Pub Date : 2022-08-31DOI: 10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0014
L. Dinc, Jemma Marzetti
Purpose Previous research have shown that individuals with high trait impulsivity are at high risk of engaging in problem alcohol use and that drinking motives differentially predicted alcohol use and problems. This study aimed to investigate whether these previously shown associations still existed during the global outbreak of the pandemic, COVID-19, which resulted in a long period of lockdown and raised concerns about the effects of alcohol. Design/methodology/approach The data was collected from 185 adults between ages of 18 and 35 during the lockdown period (November 20–May 21) through an online survey. Participants completed an impulsivity questionnaire, drinking motives and alcohol use measures. Findings The results revealed that enhancement and coping motives mediated the effects of positive and negative urgency, respectively, and lack of premeditation facet of impulsivity was directly linked to alcohol use. These findings are partially in line with the previous studies before the lockdown. Research limitations/implications Overall, individuals with particularly high urgency and premeditation maybe at high risk for problem alcohol use and may require tailored support for regulating emotions, particularly during stressful life events such as a global pandemic. Practical implications Findings may inform prevention and intervention strategies. Individuals with high trait urgency may benefit from more adaptive coping strategies such as learning specific emotion regulation strategies to minimise engaging in risk behaviours in stressful situations. Originality/value Findings suggest that traits positive and negative urgency are risk factors for alcohol use through enhancement and coping motives respectively, and these associations are particularly strong during stressful life events.
{"title":"Examination of drinking motives during the pandemic: mediating effects of drinking motives in the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol use","authors":"L. Dinc, Jemma Marzetti","doi":"10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0014","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Previous research have shown that individuals with high trait impulsivity are at high risk of engaging in problem alcohol use and that drinking motives differentially predicted alcohol use and problems. This study aimed to investigate whether these previously shown associations still existed during the global outbreak of the pandemic, COVID-19, which resulted in a long period of lockdown and raised concerns about the effects of alcohol.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000The data was collected from 185 adults between ages of 18 and 35 during the lockdown period (November 20–May 21) through an online survey. Participants completed an impulsivity questionnaire, drinking motives and alcohol use measures.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The results revealed that enhancement and coping motives mediated the effects of positive and negative urgency, respectively, and lack of premeditation facet of impulsivity was directly linked to alcohol use. These findings are partially in line with the previous studies before the lockdown.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000Overall, individuals with particularly high urgency and premeditation maybe at high risk for problem alcohol use and may require tailored support for regulating emotions, particularly during stressful life events such as a global pandemic.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000Findings may inform prevention and intervention strategies. Individuals with high trait urgency may benefit from more adaptive coping strategies such as learning specific emotion regulation strategies to minimise engaging in risk behaviours in stressful situations.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000Findings suggest that traits positive and negative urgency are risk factors for alcohol use through enhancement and coping motives respectively, and these associations are particularly strong during stressful life events.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90574826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-26DOI: 10.1108/dhs-10-2021-0055
J. Antoine, Michaël Hogge, Else De Donder, Geert Verstuyf, E. Plettinckx, L. Gremeaux
Purpose The opioid epidemic in the USA, the new psychoactive substances emerging on the market and the recent increase in cocaine treatment demands in Western Europe, all emphasise the importance of monitoring the use and harms of drugs over time. To be informed about new consumption patterns, this study aims to study the trends among people entering treatment for substance use in Belgium. Design/methodology/approach Belgian data from the Treatment Demand Indicator collected between 2015 and 2019 were used. A reference group of treatment units was selected to allow for comparisons between the different years. Trend analysis was performed by using a joinpoint regression among different regions and groups of clients. Findings The drugs of choice that were most frequently mentioned among the 23,000 analysed treatment episodes were alcohol and cannabis. Both remained relatively stable over time. Heroin seemed to be decreasing significantly at the national level, but increased in Brussels. Benzodiazepines decreased significantly in Flanders and Brussels, but not in Wallonia. On the other hand, reports of crack cocaine increased significantly in the three regions with a more pronounced trend in Wallonia and Brussels. Substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, ketamine or volatile inhalants have been mentioned significantly more by people entering treatment in 2019, although their contribution to the total number is still limited. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate trends for all drugs of choice at a national and regional level. These results might not only benefit national policymakers but also other countries with similar alcohol or drug use patterns.
