities people are engaging with, the reasons for gambling online, their attitudes to online gambling and the financial/mental health consequences of online gambling.

Online gamblers in Ireland share similar behavioural profiles to online gamblers in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The majority of participants in this research have been adversely affected from both a mental and financial perspective due to their gambling behaviours.

McNamara PH, Coen R, Redmond, J, Doherty CP and Bergin C (2017) Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 4(1): ofw242.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28177/

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders occurs in 20%-50% of HIV-positive patients. We undertook this study to assess the prevalence of a positive screen for cognitive impairment in the clinic population at our institution and to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a screening program in routine clinical encounters.

The study highlights the necessity for a structured, prospective, large-scale screening program for cognitive impairment across countries with limited resources and demonstrates the feasibility of easily implementing this with minimal training.

Carew AM and Comiskey C (2018) Drug and
Alcohol Dependence, 182: 48—57.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28129/

Historically, issues relating to problem substance use among older people have received little attention, and have only recently been recognised.

Findings suggest that little is known about treatment outcomes among older people. Problematic drug use (of which opioids make up the largest proportion) had been incorrectly assumed to end as patients age. Defining an age limit for ‘older’ is important. Addiction and healthcare services must anticipate and prepare for increased demand by this group.

Glynn RW, Lynn Ena, Griffin E, Fitzgerald M and Ward M (2017) Irish Medical Journal, 110(9): 631.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27977/

This work aims to contribute to the evidence base regarding the health of those who experience homelessness in Ireland by collating data on methadone use, drug-related deaths and emergency department presentations due to self-harm.

The number of drug-related deaths amongst those of NFA or homeless and who died in Dublin fluctuated from 2004-13 with an overall upward trend. There is an urgent need to adequately resource and coordinate those services which aim to address factors (social and health inequalities, mental ill-health and addiction) which lead people into — and prevent them exiting from — homelessness.

HHolton AE, Gallagher P, Fahey T and Cousins G (2017)
BMC Geriatrics, 17(1): 148.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27636/

The aim of this study was to systematically review the prevalence of concurrent use of alcohol and alcohol-interactive (AI) medicines in older adults and associated adverse outcomes.

While there appears to be a high propensity for alcohol-medication interactions in older adults, there is a lack of consensus regarding what constitutes an AI medication. An explicit list of AI medications needs to be derived and validated prospectively to quantify the magnitude of risk posed by the concurrent use of alcohol for adverse outcomes in older adults. This will allow for risk stratification of older adults at the point of prescribing, and prioritise alcohol screening and brief alcohol interventions in high-risk groups.

Laslett AM, Rankin G, Waleewong O, Callinan S,
Hoang HTM, Florenzano R, et al. (2017) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(2): 195—202.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27620/

This study aims to ascertain and compare the prevalence
and correlates of alcohol-related harms to children
cross-nationally.

Family-level drinking patterns were consistently identified as correlates of harm to children because of others’ drinking, whereas sociodemographic factors showed few obvious correlations.

Hearne E, Alves EA, Van Hout MC and Grund JPC (2017) Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 49(4): 279—88.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27580/

We illustrate here how online communal folk pharmacology of homemade drugs on drug website forums may actually inform home manufacture practices or contribute to the reduction of harms associated with this practice.

Drug discussion forums should consider re-evaluating their policies on chemistry discussions in aiming to reach people who cannot or will not refrain from cooking their own drugs with credible information that may contribute to reductions in the harms associated with this practice.

Van Hout MC, Crowley D, Collins C, Barry A, Lyons S and Delargy I (2017) Heroin Addiction and Related
Clinical Problems. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27568/

We describe characteristics of methadone related overdose deaths and assess if differences exist between those dying on and off opioid agonist treatment (OAT).

Methadone related fatal overdose is a significant cause of death in young Irish, who share many characteristics
with other drug related deaths. Improved monitoring,
risk assessment and OAT retention strategies is warranted to inform national drug overdose plans and overdose prevention.

Freeman A, Mergl R, Kohls E, Székely A, Gusmao R, Arensman E, et al. (2017) BMC Psychiatry, 17(1): 234.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27550/

The aim of this study is to explore gender differences in suicide intent in a cross-national study of suicide attempts. The secondary aims are to investigate the gender differences in suicide attempt across age and country.

Considering the differences in suicidal intent between males and females highlighted by the current study, gender targeted prevention and intervention strategies would be recommended.

Gallagher C, Radmall Z, O’Gara C and Burke T (2017) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27544

The aim of this study was to characterise rates of co-morbid psychiatric symptoms among a group of individuals commencing treatment for alcohol dependence, and to examine the stability of these symptoms following treatment of the alcohol problem.

