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

Moylett S and Hughes BM (2017)
Addictive Behaviors Reports, 6: 56–64.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28433/

The study presented one of the first examinations of the associations among personality, alcohol-related protective behavioural strategies (PBS), alcohol consumption, sexual intercourse and sex-related alcohol negative consequences in Irish, female college students (n=522).

The findings of this study posited that the use of PBS has a key role to play in the levels of sexual intercourse and alcohol consumption, age and openness, and the associated negative sexual consequences in Irish, female college students.

Barrett P, Griffin E, Corcoran P, O’Mahony M and Arensman E (2018) Journal of Affective Disorders, 229: 523–31.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28457/

The study aim was to estimate the incidence of self-harm among the homeless population and to assess factors associated with self-harm.

There is a disproportionate burden of self-harm among the homeless. Targeted preventive actions are warranted.

O’Rourke C, Linden MA, Lohan M and Bates-Gaston J (2016)
Brain Injury, 30(7): 839–54.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28446/

The aim of this review is to systematically explore the literature surrounding the rates of TBI and their co-occurrences in a prison population.

The high degree of variation in TBI rates may be attributed to the inconsistent way in which TBI was measured, with only seven studies using valid and reliable screening tools. Additionally, gaps in the literature surrounding personality outcomes in prisoners with TBI, female prisoners with TBI and qualitative outcomes were found.

Van Hout MC, Benschop A, Bujalski M, Dabrowska K,
Demetrovics Z, Felvinczi K, et al. (2018) International Journal
of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(2): 480–95.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28500/

This study describes health and social consequences of recent NPS use as reported in a survey of marginalised, nightlife and online NPS users in the Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, Ireland, Germany and Poland (n=3023).

Marginalised users reported substantially more acute side effects, more mid- and long-term mental and physical problems, and more social problems. Development of country-specific NPS awareness raising initiatives, health and social service needs assessments, and targeted responses are warranted.

Daly C, Griffin E, Ashcroft DM, Webb RT, Perry IJ and Arensman E (2017) Clinical Drug Investigation, 38(4): 373–80.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28436/

This paper examines the trends in the prevalence of gabapentinoids taken in Intentional drug overdose (IDO), the profile of individuals taking them, and associated overdose characteristics.

It is important for clinicians to exercise vigilance while prescribing gabapentinoids, including being aware of other medications that their patients may have access to. Our findings support the need for routine monitoring for signs of misuse among those prescribed gabapentinoids.

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 occur 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.

Different drinking motives, different adverse consequences? Evidence among adolescents from 10 European countries
Wicki M, Kuntsche E, Eichenberger Y, Aasvee K, Bendtsen P, Dankulincová Vselská Z, et al. (2017) Drug and Alcohol Review, 36(6): 731–41.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28172/

This study, which builds on previous research demonstrating that drinking motives are associated with adverse consequences, investigates the associations between drinking motives and non-alcohol-attributed adverse consequences and disentangles alcohol-related and direct effects.

While the actual mean level of drinking motives, alcohol use and adverse consequence varied across countries, the consistency of association patterns implies that drinking motive-inspired health promotion efforts are likely to be beneficial across Europe. This is particularly important for coping drinkers because they are especially prone to adverse consequences over and above their alcohol use.

Barsties LS, Walsh SD, Huijts T, Bendtsen P, Molcho M, Buijs T, et al. (2017) Drug and Alcohol Review, 36(6): 769–78.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28171/

This internationally comparative study examines differences in alcohol consumption between first- and second-generation immigrant and native adolescents. We also investigate to what extent origin and receiving country alcohol per capita consumption (APCC) rates and proportions of heavy episodic drinkers (HED) are associated with immigrant adolescents’ alcohol consumption.

Our results suggest differences in lifetime frequencies of alcohol use and drunkenness between natives and first- and second-generation immigrant adolescents. Origin country APCC and HED seem to affect immigrant adolescents' alcohol consumption differently than receiving country
APCC and HED.

Moriarty J, McVicar D and Higgins K (2016) Social Science & Medicine, 163: 37–44.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28397/

Peer effects in adolescent cannabis are difficult to estimate, due in part to the lack of appropriate data on behaviour
and social ties. This paper exploits survey data that have many desirable properties and have not previously been used for this purpose.

We conclude that cross-sectional data can be used to estimate plausible positive peer effects on cannabis use where network structure information is available and appropriately exploited.

Larkin C, Griffin E, Corcoran P, McAuliffe C, Perry IJ and Arensman E (2017)
Crisis, 38(6): 413–22.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28375/

This study sought to identify factors associated with alcohol consumption in cases of suicide and nonfatal self-harm presentations.