{"title":"Which drugs of choice are on the rise or in decline? A trend analysis of Belgium’s treatment settings (2015-2019)","authors":"J. Antoine, Michaël Hogge, Else De Donder, Geert Verstuyf, E. Plettinckx, L. Gremeaux","doi":"10.1108/dhs-10-2021-0055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-10-2021-0055","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000The opioid epidemic in the USA, the new psychoactive substances emerging on the market and the recent increase in cocaine treatment demands in Western Europe, all emphasise the importance of monitoring the use and harms of drugs over time. To be informed about new consumption patterns, this study aims to study the trends among people entering treatment for substance use in Belgium.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000Belgian data from the Treatment Demand Indicator collected between 2015 and 2019 were used. A reference group of treatment units was selected to allow for comparisons between the different years. Trend analysis was performed by using a joinpoint regression among different regions and groups of clients.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The drugs of choice that were most frequently mentioned among the 23,000 analysed treatment episodes were alcohol and cannabis. Both remained relatively stable over time. Heroin seemed to be decreasing significantly at the national level, but increased in Brussels. Benzodiazepines decreased significantly in Flanders and Brussels, but not in Wallonia. On the other hand, reports of crack cocaine increased significantly in the three regions with a more pronounced trend in Wallonia and Brussels. Substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, ketamine or volatile inhalants have been mentioned significantly more by people entering treatment in 2019, although their contribution to the total number is still limited.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate trends for all drugs of choice at a national and regional level. These results might not only benefit national policymakers but also other countries with similar alcohol or drug use patterns.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80638434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-18DOI: 10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0013
D. Elling, Martina Wilson Martinez, Kristina Sundqvist
Purpose An alcohol prevention programme, consisting of the implementation of an organisational alcohol policy and skills development training for managers, was delivered in Swedish workplaces. Previous findings revealed challenges in policy implementation because of the lack of dissemination amongst managers. This study aims to describe perceived dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy by managers. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey (n = 193 managers) was performed to identify common dissemination barriers in the workplace and complementary case illustrations derived from semi-structured interviews (n = 18 managers) were used to understand the dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy. Frequency distributions were presented to describe common perceived barriers. Findings Sixty-five per cent of managers reported that their workplace had not changed their approach to addressing alcohol-related issues compared to their usual practice before programme delivery. Various organisational factors, such as deprioritisation of programme dissemination, lack of communication and inadequate strategies were some of the common barriers perceived by managers. Moreover, managers reported uncertainties regarding any changes concerning the workplace’s approach for addressing alcohol-related issues. Increased efforts in disseminating the organisational alcohol policy can reduce uncertainties among managers. Practical implications A thorough process evaluation to understand processes in programme delivery and implementation is necessary to ensure the uptake of the intervention. Originality/value This study highlighted the complexity of disseminating an alcohol policy in a dynamic setting, such as the workplace, and provided the importance of addressing organisational obstacles.
