POLICY

Davoren MP, Lane D, Kirby J, Gibney K, Kinsley G, Hope A, et al. (2019) Journal of Public Health Policy, 40(1): 76–90.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/29899/

The aim of this research was to examine the level of support for evidence-based alcohol control policy among the Irish population.

The majority of individuals (>50%) supported alcohol policy measures. These individuals are more likely to be low-risk drinkers, older individuals, and report alcohol-related issues in their local area. In the context of Ireland’s Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, this research signals support for evidence-based strategies including minimum unit pricing and a reduction and separation of alcohol sales outlets.

RESPONSES

Dermody A, Gardner C, Davis S, Lambert S, Dermody J and Fein M (2018) Irish Probation Journal, 15: 161–78.                         https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30005/

This research was commissioned to facilitate a better understanding of the women’s needs [presenting to homeless, probation and drug treatment services in Limerick city], with a view to enabling services to be more responsive. This paper presents a brief literature review of trauma and trauma-informed care, outlines the research findings and makes recommendations for future service design and delivery.

Spillane A, Matvienko-Sikar K, Larkin C, Corcoran P and Arensman E (2019) International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 14, (1).                                                https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30204/

The current study aimed to explore how suicide-bereaved family members (n=8) experienced the inquest process, through qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Key recommendations include informing family members of the main aspects and purpose of the inquest process beforehand, adapting the process to maximise the privacy and comfort of the bereaved relatives, and restricting graphic evidence being heard, where possible, to minimise distress experienced by family members.

McDonnell BP, Keogan S, Clancy L and Regan C (2019) European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, 232: 1–4.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30003/

Although recommendations exist for the management of pregnant smokers, information on the antenatal care of Irish smokers in pregnancy has not been described. We reviewed the care given to smokers in a large urban maternity hospital.

Maternal cigarette smoking appears to be a largely tolerated risk factor in the population studied, despite being associated with poor obstetric outcomes. We identified an absence of smoking cessation services and a lack of intervention and structure around care pathways.

Burns A, Lucey JV, Strawbridge J, Clancy L and Doyle F (2018) Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11: 524–31.                        

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/29874/

This study aimed to evaluate current levels of cessation care provided, and 3-month quit-rates, in one such setting in Ireland.

Despite a high current smoking prevalence among psychiatric inpatients, and similar motivation and quit rates to other populations, current cessation care rates are low. Smoking cessation care needs to be prioritised in psychiatric settings.

Daly A, Craig S and O’Sullivan E (2019) Irish Medical Journal, 112: 853.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30179/

This paper examines admissions for the last ten years for those recorded as of no fixed abode (NFA) on the National Psychiatric In-Patient Reporting System (NPIRS).

The paper concludes the need to use routinely collected data to help understand and address the need of specific homeless sub-groups particularly those on institutional circuits that include psychiatric in-patient facilities. To enable this it recommends the implementation of the individual health identifier as a matter of urgency.

Moran L, Keenan E and Elmusharaf K (2018) BMC Health Services Research, 18(1): 911.                                                           

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30195/

To date, very few studies have specifically investigated the reasons why a cohort of clients remain ‘trapped’ in the high risk, specialist clinical setting.

To optimise the functioning of the MMTP [Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programme], three tasks need to be fulfilled: 1) Reduce the incidences of ACEs [adverse childhood experiences], 2) Diagnose and treat clients with a dual diagnosis, 3) Educate clients, their families, the public and allied health care professionals on all aspects of OUD [opioid use disorder]. A cross-departmental, inter-governmental approach is needed to address opioid misuse as a societal issue as a whole.

Ivers J-H, Zgaga L, O’Donoghue-Hynes B, Heary A, Gallwey B and Barry J (2019) BMJ Open, 9(1): e023010.                              

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30198/

The aim of this study was to calculate standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for a cohort of homeless people in the Dublin region over a 5-year period and to examine leading causes of death.

Mortality rates among homeless persons are exceptionally high. Services and programmes, particularly housing and those targeting overdose and alcoholism, are urgently needed to prevent premature mortality in this vulnerable population.

Delargy I, Crowley D and Van Hout MC (2019) Harm Reduction Journal, 16(1): 5.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30173/

Twenty years of the MTP [methadone treatment protocol] has been the mainstay of harm reduction services in Ireland. It has provided a network of specially trained GPs who provide methadone to over 10,000 patients across Ireland within a structured framework of training, quality assurance and remuneration. With the ongoing commitment of Irish specialists in the field of addiction medicine, further improvements to support and treat patients can be made.

Kennedy C, Duggan E, Bennett K and Williams DJ (2019) Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 28:(1): 106–11.  

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30150/

The aims of this study were to examine a national database to assess codeine poisonings before and after the new guidance for pharmacists while also evaluating rates of codeine prescriptions following the introduction of restrictions on supply.

New guidance on codeine supply coincided with an initial reduction in reported codeine poisoning cases. This reduction was in keeping with the previous trend. However, this was without an increase in the prevailing rate of prescription claims for these products or potential substitutes. Policymakers may consider further restriction of codeine products to improve public health outcomes.

Uí Bhroin S, Kinahan J and Murphy A (2019) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Early online.                                       

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30155/

The primary aim was to describe the prevalence of FAs [frequent attenders] at an inner city ED [emergency department]. A subgroup analysis was undertaken for high and very high FAs to establish demographics and other factors which might cause them to attend frequently.

This retrospective review is the most detailed assessment of Irish FAs undertaken to date. Further studies are required to examine the Irish hospitals most at need of Case Management Strategy Programmes which we postulate could minimise the risk of adverse outcomes for these patients and improve overall ED efficiency.

