NURSES’ EXPERIENCES OF CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH A DUAL DIAGNOSIS OF DEPRESSION AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN A GENERAL PSYCHIATRIC SETTING

   NURSES’ EXPERIENCES OF CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH A DUAL DIAGNOSIS OF DEPRESSION AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN A GENERAL PSYCHIATRIC SETTING, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Volume 28, Issue 10, 2007, Pages 1125 – 1140
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to describe mental psychiatric health nurses’ experiences of caring for persons with the dual [...]

Further evidence of an association between adolescent bipolar disorder with smoking and substance use disorders: A controlled study

Further evidence of an association between adolescent bipolar disorder with smoking and substance use disorders: A controlled study, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 95, Issue 3, Pages 187-288 (1 June 200
Abstract:  Although previous work suggests that juvenile onset bipolar disorder increases risk for substance use disorders and cigarette smoking, the literature on the [...]

Mindfulness Meditation for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: A Feasibility Pilot Study.

Mindfulness Meditation for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: A Feasibility Pilot Study.  Journal of Addiction Medicine. April 2008
Abstract:
Objectives: Meditation is a promising treatment for alcohol dependence. This 16-week prospective case series was designed to gather preliminary data about the efficacy of meditation for relapse prevention and to evaluate study methods feasibility.
Methods: Nineteen adult alcohol-dependent graduates of [...]

Dual Diagnosis - Perceptions of their new role and function

An investigation into the aspirations and experiences of newly appointed dual diagnosis workers,    Authors: MCLAUGHLIN, D. F.; SINES, D.; LONG, A.Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, Volume 15, Number 4, May 2008 , pp. 296-305
Abstract:  This qualitative, exploratory study was designed to explore a sample of eight recently appointed dual diagnosis workers’ (DDWs) perceptions of their new [...]

Risky drinking in North West school children and its consequences: A study of fifteen and sixteen year olds

Risky drinking in North West school children and its consequences: A study of fifteen and sixteen year olds Authors: Authors: Sara Hughes, Mark A. Bellis, Karen Hughes, Karen Tocque, Michela Morleo, Matt Hennessey, Linda Smallthwaite -
Abstract: Alcohol consumption has emerged as a key public health priority both in the UK and in Europe as a [...]

NICE - Promoting children’s social and emotional wellbeing in primary education

  Promoting children’s social and emotional wellbeing in primary education, 26 March 2008. NICE Public Health Guidance 12.
Abstract:
Aims: Children’s social and emotional wellbeing is important in its own right but also because it affects their physical health (both as a child and as an adult) and can determine how well they do at school. Good [...]

Schizophrenia & Cannabis

   Cannabis and schizophrenia: model projections of the impact of the rise in cannabis use on historical and future trends in schizophrenia in England and Wales , Addiction, Volume 102, Issue 4, Page 597-606, Apr 2007,
Abstract: Aims  To estimate long-term trends in cannabis use and projections of schizophrenia assuming a causal relation between cannabis use and [...]

Psychosis and Cannabis the Link

   The implications of recent findings on the link between cannabis and psychosis , Addiction, Volume 102, Issue 2, Page 173-176, Feb 2007 - Click above for full-text
Abstract: Recent studies have increased long-standing concerns that cannabis use can trigger or exacerbate psychosis and schizophrenia. Widely publicized, these findings have led to calls for tougher laws [...]

The 10 Most Frequently Read Journal Articles from Evidence Based Mental Health Journal

   These articles have received the most “hits” in Evidence-Based Mental Health during February 2008
There will be some full-text and some abstracts, just click on the links to find, if you only locate an abstract please email susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk to request the full-text.

1. 
Julie Glanville, Carol Lefebvre

Identifying systematic reviews: key resources

Evid. Based Ment. Health 2000; 3: 68-69.
(In [...]

FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER: AN OVERVIEW.

   FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER: AN OVERVIEW. Raja A S Mukherjee: S Hollins: J Turk. March 2007, JRSM, volume 99. 2006 pg 298-302, with permission from the Royal Society of Medicine Press, London.
Abstract: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is an umbrella term for a set of disorders caused by the consumption of alcohol by a [...]

Reducing Drug Risk - Reducing Reoffending

Reducing Drug Risk - Reducing Reoffending, March 2008
from the UK Drug Policy Commission considers whether the evidenceupports programmes in the UK for problem drug-using offenders in the criminal justice system (CJS).  It finds:

The principle of using CJS-based interventions to encourage engagement with treatment is supported by the evidence.
Following a period of expansion and a [...]

A Survey of Buprenorphine Misuse in Prisons

   A Survey of Buprenorphine Misuse in Prisons, Ministry of Justice, Prison Drugs Strategy Team, Interventions and Substance Misuse Unit, July 2007
Abstract:  Under MDT, prisoners are tested routinely for a panel of seven illegal drugs: amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, methadone and opiates. This panel of drugs comprises those that are most likely to be misused in [...]