{"title":"Perceived barriers in the dissemination of an organisational alcohol policy as part of implementing an alcohol prevention programme among managers","authors":"D. Elling, Martina Wilson Martinez, Kristina Sundqvist","doi":"10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0013","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000An alcohol prevention programme, consisting of the implementation of an organisational alcohol policy and skills development training for managers, was delivered in Swedish workplaces. Previous findings revealed challenges in policy implementation because of the lack of dissemination amongst managers. This study aims to describe perceived dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy by managers.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A cross-sectional survey (n = 193 managers) was performed to identify common dissemination barriers in the workplace and complementary case illustrations derived from semi-structured interviews (n = 18 managers) were used to understand the dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy. Frequency distributions were presented to describe common perceived barriers.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000Sixty-five per cent of managers reported that their workplace had not changed their approach to addressing alcohol-related issues compared to their usual practice before programme delivery. Various organisational factors, such as deprioritisation of programme dissemination, lack of communication and inadequate strategies were some of the common barriers perceived by managers. Moreover, managers reported uncertainties regarding any changes concerning the workplace’s approach for addressing alcohol-related issues. Increased efforts in disseminating the organisational alcohol policy can reduce uncertainties among managers.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000A thorough process evaluation to understand processes in programme delivery and implementation is necessary to ensure the uptake of the intervention.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study highlighted the complexity of disseminating an alcohol policy in a dynamic setting, such as the workplace, and provided the importance of addressing organisational obstacles.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90964656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-17DOI: 10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0006
M. Barratt, S. Bright, Ash R. Blackwell
Purpose Following deaths and hospitalisations in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, related to the unwitting consumption of a combination of 25C-NBOMe and 4-FA, a community-led unauthorised drug checking service was rapidly established at a subsequent music festival. We aim to demonstrate the value of community-led drug checking, even when conducted in less-than-ideal conditions, by describing this service and reporting on its outcomes. Design/methodology/approach In all, 131 samples were tested with between 1 and 4 (M = 2.24 and SD = 0.61) reagents (Mandelin, Marquis, Mecke and Simons), and behavioural intentions of service users were reported. Findings People whose results indicated that the drug tested was what they expected, or was a drug familiar to them, were more likely to report an intention to take the drug compared to those whose results indicated that the drug was not what they had expected. For example, in 11 cases where the expected substance was not identified and novel substances including 2 C-X (including the NBOMe series), methylone, mephedrone, PMA and MXE were indicated, most reported an intention to discard (8/11). Practical implications The guerrilla service appeared to dissuade some people from consuming substances with higher risk profiles. It was also quick to identify substances of concern consistent with the NBOMe/4-FA combination for broader community action. The authors urge governments in Australia and elsewhere to reconsider their opposition to drug checking services, given their utility as vital health services during times of volatile drug market shifts. Originality/value While these data are five years old, it has only been in the past year that the Coroners Court of Victoria finalised their report on the deaths associated with this drug outbreak, providing context for the rapid peer response.
{"title":"Community-led guerrilla drug checking in response to deaths from adulterated MDMA in Victoria, Australia","authors":"M. Barratt, S. Bright, Ash R. Blackwell","doi":"10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0006","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Following deaths and hospitalisations in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, related to the unwitting consumption of a combination of 25C-NBOMe and 4-FA, a community-led unauthorised drug checking service was rapidly established at a subsequent music festival. We aim to demonstrate the value of community-led drug checking, even when conducted in less-than-ideal conditions, by describing this service and reporting on its outcomes.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000In all, 131 samples were tested with between 1 and 4 (M = 2.24 and SD = 0.61) reagents (Mandelin, Marquis, Mecke and Simons), and behavioural intentions of service users were reported.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000People whose results indicated that the drug tested was what they expected, or was a drug familiar to them, were more likely to report an intention to take the drug compared to those whose results indicated that the drug was not what they had expected. For example, in 11 cases where the expected substance was not identified and novel substances including 2 C-X (including the NBOMe series), methylone, mephedrone, PMA and MXE were indicated, most reported an intention to discard (8/11).\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000The guerrilla service appeared to dissuade some people from consuming substances with higher risk profiles. It was also quick to identify substances of concern consistent with the NBOMe/4-FA combination for broader community action. The authors urge governments in Australia and elsewhere to reconsider their opposition to drug checking services, given their utility as vital health services during times of volatile drug market shifts.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000While these data are five years old, it has only been in the past year that the Coroners Court of Victoria finalised their report on the deaths associated with this drug outbreak, providing context for the rapid peer response.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"46 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82688911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-15DOI: 10.1108/dhs-09-2021-0053
M. Usman, Enu Anand, S. Akhtar, Srikanth Reddy Umenthala, Tarique Anwar, S. Unisa
Purpose Alcohol and tobacco consumption are significant public health concerns and considered some of the riskiest behaviors among students. Despite strong indications of heavy consumption of these substances, certain sections of the student population remain unexplored regarding their consumption patterns and associated factors, including research scholars pursuing Doctor of Philosophy degrees. This study aims to explore the patterns and correlations of consumption of alcohol and tobacco among doctoral students in three Indian universities. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 530 scholars from three central universities, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University and Jawahar Lal Nehru University, and focused on two substances (alcohol and tobacco) frequently used by students in India. Bi-variate analysis and penalized logistic regressions were applied to analyse the prevalence and associated factors of alcohol, smoking and smokeless tobacco among doctoral students. Findings Tobacco consumption was observed to be the dominant form of substance use among doctoral students. Findings revealed that 34% of scholars smoked and 25% consumed smokeless tobacco daily and around 14% consumed alcohol at least once a week. Major significant correlates of substance consumption among scholars were found to be gender, religion, parental mortality, dissatisfaction with academic performance and stress about future career/employment. Significant variation in substance use patterns was observed among universities. Originality/value This study provides first-hand evidence on substance use patterns and the correlates among doctoral students in three Indian universities. Findings indicate the implementation of specific intervention programs for mental health and counselling for this section of students to prevent substance use addiction would be beneficial.