Alcohol consumption commonly precedes suicidal behavior, and several factors differentiated alcohol-related suicidal acts. Self-harm cases, in particular, differ in profile when alcohol is consumed and may require a tailored clinical approach to minimize risk of further nonfatal or fatal self-harm.

McMahon EM, Corcoran P, Keeley H, Cannon M, Carli V, Wasserman C, et al. (2017) BJPsych Open, 3(6): 291–99.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28369/

This study aims to examine the prevalence of emotional and behavioural difficulties, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among migrant adolescents and their non-migrant peers.

Appropriate mental health services and school-based supports are required to meet the complex needs of migrant adolescents.

Dolphin L, Fitzgerald A and Dooley B (2017) Early Intervention in Psychiatry. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28353/

Risky sex behaviours among college students are a growing public health concern. However, few studies have profiled these behaviours using a large range of psychosocial correlates.

Suggestions are made for sexual education and intervention programs to specifically target subgroups of the student population.

Glynn RW, Byrne N, O’Dea S, Shanley A, Codd M, Keenan E, et al. (2017) International Journal of Drug Policy,
52: 9–15.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28327/

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chemsex, associated behaviours and STIs among attendees at Ireland's only MSM-specific sexual health clinic in Dublin over a six week period in 2016.

These results support international evidence of a chemsex culture among a subset of MSM. They will be used to develop an effective response which simultaneously addresses addiction and sexual ill-health among MSM who experience harm/seek help as a consequence of engagement in chemsex.

Ryan M, McFadden R, Gilvarry E, Loane R, Whelan D and O’Neill D (2017)
Irish Medical Journal, 110(10).
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28335/

Irrespective of national guidelines for medical fitness to drive, this study investigated the cumulative expert wisdom of clinicians regarding minimum periods of driving cessation required for patients suffering from conditions that can impair driver capability. Occupational Physicians (196) and Psychiatrists (103) completed an online questionnaire.

Chi-square test results indicated statistically significant differences in clinical opinion between Occupational Physicians and Psychiatrists regarding driving cessation times for drivers suffering from psychiatric and alcohol misuse conditions except for alcohol dependence. Further studies are warranted to investigate these issues in more depth.

Ní Cheallaigh C, Cullivan S, Sears J,
Lawlee AM, Browne J, Kieran J, et al. (2017) BMJ Open, 7(11): e016420.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28307/

We sought to compare the use of unscheduled emergency department (ED) and inpatient care between housed and homeless hospital patients in a high-income European setting in Dublin, Ireland.

Homeless patients represent a significant proportion of ED attendees and medical inpatients. In contrast to housed patients, the bulk of usage of unscheduled care by homeless people occurs in individuals aged 25—65 years.

Logan C, Asadi H, Kok HK, Looby ST, Brennan P, O’Hare A, et al. (2017) Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, 61(4): 435–40.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28292/

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances worldwide. It results in a wide range of diseases and disorders affecting many organ systems. Alcohol-related nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte disturbance leave chronic abusers at risk of a range of demyelinating conditions to which the radiologist and clinician should always be alert.

We present an educational review of these entities in terms of their clinical features, neuropathology and imaging features along with a case example of each condition.

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.

Nestor LJ, McCabe E, Jones J, Clancy L and Garavan H (2018) Brain Research, 1680: 54–61.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28368/

The present study set out to examine the neural correlates of operant response outcomes in current smokers, ex-smokers and matched controls using a monetary incentive delay task during functional MRI.

The results suggest a pattern of shared and divergent reactivity in current smokers and ex-smokers within corticolimbic regions that track both positive and negative operant response outcomes. Exaggerated adaptive processing in ex-smokers may promote long-term smoking cessation through amplified negative valence outcome monitoring.

Delimata A and Seymour M (2017)
Irish Probation Journal, 14: 92–111.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28165/

Extended custodial sentences (ECSs) for serious offenders were introduced under the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008. These sentences combine custody with a subsequent period on supervised licence in the community during which offenders can be recalled to prison should their ‘risk of serious harm’ increase to an ‘unmanageable level’.

Using a documentary file analysis approach, the study investigates the outcomes for all ECS offenders released under supervised licence between 15 October 2010 and 31 December 2013
(n=57).

The paper offers tentative observations as to why some offenders remained under licence in the community and others were recalled to custody. Analysis points to the potential of enhancing pre-release working relationships between offenders and supervisors, strengthening through-care supports to reflect the complexity of offenders’ needs, and focusing on the integration of strengths-based approaches in risk management policy and practice.