Art Therapy - An evaluation study of art therapy provision in a residential Addiction Treatment Programme (ATP)

   An evaluation study of art therapy provision in a residential Addiction Treatment Programme (ATP) ,  Inscape, 2007, Vol.12 (1) 17 - 27
Abstract: This evaluation study explores art therapy provision in a residential addiction treatment programme. The study comprises a literature review followed by an empirical study. The literature review outlines the main theoretical writing [...]

Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives - Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities - 2008-2018 Strategy

   Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities, Home Office, 28th Feb. 2008
The Home Office has published the ten-year drug strategy (2008-201 for the UK. The drug strategy aims to restrict the supply of illegal drugs and reduce the demand for them. It focuses on protecting families and strengthening communities.
The four main strands of work are: 

protecting communities through robust [...]

Using to numb the pain: substance use and abuse among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.(Report).

Using to numb the pain: substance use and abuse among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.(Report).Journal of Mental Health Counseling 30.1 (Jan 2008): p31(18).
Abstract: The  purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between heterosexist events, internalized homophobia, and substance use and abuse among 824 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Participants completed the Schedule for Heterosexist Events [...]

Doctors Health - Mental Health and Ill Health in Doctors -

   Mental health and ill health in doctors, 20th February 2008, Department of Health
This publication sets out the findings and recommendations of the working group set up to consider what steps might make it less likely that doctors would suffer from mental ill health and easier for them to seek help early.
We know that many [...]

Cochrane Systematic Review - Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse

     Cochrane Systematic Review - Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse, 23rd January 2008
The authors looked at 25 RCTs but none provided compelling evidence that any one psychological therapy was better than another at reducing substance use by people with severe mental illnesses.

The Lancet - Cannabis Use and the Risk of Psychotic or Affective Mental Health

    ‘Cannabis use and risk of psychotic or affective mental health outcomes: a systematic review’ The Lancet (2007); 370:319-328. Authors: Theresa H M Moore, Stanley Zammit, Anne Lingford-Hughes, Thomas R E Barnes, Peter B Jones, Margaret Burke, Glyn Lewis

Summary
Background Whether cannabis can cause psychotic or aff ective symptoms that persist beyond transient intoxication is [...]

Educating Reefer - Cannabis & Psychosis Link

  Educating Reefer: effective health education and warnings on cannabis, February 2008, Rethink
A Rethink Campaigns report on cannabis research and the links to psychosis, recommending better education for the general public.
The evidence of a link between cannabis and psychosis has become increasingly well established in recent years, yet still almost one in four people believe [...]

Changing Habits - North West Dual Diagnosis Intelligence Report

     Changing Habits - North West Dual Diagnosis Intelligence Report, July 2007, CSIP
Emerging Findings — Access to Mental Health Treatment for Adults with Substance and/or Alcohol Misuse Problems
This report is on the treatment needs of individuals experiencing concurrent mental health, drug and/or alcohol related problems.  Readers are also encouraged to review the individual journey of [...]

Mental Health Videos To Watch from your Computer

  Todays presentation is brought to you by NHS Choices, 30th January 2008

It couldn’t be simpler, no getting in the car to Blockbuster, just click on the links below and you can watch the videos from your PC.  So pop the kettle on and make yourself comfy the film starts in 2 minutes. ..

Alcohol: Do you [...]

Men Drink More Alcohol than Women

    In a Press Release from the Office of National Statistics relating to the publication of

Smoking and drinking among adults 2006
Drinking: adults’ behaviour and knowledge in 2007

Key findings were:

Alcohol consumption in 2006 was higher in England and in Wales than in Scotland: 13.7 and 13.5 units a week, on average, respectively, compared with 11.6 units.

Men [...]

Drinking Places: Where people drink and why

    Drinking Places: Where people drink and why,  28th December 2007, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Summary Report, November 2007 
The recent relaxation of the licensing laws has focused attention on binge drinking by young people in public places. This study examined alcohol consumption in two contrasting geographical areas (one urban, one rural), including attitudes to and use of alcohol [...]

Safe, Sensible, Social & Alcohol

    Safe. Sensible. Social. Alcohol Strategy Local Implementation Toolkit, January 2008, from the Home Office, Department of Health, Department for Children, Schools and Families
Best Practice Guidance
This toolkit is a resource to help local teams develop strategies to address alcohol-related crime, ill health and other harm in line with Safe. Sensible. Social. The next steps in [...]

NICE Guideline: Drug Misuse

    NICE (2007) Drug misuse: Opioid detoxification.
NICE (2007) Drug misuse: Psychosocial interventions
NICE has produced two guidelines on drug misuse – ‘Drug misuse: psychosocial interventions’ (NICE clinical guideline 51) and ‘Drug misuse: opioid detoxification’ (NICE clinical guideline 52).
They cover:
• the support and treatment people can expect to be offered if they have a problem with or [...]

Tighten Alcohol Laws to Protect the Nations Health

A new report titled Public Health: Ethical Issues published today from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics has made headline news in the Guardian newspaper.
The government should consider making alcohol more expensive and reassess its 24-hour drinking laws to curb serious health problems related to excessive drinking, according to a group of experts.
In a review [...]

Health Protection Agency (2007) Shooting Up

Shooting Up  Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2006
An update: October 2007