{"title":"Prevalence and correlates of alcohol and tobacco consumption among research scholars: evidence from a cross-sectional survey of three Indian universities","authors":"M. Usman, Enu Anand, S. Akhtar, Srikanth Reddy Umenthala, Tarique Anwar, S. Unisa","doi":"10.1108/dhs-09-2021-0053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-09-2021-0053","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Alcohol and tobacco consumption are significant public health concerns and considered some of the riskiest behaviors among students. Despite strong indications of heavy consumption of these substances, certain sections of the student population remain unexplored regarding their consumption patterns and associated factors, including research scholars pursuing Doctor of Philosophy degrees. This study aims to explore the patterns and correlations of consumption of alcohol and tobacco among doctoral students in three Indian universities.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 530 scholars from three central universities, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University and Jawahar Lal Nehru University, and focused on two substances (alcohol and tobacco) frequently used by students in India. Bi-variate analysis and penalized logistic regressions were applied to analyse the prevalence and associated factors of alcohol, smoking and smokeless tobacco among doctoral students.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000Tobacco consumption was observed to be the dominant form of substance use among doctoral students. Findings revealed that 34% of scholars smoked and 25% consumed smokeless tobacco daily and around 14% consumed alcohol at least once a week. Major significant correlates of substance consumption among scholars were found to be gender, religion, parental mortality, dissatisfaction with academic performance and stress about future career/employment. Significant variation in substance use patterns was observed among universities.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study provides first-hand evidence on substance use patterns and the correlates among doctoral students in three Indian universities. Findings indicate the implementation of specific intervention programs for mental health and counselling for this section of students to prevent substance use addiction would be beneficial.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91251459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-21DOI: 10.1108/dhs-12-2021-0065
Sotiris Lainas, C. Kouimtsidis
Purpose Evidence suggests that the percentage of men seeking treatment for substance use disorders and other addictive behaviours is significantly higher than that of women. This fact raises several crucial questions concerning the field of addictions. This paper aims to emphasize to the study of addiction in the light of gender studies and especially in the light of theories of dominant/hegemonic masculinity. Design/methodology/approach The perspective of dominant/hegemonic masculinity in the field of addictions raises a number of questions: Can the dominant/hegemonic masculinity perspective contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of addiction? What are the implications of male-dominated and male-centred treatment services on meeting the needs of other populations? Are androcentric approaches ultimately helpful for heteronormative men? This paper investigates the emerging questions through a critical review of the literature including the disciplines of psychology, sociology and anthropology. Findings The perspective of hegemonic masculinity can make an important contribution to the understanding of addiction as it sheds light on a dimension that is not well researched and used in the field of addictions. The influences of the androcentric approach to addiction treatment are significant and pose problems both in accessing and serving the needs of other populations. The androcentric approach to treatment is not helpful for heteronormative men either as there is a risk of not addressing the toxic dimensions of dominant/hegemonic masculinity that are directly linked to the problem of addiction. Research limitations/implications This paper poses interesting research questions for further research in the field. Practical implications This paper raises important issues for practitioners in the field and at the same time suggests alternative perspectives on the interpretation and treatment of addiction. Social implications The gender perspective that should further enrich psychosocial interventions is crucial for the equal access of all people with an addiction problem to appropriate support structures. Originality/value Gender studies can make an important contribution to further understanding of addiction problems and to the development of effective practices for dealing with it. The fact that in substance abuse treatment programmes the vast majority of participants are heteronormative men raises a number of concerns. These concerns relate to the extent to which structures are directed at meeting the needs of these men and whether because of this orientation the needs of other populations such as heteronormative women and those who do not meet the norms of heteronormativity are left uncovered. These concerns are linked to broader considerations of the role that dominant/hegemonic masculinity plays in the aetiology of addiction and in creating barriers to help-seeking for heteronormative men themselves.
