DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW

More pubs-More problems? A longitudinal analysis of Swedish panel data
Norström T, Nilsson T and Svensson J
The aim of the study is to estimate the association between bar density and nighttime emergency calls to the police.
Australian psychologists' attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted therapy and training following a world-first drug down-scheduling
Negrine JJ, Puljević C, Ferris J, Liknaitzky P, Perlman C and Piatkowski T
This study explores the attitudes of psychologists towards psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) following the world-first regulatory changes in 2023 in Australia which permitted psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) to be used in clinical services.
Childhood traumatic experiences and vaping among Australian adolescents: A prospective investigation
Rowe AL, O'Dean SM, Champion KE, Barrett EL, Grummitt L, Mills KL, Teesson M, Newton NC and Gardner LA
Childhood traumatic experiences (CTE) have been identified as a robust risk factor for a range of substance use behaviours. However, little is known about their association with adolescent vaping. We explored prospective associations between CTEs and vaping among a sample of Australian adolescents.
Drinking practices: The variation of drinking events across intersections of sex, age and household income
Meier PS, Holmes J, Stevely A, Boyd JE, Alava MH, Hardie I, Warde A and Sasso A
Investigations of drinking practices often rely on cross-country comparisons of population averages in beverage preferences, drinking volumes and frequencies. Here, we investigate within-culture patterns and variations in where, why and how people drink, answering the research question: how does engagement in drinking practices vary by sex, age and household income?
A chance for countries to support Ireland's world-leading cancer warning labels for alcohol containers
O'Brien P, Gleeson D, Kuntsche E and Room R
Ireland has regulated for all packaged alcohol products to include a health warning that states that 'there is a link between alcohol and fatal cancers'. This warning is being opposed in the World Trade Organization by 12 member states who are raising that the warning is an unnecessary barrier to trade. The World Health Organization is supporting Ireland. Countries should not oppose Ireland's warning which is defensible from legal and public health perspectives.
Hazardous drinking by age at migration and duration of residence among migrants in Sweden
Berg L, Juárez SP, Honkaniemi H, Rostila M and Dunlavy A
Sweden, with its history of restrictive alcohol policies and a large and diverse migrant population, constitutes an interesting context for studies on alcohol consumption patterns in migrant groups. This study examines how hazardous drinking among migrants in Sweden varies by origin, duration of residence and age at migration.
The impact of an integrated alcohol policy: The example of Lithuania
Rehm J, Lange S, Miščikienė L and Jiang H
Although integrated alcohol policies, characterised by being consistent, structurally connected and interdependent, are considered to be best practices, very few evaluations of such policies exist. We evaluated the impact of two phases of integrated alcohol policies implemented in Lithuania in 2008/2009 and 2017/2018 on adult (15+ years of age) alcohol per capita consumption.
New immersive alcohol marketing and commerce in metaverse environments
Huckle T, Mummert K, Lyons A, McCreanor T, McLellan G and Moewaka Barnes H
The study aims are to: (i) explore methods for identifying alcohol company marketing in metaverses; (ii) identify current types of alcohol marketing in metaverses; and (iii) identify dominant portrayals and meanings of alcohol marketing in these settings.
University-based academic programs in addiction studies in the regions of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand: An overview
Lososová A, Adams P and Miovský M
Current trends in the addiction field reflect a significant emphasis on the workforce development and education. There are already some data about university-based addiction studies programs, but not much from Australasia.
Impact of 'street' benzodiazepines on drug-related deaths in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Rock KL, Frinculescu A, Shine T, Kalk NJ and Copeland CS
'Street' benzodiazepines (BZD) are structurally and pharmacologically related to BZDs licensed for human use. In this study we investigated how street BZDs contribute to overall BZD use and death prevalences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The impact of Scotland's minimum unit pricing for alcohol policy on people accessing services for alcohol dependence: A difference-in-difference structured interview study
Buykx P, Perkins A, Hughes J, Livingston W, Boyd J, Perman-Howe P, Johnston A, McCarthy T, McLean A, Wright A, Little S and Holmes J
A minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol of £0.50 per unit (1 UK unit = 10 mL/8 g alcohol) was introduced in Scotland in May 2018. Few previous studies have examined the impact of alcohol pricing policies on people who are alcohol dependent. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MUP on people who are alcohol dependent including changes in alcohol consumption and health status, as well as potential unintended consequences.
