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Introduction: Organisational factors have been found to be associated with health outcomes in a number of health‐care settings. Despite likely being an important influence on the quality of care provided within alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment centres, the impact of organisational factors on AOD treatment outcomes have not been extensively explored. This systematic literature review examines the characteristics, methodological quality and findings of published studies exploring the association between organisational factors and client AOD treatment outcomes. Methods: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane database were searched from 2010 to March 2022 for relevant papers. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria underwent quality assessment using the Joanna Brigg's Institute critical appraisal tool for cross‐sectional studies, followed by data extraction of key variables pertaining to the aims. A narrative summary was used to synthesise the data. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Organisational factors examined included cultural competency, organisational readiness for change, directorial leadership, continuity of care practices, service access, service to needs ratios, dual diagnosis training, therapeutic optimism and the funding model/health‐care system that treatment was delivered in. Outcome measures included duration, completion or continuation of treatment; AOD use; and patient perceptions of treatment outcomes. Seven out of nine papers found a significant interaction between at least one organisational variable and AOD treatment outcomes. Discussion and Conclusions: Organisational factors are likely to impact treatment outcomes for patients seeking treatment for AOD. Further examination of the organisational factors that influence AOD outcomes is needed to inform systemic improvements to AOD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide an analysis of the concept of recovery from substance use. We performed a literature search in CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Embase using key terms that focused on the concept of recovery from substance use. We also conducted a grey literature search and included select resources. Inclusive years for the search ranged from January 1, 2000 to March 10, 2022. Records were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers; data were extracted by one reviewer and confirmed by a second. A total of 22 literature sources were included. Identified core attributes of recovery include: (i) recovery as a process, (ii) recovery as more than managing substance use, (iii) recovery as life improvements, and (iv) recovery as a person‐centred, individual concept. Antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents are identified, and model and contrary cases are presented. We propose the following definition for recovery: Recovery from substance use is defined by the affected individual, who sets goals and objectives for life improvements that include managing their substance use, but this is not the sole focus. Recovery is a person‐centred, individualized process that can be measured by referents that suit the individual's own goals and objectives. What may constitute "recovery" and "recovered" requires definition by each individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic alcohol and other drug use has a significant societal, personal, and financial burden. Nurses are key in responding to problematic alcohol and other drug use; however, research indicates many nurses hold negative attitudes towards people with substance and alcohol use disorders. Further, little content exists in most undergraduate degrees to address stigma held by new nurses. The objective of this scoping review, structured using Arksey and O'Malley's (International Journal of Social Research Methodology: Theory and Practice, 8 (1), 19–32, 2005) framework, is to examine studies that either explore or attempt to improve the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nurses caring for people who use alcohol and other drugs. Our initial search located 610 articles, and after screening, 14 articles were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and included in this review. Most of the papers appraised were small, localized studies using evaluation methods considered low quality, but showed promising results in addressing stigma and confidence in providing care to people who use alcohol and other drugs. This review indicates that a consistent direction for improving knowledge and attitudes among undergraduate nursing students working with people who use alcohol and other drugs is urgently needed. Further studies of interventions, tested with more rigorous evaluation methodologies, are required to extend existing work in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parachuting (also called bombing) is a method of drug delivery where illicit drugs or medicines are ingested after wrapping the substance. There are little data describing parachuting in the literature. To provide a description of this practice, all cases of parachuting reported to the national addictovigilance network up to 31 December 2014 were identified from spontaneous reports and specific surveillance programs. Cases were described according to the type of substance used, patient age and gender, type of complications, context of use and year of the event. Forty-five cases of parachute use were identified and most ( n = 43) occurred after 2011. Patients were mostly men (60%), and mean age was 28.9 years. The context of use, known in 19 cases, was mostly recreational. Complications were present in 24 cases, of which eight were serious. The substance was supposed to be 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA) in the majority of cases (64.4%); research chemicals were more involved in the most recent years. The physical form was mainly granular (51.6%). The wrappers were a cigarette paper (nine cases) and in one case plastic package; in the other cases, the term of parachute was used without further details. The reason for use was not explained in the majority of cases; two patients indicated using a parachute for faster effect than with a methadone capsule. Clinicians should be aware of this delivery form as the results suggest that it is common and can involve a great variability of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Concurrent mental health and substance use disorders among youth are associated with functional impairment in developmentally salient domains, yet research on prevention and intervention for this vulnerable population is sparse. This paper describes the rationale and design of the Research and Action for Teens study, an initiative designed to strengthen the evidence