{"title":"Approaching the field of addictions through the lens of the gender perspective: emerging issues","authors":"Sotiris Lainas, C. Kouimtsidis","doi":"10.1108/dhs-12-2021-0065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-12-2021-0065","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Evidence suggests that the percentage of men seeking treatment for substance use disorders and other addictive behaviours is significantly higher than that of women. This fact raises several crucial questions concerning the field of addictions. This paper aims to emphasize to the study of addiction in the light of gender studies and especially in the light of theories of dominant/hegemonic masculinity.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000The perspective of dominant/hegemonic masculinity in the field of addictions raises a number of questions: Can the dominant/hegemonic masculinity perspective contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of addiction? What are the implications of male-dominated and male-centred treatment services on meeting the needs of other populations? Are androcentric approaches ultimately helpful for heteronormative men? This paper investigates the emerging questions through a critical review of the literature including the disciplines of psychology, sociology and anthropology.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The perspective of hegemonic masculinity can make an important contribution to the understanding of addiction as it sheds light on a dimension that is not well researched and used in the field of addictions. The influences of the androcentric approach to addiction treatment are significant and pose problems both in accessing and serving the needs of other populations. The androcentric approach to treatment is not helpful for heteronormative men either as there is a risk of not addressing the toxic dimensions of dominant/hegemonic masculinity that are directly linked to the problem of addiction.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000This paper poses interesting research questions for further research in the field.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000This paper raises important issues for practitioners in the field and at the same time suggests alternative perspectives on the interpretation and treatment of addiction.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000The gender perspective that should further enrich psychosocial interventions is crucial for the equal access of all people with an addiction problem to appropriate support structures.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000Gender studies can make an important contribution to further understanding of addiction problems and to the development of effective practices for dealing with it. The fact that in substance abuse treatment programmes the vast majority of participants are heteronormative men raises a number of concerns. These concerns relate to the extent to which structures are directed at meeting the needs of these men and whether because of this orientation the needs of other populations such as heteronormative women and those who do not meet the norms of heteronormativity are left uncovered. These concerns are linked to broader considerations of the role that dominant/hegemonic masculinity plays in the aetiology of addiction and in creating barriers to help-seeking for heteronormative men themselves.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"46 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77541970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-08DOI: 10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0005
Bruce Wallace, Lea Gozdzialski, Abdelhakim Qbaich, A. Shafiul, Piotr Burek, Abby Hutchison, T. Teal, Rebecca Louw, C. Kielty, Derek Robinson, B. Moa, M. Storey, C. Gill, Dennis K. Hore
Purpose While there is increasing interest in implementing drug checking within overdose prevention, we must also consider how to scale-up these responses so that they have significant reach and impact for people navigating the unpredictable and increasingly complex drug supplies linked to overdose. The purpose of this paper is to present a distributed model of community drug checking that addresses multiple barriers to increasing the reach of drug checking as a response to the illicit drug overdose crisis. Design/methodology/approach A detailed description of the key components of a distributed model of community drug checking is provided. This includes an integrated software platform that links a multi-instrument, multi-site service design with online service options, a foundational database that provides storage and reporting functions and a community of practice to facilitate engagement and capacity building. Findings The distributed model diminishes the need for technicians at multiple sites while still providing point-of-care results with local harm reduction engagement and access to confirmatory testing online and in localized reporting. It also reduces the need for training in the technical components of drug checking (e.g. interpreting spectra) for harm reduction workers. Moreover, its real-time reporting capability keeps communities informed about the crisis. Sites are additionally supported by a community of practice. Originality/value This paper presents innovations in drug checking technologies and service design that attempt to overcome current financial and technical barriers towards scaling-up services to a more equitable and impactful level and effectively linking multiple urban and rural communities to report concentration levels for substances most linked to overdose.