The significant change in rates of reported symptoms following completion of treatment suggests that a large proportion of symptoms reported at treatment entry were substance related. Diagnosing co-morbid conditions is best left until after a period of abstinence during which the alcohol problem has been treated. Assessing for co-morbidity at time of treatment seeking is likely to result in inappropriate co-morbid diagnoses being made and inappropriate or unnecessary treatments being prescribed for such individuals.

Korcha RA, Cherpitel CJ, Bond J, Ye Y, Monteiro MG and Chou P (2017) Journal of Substance Use. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28096/

It is estimated that up to a third of injuries requiring emergency department (ED) admission are alcohol-related. While injuries that are alcohol-related are unsurprising to ED staff, less is understood about the precursors to the injury event.

Understanding the cause and context of injury and alcohol use are important components to evaluation
and development of alcohol policies.

O’Driscoll C and Foy S (2017) The Irish Psychologist,
43(12): 16—20.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27973/

Addiction is a common problem that practitioner psychologists face with their clients. It is however, the view and experience of the authors that specialised training in addiction treatment for psychologists is sparse, inconsistent and incomprehensive.

This article aims to give some context to the nature of these issues and the challenges facing practitioners, offer an overview of evidence in the treatment of addiction, and finally conclude with some guidance to psychologists in the treatment of these issues in the psychotherapeutic context.

Yoder R, MacNeela P, Conway R and Heary C (2017) Obesity Surgery. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28007/

The aim is to construct a theory to explain the development of AUD (alcohol use disorder) among a sample of individuals who reported problematic drinking following RYGB (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass).

The theoretical framework of ‘filling the void’ adds to contemporary research that conceptualises AUD behavioural substitution as ‘addiction transfer’ by describing the process by which the phenomenon occurs as well as the characteristics of participants. The clinical implication of this research is to advocate for a reshaping of treatment of RYGB patients, with increased psychological input following surgery.

Moloney L and Rohde D (2017) Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(2): 100—111.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27981/

This study highlights the value and meaning of participation in football for men with psychosis, as well as demonstrating the longer-term feasibility of football as a therapeutic medium in Occupational Therapy mental health service provision. Findings could help to promote the routine use of sports interventions to mental health services.

Bennardi M, McMahon E, Corcoran P, Griffin E and Arensman E (2016) BMC Psychiatry, 16(1): 421.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27940/

Repeated self-harm represents the single strongest risk factor for suicide. To date no study with full national coverage has examined the pattern of hospital repeated presentations due to self-harm among young people.

Young people with the highest risk for repeated self-harm were 15—19-year-old females and 20—24-year-old males. Self-cutting was the method associated with the highest risk of self-harm repetition. Time between first self-harm presentations represents an indicator of subsequent repetition. To prevent risk of repeated self-harm in young people, all individuals presenting at emergency departments due to self-harm should be provided with a risk assessment including psychosocial characteristics, history of self-harm and time between first presentations.

McArdle D and Kabir Z (2017) Irish Journal of Medical Science. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27706/

The aims of this study are to examine hospital staff awareness and to assess the progress of selected HSE health care facilities towards a TFC (tobacco-free campus) policy.

Staff awareness of the HSE TFC policy across selected health care facilities in Ireland is positive but is not sufficient. There are gaps in the implementation process of the HSE TFC policy in the health care facilities. Therefore, proper communication on the importance of the ENSH-Global standards and cessation training to all staff is necessary to help reduce smoking rates across the health care facilities and also to move towards a Tobacco Free Campus in Ireland.

Crowley D, Cullen W, Laird E, Lambert JS, McHugh T, Murphy C and Van Hout MC (2017) Journal of Translational Internal Medicine, 5(2): 112—119.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27666/

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue. There is substandard uptake in HCV assessment and treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). Community fibroscanning is used to assess disease severity and target treatment.

The study highlights the usefulness of community fibroscanning. Identifying barriers to treatment in this cohort affords an opportunity to increase the treatment uptake. The availability of afternoon clinics and enhanced prison linkage are warranted.

Ayu AP, El-Guebaly N, Schellekens A, De Jong C, Welle-Strand G and Small W (2017) Substance Abuse, 38(4): 483—87.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27667/

We undertook this study to assess the views of international scholars, representing different countries, on the core set
of addiction medicine competencies that need to be covered in medical education.

While it is unclear whether a global curriculum is needed, a consensus on a core set of principles for progression of knowledge, attitude and skills in addiction medicine to be developed at each educational level amongst medical graduates would likely have substantial value.

McVeigh J, Hearne E, Bates G and Van Hout MC (2017) Research in Social Administration and Pharmacy, 13(4): 767—77.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27519/

The aim was to understand and illustrate pharmacist experiences of providing NSP (needle and syringe programmes).

Further enhancement of NSP coverage and targeted service delivery within national care pathways for drug and alcohol services is warranted.