base for prevention, screening, treatment and service delivery for youth concurrent mental health and substance use concerns. Methods: Four sub‐studies were developed: (1) a cohort study examining the emergence of mental health and substance use concerns from early to mid‐adolescence; (2) a screening and diagnosis study validating screening tools with a diagnostic interview; (3) a treatment study examining the feasibility and effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy skills training interventions for youth and family members; and (4) a systems study implementing cross‐sectoral collaborative networks of youth‐serving agencies using a common screening tool. Results: Multiple stakeholders, including service providers from youth‐serving agencies across sectors, consumer groups and family members participated in an initial consultation, and in the implementation of 4 sub‐studies. Conclusions: Collaboration with community stakeholders across sectors and disciplines throughout the research process is challenging but feasible, and is important for the production of applicable knowledge across the continuum of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'check effect' refers to the use of disability payments to purchase illegal drugs or alcohol. This paper describes subsequent research concerning three interrelated issues: the check effect, whether receipt of disability payments is associated with more overall substance use, and potential policy responses to misuse of disability payments for substances. Review and synthesis of published papers. Increased substance use at the beginning of the month has been described in a variety of settings. The tendency to purchase substances at the beginning of the month is impacted by household wealth, the tendency to discount future rewards and cyclical economic activity. However, in naturalistic observational cohort studies, beneficiaries who receive disability payments had no greater substance use than those without disability payments. Potential policy responses to mis-spending of disability checks include financial counseling that discourages spending on drugs and the assignment of a representative payee to prevent misuse of benefits for substances. Assignment of a representative payee per se has not been associated with reduced substance use, but payeeship administered by agencies that integrate payee practice into treatment has been. Disability payments impact the timing of substance use, but receipt of disability payments is not associated with more overall substance use than unalleviated poverty. Money management-based clinical interventions, which may involve assignment of a representative payee, can minimize the purchase of substances with disability payments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is an Asia Pacific country that we hear little about in the drug and alcohol area. Recently at the APEC meeting in Chile, the Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, announced that PNG would be one of the countries of focus with regards to public health programs and HIV AIDS assistance by Australia in the future. This is a timely report of a rapid situation assessment (RSA) of drug use and drug-related harm in Papua New Guinea (PNG) conducted in 1998?–?1999, with comments on developments since that time. The author of this paper, David McDonald, was appointed as the international consultant to work with the PNG National Narcotics Bureau to undertake an assessment of drug use in PNG, and is well-equipped to report on the drug and alcohol situation in that country. The rapid assessment study was conducted to provide up-to-date, factual information about drugs in PNG that could contribute to the development of a national drug strategy for PNG. The focus was on illegal drugs in accordance with the mandates of the auspicing bodies – namely cannabis and home-brewed alcohol. In keeping with the methodology for rapid assessment, the author utilised multiple information sources including published literature, administrative by-product data, case studies, a key informants' study and structured interviews with drug users. It was found that alcohol – both licit and home brew, as well as high potency cannabis, were the major substance problems in PNG. This paper, based on a more detailed report available through the author, provides a snap-shot of substance use problems in PNG. However, the author reports that problems in public sector management within and external to the sponsoring agency, the National Narcotics Bureau, have meant that the proposed national drug control strategy has not yet been developed. [McDonald D. A rapid situation assessment of drug use in Papua New Guinea. Drug Alcohol Rev 2005;24:79–82] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maniglio R. The impact of child sexual abuse on the course of bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Bipolar Disord 2013: 15: 341-358. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Objectives: The aim of this review was to elucidate the impact of child sexual abuse on all clinical phenomena that occur after the onset of bipolar disorder, including associated clinical features that are not part of the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Methods: Five databases were searched and supplemented with a hand search of reference lists from retrieved papers. Study quality was assessed using a validated quality assessment tool. Blind assessments of study eligibility and quality were conducted by two independent researchers to reduce bias, minimize errors, and enhance the reliability of findings. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results: Eighteen studies that included a total of 2996 adults and youths with bipolar disorder and met the minimum quality criteria necessary to ensure objectivity and not invalidate results were analyzed. Across studies, child sexual abuse was strongly (and perhaps directly) associated with posttraumatic stress disorder; whereas it was less strongly (and perhaps indirectly) related to suicide attempts, alcohol and/or drug abuse or dependence, psychotic symptoms, and an early age of illness onset. In regard to the association between child sexual abuse and other clinical variables concerning the course of bipolar disorder, evidence was scant or conflicting. Conclusions: Child sexual abuse is associated (either directly or indirectly) with some clinical phenomena that represent a more severe form of bipolar disorder. Although such a traumatic experience may directly affect the development of posttraumatic stress disorder, the effects of early sexual abuse on later suicidal behavior, substance abuse, and psychotic symptoms may operate through the mediating influences of certain psychopathological or neurobiological variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]