{"title":"A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking","authors":"Bruce Wallace, Lea Gozdzialski, Abdelhakim Qbaich, A. Shafiul, Piotr Burek, Abby Hutchison, T. Teal, Rebecca Louw, C. Kielty, Derek Robinson, B. Moa, M. Storey, C. Gill, Dennis K. Hore","doi":"10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0005","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000While there is increasing interest in implementing drug checking within overdose prevention, we must also consider how to scale-up these responses so that they have significant reach and impact for people navigating the unpredictable and increasingly complex drug supplies linked to overdose. The purpose of this paper is to present a distributed model of community drug checking that addresses multiple barriers to increasing the reach of drug checking as a response to the illicit drug overdose crisis.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A detailed description of the key components of a distributed model of community drug checking is provided. This includes an integrated software platform that links a multi-instrument, multi-site service design with online service options, a foundational database that provides storage and reporting functions and a community of practice to facilitate engagement and capacity building.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The distributed model diminishes the need for technicians at multiple sites while still providing point-of-care results with local harm reduction engagement and access to confirmatory testing online and in localized reporting. It also reduces the need for training in the technical components of drug checking (e.g. interpreting spectra) for harm reduction workers. Moreover, its real-time reporting capability keeps communities informed about the crisis. Sites are additionally supported by a community of practice.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This paper presents innovations in drug checking technologies and service design that attempt to overcome current financial and technical barriers towards scaling-up services to a more equitable and impactful level and effectively linking multiple urban and rural communities to report concentration levels for substances most linked to overdose.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"88 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85596652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-20DOI: 10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0012
Ana Ning, R. Csiernik
Purpose Critical analyses of health policies and practices may appear to lack practicality during unprecedented times that demand immediate solutions. This paper aims to use critical social science theories to help improve essential service delivery during a public health crisis. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on qualitative content analysis of government and scholarly sources between 2008 and 2021 to identify strengths and gaps underlying the Canadian Federal Government’s evidence-based solutions to the opioid death crisis. Key questions examined are: What constitutes best-evidence practices underlying the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy?, Is biomedical evidence the only legitimate framework to substantiate feasible interventions? and Because the opioid death crisis affects disproportionately vulnerable populations, what is the potential merit of considering diverse knowledges and practices as valid forms of intervention despite lacking biomedical evidence bases? Findings While overdose reversing drugs, drug replacement approaches, biologically focused harm reduction options and pharmacological regulatory and surveillance initiatives help reduce premature opioid-related morbidity and mortality across provinces, this study’s findings demonstrate that these individualizing, biomedical magic bullets are temporary solutions, not comprehensive plans to solve a societal problem. This study’s theoretically informed analysis shows that the Canadian Federal Government responses detract attention from issues of social justice, social inequities and the biomedical dominance of health care as broader forces of the opioid death crisis. To address these analytical omissions, broader evidence-based solutions must build upon meaningful intraventions, the insiders’ perspectives or voices of the afflicted communities alongside meaningful interventions – going beyond distal, clinical-based and proximal, home-based interventions. Originality/value By highlighting the biomedical and social embeddings of the opioid death crisis, this study underscores structural conditions rather than individuals’ physical bodies as the catalysts for change. A deeper theoretical understanding of why certain issues exists, as they do and how they occur, can provide the basis for prediction of their (re)occurrence and for informing meaningful intervention efforts.
