Cosma A, Elgar FJ, de Looze M, Canale N, Lenzi M, Inchley J and Vieno A (2022) SSM – Population Health, 19: 101208.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37152/

In summary, our study highlights that structural gender inequality is associated with gender differences in adolescent involvement in substance use. Considering the current large variations in the direction and magnitude of gender differences in adolescent substance use showed by our findings, when orienting the transition towards a more gender-equal society it is important to implement prevention programs focused on specific health behaviours and contexts. International health institutions and national health systems should adapt prevention policies to the specificity of local contexts, by using empirical evidence to inform programs and evaluating their effectiveness on the target outcomes.

Kelly P, Hegarty J, Dyer KR, O’Donovan A (2022) Journal of Addictions Nursing, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36971/

This study explores the impact that staff and service characteristics have on the process of training adoption in Irish opiate substitution therapy services, with a specific focus on the concept of organizational readiness to change.

Planners and service managers need to carefully consider the composition or dynamics of services when initiating change. Organizational readiness to change and staff characteristics as measured by instruments used in this study are important determinants of the process of innovation or training adoption and provide a good basis for developing further understanding of how treatment services work. This article expands on results from previous studies conducted in the United States to a European context.

McEvoy D, Clarke M and Joyce M (2022) Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36953/

This scoping review sought to identify studies that report on the peak time of day for self-harm presentations to hospital Emergency Departments (EDs). This could help hospital managers to properly allocate the appropriate services for self-harm patients when they are needed the most.

While this scoping review identified a satisfactory number of studies for data extraction, examination of time of day of presentation was a secondary outcome across most studies. Given that the majority of studies focused on adult samples, further research is necessary to investigate peak times for other age cohorts. More research on this topic is also needed in low- and middle-income countries. Consideration should be given to ensure that the necessary resources to treat hospital presenting self-harm are allocated outside of typical working hours.

Houghton F (2022) Medicina Internacia Revuo (MIR), 30(118): 27–36.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36950/

The gambling industry in Ireland feigns concern with corporate social responsibility (CSR) to camouflage its activities. Three particular aspects of the gambling industries’ CSR activities may be referred to as health-washing. These are the funding of gambling related research, the funding of counselling programs for individuals and their families impacted by problematic gambling, and the funding of gambling related third-level courses.

This commentary focuses specifically on the last two of these which are funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust (GAT), a representative body of the Irish gambling industry.

Fitzpatrick P, Bhardwaj N, Lyons A, Doherty K, Frazer, K McCann A, Niranjan V, Syed S and Fox P (2022) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4): 2348. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36796/

As part of a feasibility study of smoking cessation for cancer patients in Ireland, smoking rates were reviewed. Hospital
In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data on the smoking status of discharges with a cancer diagnosis (overall, breast, lung, cervical and head and neck cancer) were used (2014-2018).

Rates remain high; therefore, robust documentation and smoking cessation referrals for cancer patients are important.

Finucane A and Moran Stritch J (2022) South Eastern European Journal of Public Health, 6: 5768.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36795/

The decriminalisation of drugs and how it can impact addiction, crime and mental health is a subject that inspires global interest and debate. Much has been written about the positive outcomes of decriminalisation from a public health perspective, including the elimination of aggressive policing and community oversight and the shift to offering treatment and social supports for those affected by addiction. Ireland has yet to move to a model of decriminalisation, although a system similar to the one employed in Portugal has been suggested. This article briefly outlines reasons why a paradigm shift is vital if progress is to be made in reducing addiction in contemporary Ireland. The potential benefits could include a reduction in the pervasive social stigma connected with substance abuse, leading to less social exclusion within the Irish population.

Darker CD, Burke E, Castello S, O’Sullivan K, O’Connell N, Vance J, Reynolds C, Buggy A, Dougall N, Loudon K, Williams P, Dobbie F, Bauld L and Hayes CB (2022) BMC Public Health, 22(1): 1528.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36800/

This paper reports on the ‘We Can Quit 2’ process evaluation which assessed feasibility and acceptability of the programme and trial processes.

Intervention and trial-related processes were generally feasible and acceptable to participants and CFs [community facilitators]. Any future DT [definitive trial] will need to take further steps to mitigate structural barriers to accessing free NRT [nicotine replacement therapy]; and the established problem of low literacy and low educational attainment in SED [socio-economic disadvantage] areas, while continuing to comply within the contemporary legislative research environment.

