scholarly journals Cocaine and cannabis abuse in the UK: psychological effects, social prevalence and treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40
Author(s):  
Andrew O’Hagan ◽  
Zoe Shiels
1997 ◽  
Vol 170 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Griffiths ◽  
Michael Gossop ◽  
Simon Wickenden ◽  
John Dunworth ◽  
Ken Harris ◽  
...  

BackgroundThis study investigates patterns of qat use among 207 Somalis living in London.MethodSubjects were recruited using privileged access interviewing. Somalian interviewers were recruited who shared the same culture as the subjects. Data were collected by means of a structured interview.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-two subjects (78%) had used qat. The majority (76%) used more qat than in Somalia. Some users reported moderate dependence; a minority reported severe problems. Adverse psychological effects included sleep problems, anxiety and depression. Medical problems associated with qat use were rare.ConclusionsQat users who continue to use this drug when it is transplanted from a traditional context may experience difficulties. Qat use can also be seen as playing a positive role in supporting the cultural identity of the Somalian community. Severe problems were rarely reported. Qat consumption should be considered when addressing health-related topics with patients from those communities in which qat use is common.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Davies ◽  
Luke Hogarth

Background The UK went into nationwide lockdown on 24 March 2020, in response to COVID-19. The direct psychiatric effects of this are relatively unknown. Aims We examined whether the first UK lockdown changed the demographics of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals (to include gender, legality, route of admission and diagnoses), independent of seasonal variation.. Method We conducted an anonymous review of psychiatric admissions aged ≥18 years in the 6-month period after the announcement of the first UK lockdown (March to August 2020), and in the previous year (March to August 2019), in Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust in-patient facilities. The number of admissions were compared, along with factors that may help to explain the psychological effects of national lockdown. Results There was no significant increase in total number of admissions or the gender percentage. However, there was a 11.8% increase in formal sectioning under the Mental Health Act 1983. This increase was sustained and statistically significant across all 6 months. A sustained decrease in admissions via the crisis team was also observed as being statistically significant. Separate diagnoses saw changes in percentage of admissions between March and May. The most statistically significant was schizophrenia admissions for men in April (18.7%), and women in March (18.4%). Conclusions Our findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on the legal status of psychiatric admissions, and emphasise the importance of having a robust, adaptable and open psychiatric service that caters to the ongoing needs of patients, regardless of government restrictions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 616-619
Author(s):  
Poppy Salenius

Stillbirth rates in the UK remain among the highest in Europe despite national efforts to reduce the number of avoidable deaths. The grief experienced by parents following stillbirth is both devastating and complex, and receiving compassionate and effective midwifery care at this vulnerable time is essential. This article uses psychological and sociological theories and perspectives to examine grief following stillbirth, and look at how these findings relate to midwifery practice.


Societies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Allsop ◽  
Jacqueline Briggs ◽  
Ben Kisby

This article seeks to develop a preliminary analysis of how neo-liberal thought and policies have impacted on youth political engagement in the UK, specifically by attempting to understand how macro-economic and other public policies can influence the individual psychology of citizens and their subsequent behaviour. The article sets out a clear definition and explanation of neo-liberalism and summarises six key neo-liberal impacts particularly pertinent to political engagement: marketisation and the tension this brings with democratic norms; responsibilisation narratives; increased inequality; the changing character of the state through privatisation and deregulation; the preference among policy-makers for ‘expert rule’; and repression of labour. It argues that the main psychological effects that result, and which underpin and define the personal experience of neo-liberal policy, are declines in political efficacy and increases in individualism, the ramifications of which for political engagement are discussed.


2000 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. M. Hay ◽  
T. P. Baglin ◽  
P. W. Collins ◽  
F. G. H. Hill ◽  
D. M. Keeling

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 476-477
Author(s):  
Freddie C. Hamdy ◽  
Joanne Howson ◽  
Athene Lane ◽  
Jenny L. Donovan ◽  
David E. Neal

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 210-210
Author(s):  
◽  
Freddie C. Hamdy ◽  
Athene Lane ◽  
David E. Neal ◽  
Malcolm Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
A ZAPHIRIOU ◽  
S ROBB ◽  
G MENDEZ ◽  
T MURRAYTHOMAS ◽  
S HARDMAN ◽  
...  

Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 348-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajime Sueki

Background: Previous studies have shown that suicide-related Internet use can have both negative and positive psychological effects. Aims: This study examined the effect of suicide-related Internet use on users’ suicidal ideation, depression/anxiety tendency, and loneliness. Method: A two-wave panel study of 850 Internet users was conducted via the Internet. Results: Suicide-related Internet use (e.g., browsing websites about suicide methods) had negative effects on suicidal ideation and depression/anxiety tendency. No forms of suicide-related Internet use, even those that would generally be considered positive, were found to decrease users’ suicidal ideation. In addition, our results suggest that the greater the suicidal ideation and feelings of depression and loneliness of Internet users, the more they used the Internet. Conclusion: Since suicide-related Internet use can adversely influence the mental health of young adults, it is necessary to take measures to reduce their exposure to such information.


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