Robinson E, Thornton L and Migone C (2017) Forum, 34(11): 46–48.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28341/

In Ireland there are between 20,100 and 42,000 people with HCV infection, 60% of whom are as yet undiagnosed.

New national clinical guidelines on hepatitis C screening was developed to make recommendations on who should be screened for HCV and how that screening should be done.

Carr N and Maguire N (2017)
Irish Probation Journal, 14: 52–71.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28303/

The research was commissioned by the Probation Service and was a small-scale, in-depth study exploring the role of PSRs (pre-sentence reports) in sentencing, with a particular emphasis on understanding the process of communication involved from the perspectives of Probation Officers who create the reports and judges who request and receive them.

This paper draws on the findings from the research to explore specific aspects of the use of PSRs. It begins by highlighting certain features of the Irish context and then provides a brief overview of the methodological approach before presenting a summary of selected findings, including those relating to the purpose of reports and variation in their use. We explore some of the key themes arising from the research, including consistency, temporality and contingency. We conclude by noting the potential positives of pausing a process, but highlight the need for greater consistency to ensure equitable access across the country.

Clarke N (2017) Irish Probation Journal, 14: 151–63.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28305/

The ‘Nothing Works’ and ‘What Works’ debates were central to discourse on recidivism in the 1970s and 1980s. When the outrage subsided and the research based on meta-analysis was reviewed, one simple message for practitioners emerged: some things work with some people some of the time. The challenge is to find the right intervention for the right person at the right time. As agents of change, no practitioner can afford to be a ‘one-trick pony’ but will draw from a toolkit of interventions to address the factors that contribute to offending behaviour.

Programme interventions, specifically CBT-based group work programmes, are recognised as providing an appropriate and structured environment in which to address pro-criminal thinking and attitudes in order to achieve reduced offending and ultimately desistance and reintegration into communities. The Probation Service Strategy 2011—2014 identified the introduction of a range of programmes to enhance and support effective practice as a key goal. The Choice and Challenge Group Programme was the Service’s first nationally approved offending behaviour programme. Developed in accordance with evidence-based principles, its central focus is to challenge negative beliefs and attitudes, promote prosocial behaviours and enhance individual capacity for problem-solving and personal growth and development. This is a narrative about its implementation.

Wall M, Lambert S and Horan A (2017) Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28286/

The purpose of this study is to identify the issues highlighted in the data and consequently inform policy development, service delivery, future training, and pathways to support service users (SUs).

Findings indicate that, while practitioners had high levels of confidence in managing community-based detoxes, levels of knowledge of schedules, contraindications, access to support, and appropriate referral pathways were limited. Barriers to supporting detoxes emerged, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary and interagency care planning. Changing trends in drug use led participants to indicate a need for pharmacology training and development of specific local protocols.

Tobin H, Klimas J, Barry T, Egan M
and Bury G (2017) Addictive Behaviors. Early online.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28290/

We examined final-year medical students’ learning experiences and attitudes toward opioid use disorder, overdose and community naloxone provision as an emerging overdose treatment.

Our findings suggest an unmet learning need in undergraduate training on opioid use disorder, with potential consequences for patient care.

O’Farrell A, Kingsland M, Kenny S, Eldin N, Wiggers J, Wolfenden L, et al. (2018)
Drug and Alcohol Review, 37(1): 14–22.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28266/

The study aimed to test the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce alcohol misuse and related harms amongst amateur sports people in Ireland.

Intervention in community sports clubs may be effective in reducing the number of alcohol-related harms. Low levels of intervention participation and inadequate intervention dose are possible reasons for lack of a broader intervention effect.

Davies EL, Conroy D, Winstock AR
and Ferris J (2017) Addictive Behaviors,
75: 40–46.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28277/

The aim of the current paper was to explore the experiences that might lead people to reduce their alcohol consumption and to compare these findings between respondents from 21 different countries.

Understanding the different motivations that may lead individuals to change their drinking behaviours can be used to inform targeted brief interventions and targeted public health guidance.

Madureira-Lima J and Galea S (2018) Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 72(1): 54–60.
http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/28342/

Alcohol control policy has a fundamental role in limiting negative health, economic and social harm caused by alcohol consumption. However, there is substantial international heterogeneity in country-level policy adoption, implementation and monitoring.

Comparative measures so far focused on Europe or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

ACPI offers a measure of alcohol control policy across countries that makes use of a larger number of countries than its predecessors, as well as a wider range of methodologies for its calculation, both of which contribute to its validity. Furthermore, it shows that the statutory strictness of alcohol control policies is associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption.