Doyle A, O’Dwyer C, Mongan D, et al. (2022) BMC Public Health, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37780/

This study examined factors related to awareness of the association between alcohol use and breast cancer risk.

As breast cancer is a prevalent disease among women in Ireland, it is essential that the public, in particular women who drink, are made aware of this association. Public health messages that highlight the health risks associated with alcohol use, and which target individuals with lower educational levels, are warranted.

Duggan B and Mohan G (2022) Journal of Gambling Studies, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37798/

This paper develops and expands upon social identity theory as an explanation for gambling among youth engaged in team sport.

Analysing longitudinal data for over 4,500 20-year-olds from the Growing Up in Ireland study reveals that online gambling increased from 2.6 to 9.3% between 17 and 20 years in the cohort, with the increase driven by males.

Foley M, Reidy M and Wells JSG (2022) Journal of Substance Use, 27(3): 283–288.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37216/

Stakeholder’s views on the role of recovery capital, including issues and barriers, that might address service provision for individuals with alcohol- and drug-related problems are important for improving outcomes.

This research highlights the need for greater integration between policy and practice. Providing an assessment of evidence-based recovery-orientated interventions is likely to improve the system.

Sheedy O’Sullivan E, McCarthy KM, O’Neill C, et al. (2022) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23): 16096. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37749/

The current study sought to investigate these impacts [of COVID-19 on university students’ health and lifestyle parameters] within an Irish university setting. A cross-sectional design was employed, with a 68-item questionnaire instrument disseminated to all Year 2 undergraduate students in the host institution (N=2752), yielding a 9.7% response rate (n=266). This questionnaire elicited students’ self-reported changes to health-related behaviours, mental well-being and academic engagement across 4 defined time-points: (T0: prior to COVID-19, T1: initial onset of COVID-19, T2: during COVID-19, and T3: time of data collection). Many items were adapted from previous Irish research and additional validated scales included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) and the World Health Organisation’s Well-being scale (WHO-5).

Worryingly, AUDIT-C scale data revealed hazardous drinking habits were evident in both males and females.

Critchlow N, Moodie C, Mackintosh AM, Gallopel-Morvan K, et al. (2022) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37702/

This study examined (1) changes in awareness [of alcohol advertising] two years post-restrictions, when COVID-19 mitigation measures had eased; and (2) how changes in Ireland compare to Northern Ireland, where the restrictions do not apply.

Ireland’s restrictions have reduced past-month awareness of alcohol advertising at the cinema and on public transport, but not outdoors. Continued monitoring is required.

Reddon H and Ivers J-H (2023) Addiction Research & Theory, 31(2): 148–154.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37292/

The present study was conducted to estimate the association between measures of hope for the future and time to substance use relapse among people living with opioid dependence following their discharge from opioid detoxification programs.

In the present study, increased mean levels of hope were associated with slower rates of relapse among people living with opioid dependence following discharge from detoxification programs. These findings suggest that empowering people in recovery and providing additional support following services such as detoxification may be valuable strategies to reduce relapse rates among people living with opioid dependence.

Healy R, Goodwin J and Kelly P (2022)International Journal of Drug Policy, 110: 103901.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37442/

This paper explores the narratives of service users of contemporary methadone maintenance treatment services (MMT) in the Republic of Ireland to obtain their perspectives in the context of them negotiating their right to health.

The treatment of service users, based on human rights principles such as equality, respect, autonomy, empowerment and personal choice, remains aspirational and is unlikely to be fulfilled without addressing more systemic challenges such as funding, training of staff, service culture, governance and independent oversight of MMT services.

Mac Dhonnagáin N, O’Reilly A, Shevlin M, et al. (2022) Child Psychiatry & Human Development, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37279/

This study aimed to identify risk factors among youth attending Jigsaw, a youth mental health service in Ireland.

The findings provide insight into associations between young people’s identified presenting issues and self-identified distress. Implications include applying appropriate therapeutic modalities to focus on risk factors and informing routine outcome measurement in integrated youth mental health services.

Kelly P, Hegarty J, Dyer KR and O’Donovan A (2022) Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37350/

The objective of this multi-site cross-sectional study was to identify and understand how client characteristics and staff perceptions of organizational functioning related to client engagement in community-based opiate substitution therapy services in Ireland.

This paper provides valuable information for policymakers and provides an ample basis for further exploration of how treatment organizations work, and not just that they work.

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
Copyediting:            O’Hanlon Media

© Health Research Board, 2023
 

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