Gulati G, Otuokpaikhian K, Crowley M, Pradeep V, Meagher D and Dunne CP (2019) International Journal of Prisoner Health, 15(1): 14–23.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30319/

The purpose of this paper is to study the demographic, clinical characteristics and outcomes for those prisoners referred to secondary mental healthcare in a regional Irish prison and the proportion of individuals diverted subsequently from prison to psychiatric settings.

The multifaceted need set of those referred strengthens the argument for the provision of multidisciplinary mental healthcare into prisons. The analysis of security needs for those diverted from prisons supports the need for Intensive Care Regional Units in Ireland.

Griffin E, Bonner B, Dillon CB, O’Hagan D and Corcoran P (2019) European Journal of Public Health, Early online.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30361/

This study took an ecological approach to examine the association between area-level factors and rates of self-harm in Northern Ireland.

These findings indicate that self-harm rates are highest for those residing in highly deprived areas, where unemployment, crime and low level of education are challenges. Community interventions tailored to meet the needs of specific areas may be effective in reducing suicidal behaviour.

Maani Hessari N, van Schalkwyk MCI, Thomas S and Petticrew Mark (2019) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(5): 892.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30363/

We conducted a content analysis of the health information disseminated by AI [alcohol industry]-funded organisations through Twitter, compared with non-AI-funded charities, to assess whether their messages align with industry and/or public health objectives.

These findings are consistent with previous evidence that the purpose of such bodies is the protection of the alcohol market, and of the alcohol industry’s reputation. Their messaging strongly aligns with AI corporate social responsibility [CSR] goals. The focus away from health harms, particularly cancer, is also consistent with previous evidence. The evidence does not support claims by these alcohol-industry-funded bodies about their independence from industry.

Azzopardi PS, Hearps SJC, Francis KL, Kennedy EC, Mokdad AH, Kassebaum NJ, et. al (2019) Lancet, 393(10176): 1071–76.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30368/

Here, we present country-level estimates of 12 headline indicators from the Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing, from 1990 to 2016.

Although disease burden has fallen in many settings, demographic shifts have heightened global inequalities. Global disease burden has changed little since 1990 and the prevalence of many adolescent health risks have increased. Health, education, and legal systems have not kept pace with shifting adolescent needs and demographic changes. Gender inequity remains a powerful driver of poor adolescent health in many countries.

Stevens A (2019) International Journal of Drug Policy, 66: 94–99.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30392/

The aim of this paper was to test the validity and reliability of Shi et al.’s conclusion that the HBSC [Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children] data show an association between policy ‘liberalization’ and increased likelihood of adolescent cannabis use.

Using a larger and more theoretically relevant sample of the HBSC respondents and an improved statistical model shows that the HBSC data do not reveal a statistically significant association between policy ‘liberalization’ and higher odds of adolescent cannabis use.

Häuser W, Finn DP, Kalso E, Krcevski-Skvarc N, Kress HG, Morlion B, et al. (2018) European Journal of Pain, 22(9): 1547–64.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30410/

This position paper provides expert recommendations for nonspecialist and specialist healthcare professionals in Europe, on the importance and the appropriate use of cannabis-based medicines as part of a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, in properly selected and supervised patients.

McDonnell E (2019) Irish Medical Journal, 112(3): 899.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30373/

From a dual perspective as both a current medical student and practising community pharmacist, I note that codeine is an addiction that is often hidden under the guise of pain management, going unaddressed by both doctor and patient. Pain is a very common complaint in primary care settings in Ireland and the UK.

Martin T, Corcoran A, Canty N, Dillon J, O’Reilly P, O’Donnell G, et al. (2019) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Early online.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30377/

Mid-adolescence, that twilight era when the human child transitions to adulthood, is an often overlooked developmental age yet harbours a subpopulation of patients with their own myriad of medical problems somewhat unique to their age group.

The results highlight the most common presentations of this subgroup of patients, with trauma, in keeping with recent international data, being the most common presentation. The noted high frequency in the number of mental health/intoxication/self-harm presentations among the Irish teenagers in our region is consistent with trends reported in world literature and serves to emphasise one of the main challenges facing those working in paediatrics in Ireland over the next 10 years.

Lambert JS, Murtagh R, Menezes D, O’Carroll A, Murphy C, Cullen W, et al. (2019) BMC Infectious Diseases, 19(1): 128.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30408/

The HepCheck study sought to investigate and establish the characterisation of HCV burden among individuals who attended an intensified screening programme for HCV in homeless services in Dublin, Ireland.

This study demonstrates that the current hospital-based model of care is inadequate in addressing the specific needs of a homeless population and emphasises the need for a community-based treatment approach. Findings are intended to inform HepCare Europe in their development of a community-based model of care in order to engage with homeless individuals with multiple co-morbidities including substance abuse, who are affected by or infected with HCV.

Olioff J, O’Shea T, Horan A, Naughton AM and O’Brien D (2019) Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems, Early online.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30420/

This study aimed to assess the pregnancy history, contraceptive use and access to contraceptive services of women attending Cork-Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) for opioid replacement therapy. The need for a contraceptive service within the Addiction Services at CKCH was evaluated.

This study highlights the need to increase contraceptive services for women attending CKCH for opioid replacement therapy. Addiction services are ideal locations to also access contraceptive services because service-users already attend these clinics frequently for treatment, and thus have continuity of care with healthcare providers.