Davies EL, Maier LJ, Winstock AR and Ferris JA (2019) Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 99: 80–87.                

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30183/

This paper aimed to assess intentions to reduce drinking and the preferred sources of support among a large international sample of people who drink alcohol.

Interest in online interventions for harmful drinking is significant and highest among people who drink at low risk. Online tools should offer brief screening and feedback, ensuring that people with high risk drinking patterns are referred to more specialist services.

Cully G, Corcoran P, Leahy D, Griffin E, Dillon C, Cassidy E, et al. (2019) Journal of Affective Disorders, 246, 843–50.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30170/

This study examined risk of hospital presented self-harm repetition according to specific characteristics of self-harm methods.

Self-harm method and the associated risk of repetition should form a core part of biopsychosocial assessments and should inform follow-up care for self-harm patients. The observed differences in repetition associated with specific characteristics of IDO [intentional drug overdose] underline the importance of safety planning and monitoring prescribing for people who have engaged in IDO.

Collins C, Finegan P and O’Riordan M (2018) BMC Family Practice, 19(1): 200.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30133/

This study aimed to explore Irish general practitioners’ (GPs) current practice of and attitudes towards the management of problem alcohol use.

GPs in this survey reported widespread experience of screening and intervention, however, many still felt ineffective. In order to maximise the potential impact of GPs, a clearer understanding is required of what interventions are effective in different scenarios. Furthermore, GPs are only part of the solution in terms of addressing alcohol consumption. The services available in the broader health care system and Government alcohol related policy needs to further support GPs and patients.

Mullineux JC, Taylor BJ and Giles ML (2019) Journal of Social Work, 19(1): 41–59.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30176/

Social workers and probation officers are frequently called upon to make judgements about the likelihood of re-offending. However, whilst the use of risk assessment instruments is now commonplace, the cognitive processes through which these judgements are made are rarely explicit.

It is suggested that the design and implementation of assessment tools should be undertaken in the light of the constructs used in making professional judgements which inform the relevant decision making.

Orr C, Spechler P, Cao Z, Albaugh M, Chaarani B, Mackey S, et al. (2019) Journal of Neuroscience, 39(10): 1817–27.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30177/

In the current study, we used voxel-based morphometry to compare grey matter volume (GMV) in 46 fourteen year old human adolescents (males and females) with just one or two instances of cannabis use and carefully matched THC-naïve [delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol] controls.

This study presents evidence suggesting structural brain and cognitive effects of just one or two instances of cannabis use in adolescence. Converging evidence suggests a role for the endocannabinoid system in these effects. This research is particularly timely as the legal status of cannabis is changing in many jurisdictions and the perceived risk by youth associated with smoking cannabis has declined in recent years.

Callinan S, Rankin G, Room R, Stanesby O, Rao GN, Waleewong O, et al. (2018) American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 45(2): 170–78.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30127/

The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of heterosexual intimate partner relationships with a heavy drinking male that resulted in reported alcohol-related harm and to investigate the impact of this on well-being in 9 countries.

Harms to women from heavy drinking intimate partners appear across a range of subgroups and impact on a wide range of women, at least demographically speaking. Women living with a heavy drinking spouse experience higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms and lower satisfaction with life.

McCambridge J, Mialon M and Hawkins B (2018) Addiction, 113(9): 1571–84.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30180/

The aim of this study was to summarize the substantive findings of studies of alcohol industry involvement in national or supranational policymaking, and to produce a new synthesis of current evidence.

Alcohol industry actors are highly strategic, rhetorically sophisticated and well organized in influencing national policymaking.

O’Connor S, McCaffrey N, Whyte E, Moran K and Lacey P (2018) The Physician and Sportsmedicine, Early online.                     https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30014/

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used by athletes to treat injuries but are also reportedly misused as performance or recovery aids. This study aimed to investigate NSAID use, knowledge, and behaviour regarding use and misuse of NSAIDs in Irish student-athletes.

Education strategies to improve student-athletes’ knowledge of appropriate use and side effects of NSAIDs are recommended, particularly for those with high levels of stress and athletic identity.

O Doherty D, Houghton F, McInerney D, Duncan B and Houghton D (2018) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Early online.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30002/

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable mortality globally and is responsible for significant morbidity. The mandatory introduction of combined anti-smoking graphic and text warnings on tobacco products within the European Union (EU) therefore has been welcomed as an important element of the necessary war on tobacco. Emerging evidence suggests that such warnings are an effective tool, particularly when combined with plain packaging.

Pérez T, Moriarty F, Wallace E, McDowell R, Redmond P and Fahey T (2018) BMJ, 363: k4524.                                 

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/29966/

The aim of this study was to determine whether hospital admission is associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing among older primary care patients (aged ≥65 years) and whether such prescribing was more likely after hospital admission than before.

Hospital admission was independently associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing. It is important to determine how hospital admission may affect appropriateness of prescribing for older people and how potential adverse consequences of admission can be minimised.

GBD 2016 Alcohol and Drug Use Collaborators (2018) Lancet Psychiatry, 5(12): 987–1012.                                      

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/29880/

We aimed to use data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016 to calculate global and regional estimates of the prevalence of alcohol, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and opioid dependence, and to estimate global disease burden attributable to alcohol and drug use between 1990 and 2016, and for 195 countries and territories within 21 regions, and within seven super-regions. We also aimed to examine the association between disease burden and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles.

Alcohol and drug use are important contributors to global disease burden. Effective interventions should be scaled up to prevent and reduce substance use disease burden.