{"title":"Canadian government discourses on the overdose death crisis: limitations of a bio-evidenced approach","authors":"Ana Ning, R. Csiernik","doi":"10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0012","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Critical analyses of health policies and practices may appear to lack practicality during unprecedented times that demand immediate solutions. This paper aims to use critical social science theories to help improve essential service delivery during a public health crisis.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000This study is based on qualitative content analysis of government and scholarly sources between 2008 and 2021 to identify strengths and gaps underlying the Canadian Federal Government’s evidence-based solutions to the opioid death crisis. Key questions examined are: What constitutes best-evidence practices underlying the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy?, Is biomedical evidence the only legitimate framework to substantiate feasible interventions? and Because the opioid death crisis affects disproportionately vulnerable populations, what is the potential merit of considering diverse knowledges and practices as valid forms of intervention despite lacking biomedical evidence bases?\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000While overdose reversing drugs, drug replacement approaches, biologically focused harm reduction options and pharmacological regulatory and surveillance initiatives help reduce premature opioid-related morbidity and mortality across provinces, this study’s findings demonstrate that these individualizing, biomedical magic bullets are temporary solutions, not comprehensive plans to solve a societal problem. This study’s theoretically informed analysis shows that the Canadian Federal Government responses detract attention from issues of social justice, social inequities and the biomedical dominance of health care as broader forces of the opioid death crisis. To address these analytical omissions, broader evidence-based solutions must build upon meaningful intraventions, the insiders’ perspectives or voices of the afflicted communities alongside meaningful interventions – going beyond distal, clinical-based and proximal, home-based interventions.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000By highlighting the biomedical and social embeddings of the opioid death crisis, this study underscores structural conditions rather than individuals’ physical bodies as the catalysts for change. A deeper theoretical understanding of why certain issues exists, as they do and how they occur, can provide the basis for prediction of their (re)occurrence and for informing meaningful intervention efforts.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87126292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-17DOI: 10.1108/dhs-04-2021-0021
C. Notley, B. Houghton, V. Maskrey, R. Holland, A. Lingford-Hughes, B. Punukollu, T. Duka, C. Kouimtsidis
Purpose Dependent alcohol use is a severe addictive disorder with significant enduring consequences for health and social functioning. This study aims to inductively explore the process of identity change for alcohol dependent people progressing through a “pre-habilitation” intervention, alcohol detoxification and post-detoxification recovery support. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative study as a part of a process evaluation situated within a UK feasibility trial of a group-based intervention in preparation for structured alcohol detoxification. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (face-to-face or telephone) collected self-reported data on experiences of treatment provision as part of the feasibility trial. Thematic analysis of transcripts and iterative categorisation of identity-related themes and concepts was conducted with verification of analysis undertaken by a second coder. Findings Identity change was revealed in participant narratives around the meta themes of external (social-identity) and internal (self-identity) concepts. External influences impacting social identity were key, having influenced initiation into alcohol use, influencing acceptance of the stigmatised “alcoholic” label and then being central to the treatment journey. Internal influences on self-identity also impacted on the process of identity change. In recovery, there was hope in discovering a new “normal” identity or rediscovering normality. Originality/value Analysis demonstrates that moving from regular alcohol use to problematic use is a journey of identity change that is influenced at the macro (cultural), meso (group) and micro (relational) social levels. Throughout the treatment journey, social influences in gaining a new non-drinker identity are key. Findings suggest a need for long-term support through treatment and community-based groups specifically to foster positive identity change that may not have been addressed previously.