Cannon A, Nally F, Collins A, Fay R and Lyons S (2019) International Journal of Prisoner Health, 15(2): 105–113.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30318/

The purpose of this paper is to analyse trends in addiction treatment demand in prisons in Ireland from 2009 to 2014 using available national surveillance data in order to identify any implications for practice and policy.

This is the first study to analyse treatment episodes in prison using routine surveillance data in Ireland. Analysis of these data can provide useful information, not currently available elsewhere.

Reynolds CME, Egan B, Daly N, McKeating A, Sheehan SR and Turner MJ (2019) Journal of Public Health, Early online.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30260/

The adverse effects of smoking on neonatal outcomes, such as small-for-gestational-age (SGA), has been extensively studied; however, the consequences of smoking combined with alcohol and/or drug use is less clear.

Illicit drug use combined with maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes above that of smoking in isolation.

O’Keeffe A, Hayes B and Prihodova L (2019). BMC Public Health, 19(1): 179.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30293/

This study was conducted to assess the lifestyle behaviours of a national sample of hospital doctors working in Ireland. We also sought to compare the prevalence of these behaviours in doctors to the general Irish population.

While the prevalence of health behaviours amongst hospital doctors in Ireland compares favourably to the general population, their alcohol consumption and engagement in health enhancing physical activity suggest room for improvement. Continued health promotion and education on the importance of personal health behaviours is essential.

Pinxten WJL, Fitriana E, De Jong C, Klimas J, Tobin H, Barry T, et al. (2019) Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 99: 61–66.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30292/

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the addiction medicine AM-TNA Scale: an instrument specifically designed to develop the competence-based curriculum of the Indonesian AM course.

In our study the AM-TNA scale had a strong two-factor structure and proved to be a reliable and valid instrument. The next step should be the testing external validity, strengthening discriminant validity and assessing the re-test effect and measuring changes over time.

Miró O, Dargan PI, Wood DM, Dines AM, Yates C, Heyerdahl F, et al. (2019) Clinical Toxicology, 57(8): 718–26.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30207/

The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiology, clinical picture and emergency department (ED) management of a large series of patients who presented to European EDs after cocaine consumption, comparing data from powder (C₁ group) and crack (C₂ group) consumers.

Cocaine is commonly involved in European ED presentations with acute recreational drug toxicity, but there is variation across Europe not just in the involvement of cocaine but in the proportion related to powder versus crack. Some differences in clinical picture and ED management exist between powder cocaine and crack consumers.

Darcy C (2018) AMITY: The Journal of Friendship Studies, 5(1): 43–57.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30254/

Based on empirical sociological research, this article explores how some Irish men’s recreational use of illicit drugs, masculinities and friendship, interconnect. Drawing from in-depth interviews with twenty Irish men who identified as recreational users of illicit drugs, the article examines men’s drug taking within homosocial contexts as a friendship practice. By conceptualising masculinities as relational, socially constructed and fluid, the article examines social aspects of men’s drug taking as part of a pattern of gender practices used to establish, maintain and affirm men’s friendships. The findings of the research demonstrate men’s recreational use of illicit drugs forms part of the social practices of friendship among drug taking men, and men’s understandings of masculinity in turn influence these social practices.

Montanari L, Pirona A, Guarita B, Hedrich D, Mounteney J and Vicente J (2019) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Suppl 18: 139–151.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30226/

The article describes an epidemiological indicator called Treatment Demand Indicator (TDI). The TDI aims to provide professionals and researchers with a common European methodology for collecting and reporting core data on drug users in contact with treatment services. The article discusses the implementation of the TDI in the European countries and describes the main results, limitations, and future perspectives.

The TDI is the largest drug dataset in Europe, and its data is increasingly used in European and national data analysis. The use of a common drug-treatment-monitoring tool across a group of countries provides a useful instrument for policymakers, professionals, and managers working in the drug treatment field.

Witt K, Daly C, Arensman E, Pirkis J and Lubman D (2019) Journal of Affective Disorders, 245: 250–64.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30259/

The risk of self-harm repetition and suicide may be influenced by self-harm method choice. However, there are mixed findings regarding whether there is a discernible pattern in self-harm methods over successive episodes of non-fatal self-harm, and if so, how these may be associated with self-harm repetition and/or suicide.

Given the frequency of method switching observed, and the lack of discernible patterns over time, all patients should be routinely assessed for risk and needs irrespective of the method used at the index episode of non-fatal self-harm.

Quintyne KI and Kavanagh P (2019) Irish Medical Journal, 112(2): 867.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30258/

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the quality of methodological rigours and transparency used in guidelines for smoking cessation (for specific groups including: general adult population; persons with mental illness; and pregnant women).

Our findings have demonstrated higher scores among the most recent guidelines, reflecting improvement in the quality of guideline development over time. Methodology and editorial independence were particular concerns and this assessment also highlighted a need for contextualisation to the Irish healthcare system. In conclusion, the plan for Ireland is to adapt rather than simply adopt existing guidelines.

Burns A, Webb M, Stynes G, O’Brien T, Rohde D, Strawbridge J, et al. (2018) Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9: 670.

https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/30227/

This study aimed to review the implementation of a smoking cessation programme across 16 community mental health day services.

In conclusion, although this group-based cessation programme in community mental health settings was well-received overall, a number of key barriers persist. A joined-up approach which addresses the culture of smoking in mental health settings, inconsistencies in smoking policies, and provides consistent cessation support is needed. Care needs to be taken with the timing as overall it may not be helpful to introduce a new smoking cessation programme at the same time as a tobacco free policy.