Houghton F and O’Mahony C (2022) South Eastern European Journal of Public Health, XVIII: 5720.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36607/

This study sought to determine if the assumed alcohol strength of beer and cider available in a sample of mainstream supermarkets was appropriate. This study also sought to examine if the assumed size of containers of beer and cider was accurate.

There is a substantial level of variation in the container size and alcohol content of beer available in mainstream supermarkets in Ireland.

Maguire E, Kavalivdou K, Bannan N, Doherty AM and Jeffers A (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36724/

This study aimed to examine any change in self-harm and suicide-related ideation presentations, together with any possible contribution made by alcohol or substance misuse, to Irish Emergency Departments in 2020, compared with 2018 and 2019.

An increase in suicide-related ideation and substance-related self-harm presentations may indicate longer term effects of the pandemic and its relevant restrictions. Future studies might explore whether those presenting with ideation will develop a risk of suicide in post-pandemic periods.

Houghton F and Houghton D (2022) Medicina Internacia Revuo (MIR), 29(117): 176–181.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36658/

A spin-off event building on the global focus on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was the production of 213 kimonos as part of Imagine One World’s Kimono Project. Problematically, the kimono produced for Ireland features both the word Guinness and the associated harp symbol. This serves to reinforce and legitimise links between alcohol, sport, culture, and Irish identity. As an artistic work, rather than paid advertising or sponsorship, the kimono would probably not be covered by alcohol advertising control legislation in most countries. National alcohol control advocacy groups should develop materials and linkages with national arts and cultural representative groups to ensure their health message is widely heard.

Daly D and Sweeney BJ (2022) Irish Medical Journal, 115(6): 615.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36550/

This research aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of use of cannabinoids for pain relief among a sample of Irish people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Pain is a significant problem for people with PwMS. A substantial number of people used cannabinoids to manage their pain, however, further research into the efficacy and long-term side effects of this substance is necessary.

Bhargav M and Swords L (2022) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36564/

This study aimed to explore the degree of COVID-19-related stress among college students enrolled in higher level institutions and identify socio-demographic and psychosocial factors that may predict, or be associated with, higher levels of pandemic-related distress.

Findings suggest that certain categories of college students may be at higher risk for experiencing poor mental health during a global pandemic. Higher level institutions should consider this when designing and delivering support services aiming to promote student mental health and alleviate mental distress.

O’Callaghan D, Lambert S, Conway N and Frost N (2022) Death Studies, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36779/

This paper explores the experience of posttraumatic growth in families who have lost a family member to a drug-related death. Seven family units (17 participants) were interviewed, and interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analyses revealed themes that reflected positive adaptation and growth, including (a) reframing the loss, (b) open dialogue and social support, and (c) reclamation of purpose. Themes are presented in this paper for their pertinence in understanding how best to negotiate adaptation through complicated grief.

The paper concludes that posttraumatic growth can occur once families begin a process of acceptance and receive support through the journey.

Kearney N and Kirby B (2022) American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 23: 881–890.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36893/

Dermatologists may be able to complete brief interventions encouraging alcohol reduction in psoriasis patients. Psoriasis patients may respond to messages of gain with reduced psoriasis severity and loss with reduced cardiovascular risk. It is important for dermatologists to discuss alcohol with all psoriasis patients, to be aware of the impact of alcohol in psoriasis and to familiarise themselves with screening tools, brief intervention and local services available to patients who require specialist input for harmful alcohol use or alcohol dependency.

Lesch M and McCambridge J (2022) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 83(4): 574–581.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/36657/

This study examines how the alcohol industry responded to developments in Irish alcohol policy leading to the 2018 Public Health (Alcohol) Act, a set of measures designed to reduce overall alcohol consumption in order to reduce harm to health and society. Previous research has emphasized the political and economic strengths of the alcohol industry in Ireland and elsewhere. This study examines the origins of and the debates over this legislation to better understand the political tactics of the alcohol industry.

Public health considerations withstood a range of challenges from alcohol industry interests in passing public health legislation in Ireland. The findings have important implications for the study of the alcohol industry's political tactics in Ireland and elsewhere, including the use of lobbying registry data as a potential data source.

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
 

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