{"title":"An exploration of identity change in post-detoxification alcohol dependent individuals","authors":"C. Notley, B. Houghton, V. Maskrey, R. Holland, A. Lingford-Hughes, B. Punukollu, T. Duka, C. Kouimtsidis","doi":"10.1108/dhs-04-2021-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-04-2021-0021","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Dependent alcohol use is a severe addictive disorder with significant enduring consequences for health and social functioning. This study aims to inductively explore the process of identity change for alcohol dependent people progressing through a “pre-habilitation” intervention, alcohol detoxification and post-detoxification recovery support.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000Qualitative study as a part of a process evaluation situated within a UK feasibility trial of a group-based intervention in preparation for structured alcohol detoxification. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (face-to-face or telephone) collected self-reported data on experiences of treatment provision as part of the feasibility trial. Thematic analysis of transcripts and iterative categorisation of identity-related themes and concepts was conducted with verification of analysis undertaken by a second coder.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000Identity change was revealed in participant narratives around the meta themes of external (social-identity) and internal (self-identity) concepts. External influences impacting social identity were key, having influenced initiation into alcohol use, influencing acceptance of the stigmatised “alcoholic” label and then being central to the treatment journey. Internal influences on self-identity also impacted on the process of identity change. In recovery, there was hope in discovering a new “normal” identity or rediscovering normality.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000Analysis demonstrates that moving from regular alcohol use to problematic use is a journey of identity change that is influenced at the macro (cultural), meso (group) and micro (relational) social levels. Throughout the treatment journey, social influences in gaining a new non-drinker identity are key. Findings suggest a need for long-term support through treatment and community-based groups specifically to foster positive identity change that may not have been addressed previously.\u0000","PeriodicalId":72849,"journal":{"name":"Drugs, habits and social policy","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76490891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-04-20DOI: 10.1108/dhs-07-2021-0034
Iain McPhee, B. Sheridan, A. Horne, Stephen J. Keenan, Fiona Houston
Purpose This study aims to provide data on substance use amongst young people in Scotland to inform policy and practice for an age group who generally do not access specialist alcohol and drug services. The main objectives of the study were to assess the problem severity scores of items from a modified version of the DAST-10 brief screening instrument among respondents; examine correlations between a range of variables in relation to DAST-10 problem severity scores; and explore respondent knowledge of how and where to seek help. Design/methodology/approach A fixed quantitative design methodology recruited a non-probability sample of 4,501 respondents from an online survey made available by “We are With you” Scotland. The survey was ethically approved by the School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland. It consisted of 32 questions exploring substances used within the past 12 months, and 12 weeks, and included the DAST-10. We further explored help seeking, and knowledge of support available to respondents. Findings Substance use patterns were markedly different from people currently known to specialist alcohol and drug services. Over half of respondents were under 25, and 62% report being employed. The most commonly used substances were cannabis and cocaine. One third of respondents recorded substantial or severe problem severity scores and reside in Scottish Local Authorities with high concentrations of socio-economic inequality. Secure accommodation, stable relationships and being employed are protective factors in relation to reported negative health consequences associated with problem substance use. Just under one third (27%) of respondents report knowing where to seek help for substance use problems; however, they are unwilling to attend existing specialist alcohol and drug services. Research limitations/implications A non-probability sample of the Scottish population has a potential for response bias due to how and what way the survey was made available to respondents. It is acknowledged that while useful as a method of generating drug use data, there are limitations in how recently the substance use occurred, and in relation to the types of substances reported (cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy). Practical implications The study provides data to inform wider public health measures in relation to accessing support and addressing societal discrimination associated with the use of substances. The study provides data on service design for young people who do not access specialist alcohol and drug services. Social implications The study informs substance use policy in the Scottish context in relation to a population of young people who use licit and illicit substances. Data contributes to evidence supporting correlations between problematic substance use and socio-economic inequality. Data indicates that existing specialist services require redesign. Originality/value The study is the first to be conducte
目的:本研究旨在提供关于苏格兰年轻人药物使用情况的数据，为通常无法获得专业酒精和药物服务的年龄组的政策和实践提供信息。本研究的主要目的是评估被调查者中修改版本的DAST-10简短筛选工具项目的问题严重程度得分;检查与DAST-10问题严重程度评分相关的一系列变量之间的相关性;探究被访者如何以及在哪里寻求帮助的知识。设计/方法/方法一种固定的定量设计方法从苏格兰“We are With you”提供的在线调查中招募了4,501名非概率样本。这项调查得到了西苏格兰大学教育与社会科学学院的道德认可。它由32个问题组成，探讨了过去12个月和12周内使用的物质，其中包括DAST-10。我们进一步探讨了寻求帮助，以及受访者可获得的支持知识。药物使用模式与目前专业酒精和药物服务机构所知的人明显不同。超过一半的受访者年龄在25岁以下，62%的受访者有工作。最常用的物质是大麻和可卡因。三分之一的受访者记录了大量或严重的问题严重性得分，并居住在社会经济不平等高度集中的苏格兰地方当局。安全的住所、稳定的关系和就业是与所报告的与问题药物使用有关的负面健康后果有关的保护因素。不到三分之一(27%)的答复者报告知道在药物使用问题上到哪里寻求帮助;然而，他们不愿意参加现有的专业酒精和药物服务。研究局限性/含义由于向受访者提供调查的方式和方式，苏格兰人口的非概率样本可能存在反应偏差。人们承认，虽然作为产生药物使用数据的一种方法是有用的，但在药物使用发生的最近时间以及所报告的物质类型(大麻、可卡因和摇头丸)方面存在局限性。实际意义该研究提供了数据，为更广泛的公共卫生措施提供信息，以获取支持和解决与使用药物有关的社会歧视问题。该研究提供了针对无法获得专业酒精和药物服务的年轻人的服务设计数据。社会影响该研究为苏格兰背景下使用合法和非法药物的年轻人群体提供了药物使用政策。数据为支持问题物质使用与社会经济不平等之间的相关性提供了证据。数据表明，现有的专家服务需要重新设计。该研究是第一个在苏格兰背景下进行的研究。
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