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21 – 30 of over 4000The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the two visions of recovery that are now being developed in the UK are consistent with each other and question what…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the two visions of recovery that are now being developed in the UK are consistent with each other and question what impact the development of parallel approaches will have on people at the intersections between them.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper looks first at the origins and current implementation of the two approaches and then examines the commonalities and differences in the context of what they might mean for people using both sets of services simultaneously.
Findings
The ideas behind Recovery in mental health and substance misuse services have some differences but significant common ground in focusing on improving quality of life.
Research limitations/implications
This paper points to the need to understand recovery in both services from the perspectives of those who have a dual diagnosis and need support from each service.
Practical implications
This paper could be used to develop new approaches to supporting people with a dual diagnosis with a consistent Recovery focus.
Originality/value
Placing personal recovery at the heart of both mental health and substance misuse services may, over time, improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
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This is the second part of a three‐part series in which Casey Hardison investigates current UK drug policy and calls for a paradigm shift.
Abstract
This is the second part of a three‐part series in which Casey Hardison investigates current UK drug policy and calls for a paradigm shift.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the content of the strategy and assess its claims to be evidence based.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the content of the strategy and assess its claims to be evidence based.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a close-reading of the text with commentary on specific content and reference to wider contexts.
Findings
The strategy makes use of evidence in its sections on treatment. Much evidence, including that of the UK ACMD, is dismissed or ignored. The issue of funding in times of austerity is not considered in the strategy. The range and complexity of drug use and users are not fully considered.
Research limitations/implications
The strategy can be seen as an idealised ambition with little basis in reality without funding to support its aims.
Social implications
There is no consideration of the impact of macro-economic policy on the extent of drug misuse.
Originality/value
Other commentaries on the strategy are emerging. This paper is a more extensive consideration than has so far appeared.
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Housing and support are essential if people misusing drugs and alcohol are to address their substance misuse and their other physical, mental and emotional health needs. If their…
Abstract
Housing and support are essential if people misusing drugs and alcohol are to address their substance misuse and their other physical, mental and emotional health needs. If their housing and related support needs are not addressed at each stage of the treatment journey, they are much less likely to enter or remain in treatment. This article outlines the policy context, discusses barriers in service development, explores the role of housing with support for substance users and gives examples of imaginative commissioning and provision. It is based on recent work for the Department of Health Care Services Improvement Partnership.
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Rob Hill, Megan Underhill, Katherine Atnas and Jenny Harris
In this paper, we explore the role that psychology can play in enhancing dual diagnosis provision in substance misuse wards. In order to understand what can be achieved, we will…
Abstract
In this paper, we explore the role that psychology can play in enhancing dual diagnosis provision in substance misuse wards. In order to understand what can be achieved, we will review: the nature of the client group presenting to substance misuse wards; the role and function of such wards; the role of clinical psychology within these wards; and specific issues relating to inpatient substance misuse treatment. We conclude by identifying some key elements that we believe can enhance effective dual diagnosis working within inpatient substance misuse services.
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Iain McPhee, Colin R. Martin and Anthony Sneider
This paper aims to critically explore the consequences of how Scotland interprets the UK Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). Scotland prosecutes 24 per cent of people found in possession…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to critically explore the consequences of how Scotland interprets the UK Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). Scotland prosecutes 24 per cent of people found in possession of illegal drugs for drug “dealing” compared to less than 15 per cent in England and Wales and less than 16 per cent in Northern Ireland.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides a narrative review in the context of the background of the economic and social costs of illegal drugs in Scotland and compares this with the UK and Northern Ireland.
Findings
The explanation for such a wide disparity in numbers of dealers between these countries proposed is that the Scottish Police force is comparatively more successful at persuading courts that small quantities of drugs rather than for personal use are in fact for onward sale or supply to others.
Practical implications
The police in Scotland have a network of specialist drug units in which officers make decisions in the absence of benchmarks against which to judge quantities of repossessed drugs. Taking this approach, a devolved Scotland's commitment to drug prohibition has resulted in some very curious differences in classifications of prosecutions compared to other countries.
Originality/value
The paper explores the consequences of how Scotland deals with the use of illegal drugs and the economic and social costs.
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The misuse of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics is identified as a global public health concern. Codeine represents an interesting quandary in terms of its regulated status, with…
Abstract
Purpose
The misuse of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics is identified as a global public health concern. Codeine represents an interesting quandary in terms of its regulated status, with individuals varying in their metabolism of codeine, estimation of safe dosages, risk of adverse health consequences and abuse potential. Efforts to quantify and address hidden non-compliant medical codeine use, overuse and intentional misuse is compromised by availability to the public in prescribed and over the counter forms. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of literature on codeine use, misuse and dependence, and associated innovative medical and pharmacy interventions is presented, and was conducted as part of a larger scoping review on codeine.
Findings
The review highlights the complexities associated with monitoring public health awareness of codeine's abuse potential, and customer/patients trends in non-compliant codeine use for therapeutic and recreational purposes. Aberrant codeine behaviours centre on visiting multiple doctors for prescriptions, repeated lost or stolen prescriptions, forging prescriptions and use of multiple pharmacies. Innovations to monitor misuse of codeine include national prescription databases and recent developments in real-time monitoring of dispensing activity.
Practical implications
Further development of real-time monitoring processes with process evaluation is advised.
Originality/value
This viewpoint is intended to demonstrate how efforts to quantify and address codeine use are compromised by its availability. It intends to encourage further policy and practitioner dialogue on how to monitor, support and intervene with consumers misusing codeine.
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This article considers the recent public debate in the UK on drug classification and the role of the Advisory Council of the Misuse of Drugs, particularly following David Nutt's…
Abstract
This article considers the recent public debate in the UK on drug classification and the role of the Advisory Council of the Misuse of Drugs, particularly following David Nutt's departure as Chair of the ACMD. It suggests that there have been flaws in the arguments on both sides, and considers some of the implications for wider debate on regulation and control.
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