Examining the association between psychological resilience and chronic versus discrete stressors among individuals who use opioids in Baltimore, Maryland
Sisson LN, Tomko C, Rouhani S and Sherman SG
Psychological resilience has emerged as a key construct of interest in the study of substance use. However, very few studies have examined resilience among individuals who are actively using drugs. Furthermore, many studies of psychological resilience have focused on individual-level factors. This study addresses the call for a more 'ecological' approach to the study of resilience by exploring how socio-structural vulnerabilities may shape individuals' assessment of their own ability to cope.
Consuming 'God Juice': Using 'ethnopharmacological-connoisseurship' to situate trenbolone use and knowledge among image and performance enhancing drug communities
Piatkowski T, Gibbs N, Neumann D and Dunn M
Trenbolone, a potent anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS), is used for its muscle growth benefits but poses significant health risks, including psychosocial issues. Existing research among humans is limited by lack of targeted investigation. This study addresses gaps in existing research by leveraging the ethnopharmacological expertise of trenbolone consumers. By engaging with the community's connoisseurship, we sought to enhance harm reduction strategies and foster collaboration between consumers, scholars and health practitioners.
New South Wales alcohol and other drug service providers' perceptions of the relative importance of client variables for determining treatment need
Larance B, Ingram I, Haynes C, Buckfield L, Goh CWM and Kelly PJ
This study examines alcohol and other drug (AOD) service providers' perceptions of the most important variables (client complexity and demographic) for determining treatment need and intensity of intervention.
Correction to "Social recovery in substance use disorder: A metasynthesis of qualitative studies"
Acceptability and quality of the 'Grog Survey App' brief intervention: Helping Aboriginal Australians reflect on their drinking using a digital health tool
Lee KK, Conigrave JH, Dale E, Conigrave KM, Dzidowska M, Reynolds T, Wilson S, Perry J, Manton D, Lee A, Hayman N, Zheng C, Fitts M, Wilson D and Dawson A
The Grog Survey App is a validated, visual and interactive self-administered application for tablet computers that is designed to help Aboriginal Australians describe their alcohol consumption. Each person who completes the App also receives a brief intervention with feedback tailored to their survey responses. We aimed to qualitatively assess the acceptability and perceived quality of the Grog App's brief intervention, among higher risk consumers and health providers at an Aboriginal residential rehabilitation centre.
A netnographic study of anabolic-androgenic steroid initiation videos on YouTube
Gill MJ, Piatkowski T and Dunn M
YouTube personalities (YP) have amassed significant followings by distributing health information. There is concern that YP involved in anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) communities are sharing information on how people should approach initiating AAS use. This research sought to explore how YP are using their platform to distribute information on AAS initiation, what information is being presented and how people are responding.
Public and professional stakeholders' perceptions of alcohol advertising and availability policies: A qualitative study
Dimova ED, Shortt NK, Smith M, Mitchell RJ, Lekkas P, Pearce JR, Clemens TL and Emslie C
Reducing alcohol availability and restricting alcohol advertising are effective ways to reduce harm from alcohol. Implementation of public health policies involves collaboration between different stakeholders, and is influenced by public opinion. This paper explores public and professional stakeholders' perceptions of alcohol advertising and availability policies. It is the first to capture consensus and divergence in narratives of these stakeholders.
Routine outcome monitoring and feedback in alcohol and other drug treatment: A qualitative study of client perspectives on implementation
Pocuca N, Tisdale C, Campbell G, Beck AK, Ellem R, Quinn CA, Kelly PJ, Larance B, Baker AL, Connor JP, Marsden J, Chan GCK, Connelly L, Lenzen S, Farrell M and Hides L
Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) and feedback is an evidence-supported strategy for evaluating alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment outcomes. However, the implementation of ROM and feedback into AOD services remains a significant challenge. Research aimed at understanding client perspectives on ROM and feedback is needed to facilitate successful implementation. This study examined experiences with and perceptions of ROM and feedback in a sample of clients receiving AOD treatment.
Associations of parenting styles with substance use in the offspring-A systematic review and meta-analysis
Pinquart M and Lauk J
Parenting styles have been suggested to predict the use of psychoactive substances in the offspring, although the size of associations might vary between cultures. The present meta-analysis tested whether parenting styles show concurrent and longitudinal associations with substance use and whether this association is moderated by study characteristics.
Special Issue: APSAD 2024 Conference 30 October-2 November 2024 National Convention Centre, Canberra