Dr. Bobby Smyth
Clinical Associate Professor, Public Health & Primary Care
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Comiskey, C, James, P, Smyth, B, Journeying with fear: Young people's experiences of cannabis use, crime and violence before treatment entry, Journal of Child and Adolesc ent Psychiatric Nursing., 2020, p1 - 6
Smyth, Bobby P, O"Farrell, Anne, Cullen, Walter, Drug-related medical hospital admissions during and after a period of head shop expansion, European Journal of Public Health, 2020
Smyth BP, Cannon M, Molodynski A, Curran HV, Eastwood N, Winstock AR., Would decriminalising personal use of cannabis lead to higher rates of mental illness?, BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 368, 2020, pl6975
Smyth BP, McCarney G., Treatment of Adolescent Heroin Dependence: The End of an Era., Irish medical journal, 113, (1), 2020, p2
Smyth BP, Barry J, Financial Support by Billionaires for Research and Policy Analysis Should Be Subject to Disclosure Rules, Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 80, (2), 2019, p265 - 266
Smyth Bobby P, Daly Antoinette, Elmusharaf Khalifa, McDonald Conor, Clarke Mary, Craig Sarah, Cullen Walter, Legislation targeting head shops selling new psychoactive substances and changes in drug-related psychiatric admissions: A national database study , Early intervention in psychiatry , 2019
Smyth BP, O"Farrell A, Daly A., Cannabis use and Associated Health Problems: What's the Harm?, Irish medical journal, 112, (9), 2019, p1000
James, Philip David, Comiskey, Catherine, Smyth, Bobby P., "Debt on Me Head": A Qualitative Study of the Experience of Teenage Cannabis Users in Treatment, Journal of Addictions Nursing, 30, (3), 2019, p211-218
Smyth Bobby P, Elmusharaf Khalifa, Cullen Walter, Opioid substitution treatment and heroin dependent adolescents: reductions in heroin use and treatment retention over twelve months , BMC pediatrics , 18 , (1 ), 2018, p151 -
Ivers JH, Zgaga L, Sweeney B, Keenan E, Darker C, Smyth BP, Barry J., A naturalistic longitudinal analysis of post-detoxification outcomes in opioid-dependent patients., Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (S1), 2018, p339 - 347
Bobby Smyth, Addressing the harms related to youth substance use: treatment of individuals and population focused legislative responses, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, 2018
BOBBY P. SMYTH, MARY CLARKE, SARAH CRAIG & WALTER CULLEN, NOVEL PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND MENTAL HEALTH: CHANGES IN DRUGRELATED PSYCHIATRIC ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF HEADSHOPS, Drug & Alcohol Review, Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Annual Conference, Sydney, 1/11/2016, 35, (Suppl 1), 2017, pp68 - 69
Smyth Bobby P, New psychoactive substances in Ireland following the criminal justice (psychoactive substances) act-why all the pessimism? , Addiction (Abingdon, England) , 112 , (9 ), 2017, p1686 -
Smyth BP, Lyons S, Cullen W., Decline in new psychoactive substance use disorders following legislation targeting headshops: Evidence from national addiction treatment data., Drug and Alcohol Review, 36, (5), 2017, p609 - 617
McCombe G., Henihan A., Klimas J., Klimas J., Swan D., Leahy D., Anderson R., Bury G., Dunne C., Keenan E., Meagher D., O"Gorman C., O"Toole T., Saunders J., Smyth B., Lambert J., Kaner E., Cullen W., Enhancing alcohol screening and brief intervention among people receiving opioid agonist treatment: qualitative study in primary care, Drugs and Alcohol Today, 16, (4), 2016, p247-258
James P., Fida A., Konovalov P., Smyth B., Smyth B., Non-medical use of olanzapine by people on methadone treatment, Psychiatrist, 40, (6), 2016, p314-317
Bobby P Smyth, Kevin Ducray, Walter Cullen, Changes in psychological wellbeing among heroin dependent adolescents during psychologically supported opiate substitution treatment, Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association Addiction Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 19/5/2016, Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association , 2016
Byrne P, Ducray K, Smyth BP, The Impact of Sex Upon Needs and Quality of Life Within a Population on Methadone Treatment., Journal of addiction medicine, 10, (1), 2016, p60-7
Smyth BP, Ducray K, Cullen W, Changes in psychological well-being among heroin-dependent adolescents during psychologically supported opiate substitution treatment., Early intervention in psychiatry, 2016
Cousins G., Mongan D., Barry J., Smyth B., Rackard M., Long J., Potential impact of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Ireland: Evidence from the national alcohol diary survey, Alcohol and Alcoholism, 51, (6), 2016, p734-740
Henihan A., McCombe G., McCombe G., Klimas J., Klimas J., Klimas J., Swan D., Swan D., Swan D., Leahy D., Anderson R., Bury G., Dunne C., Keenan E., Lambert J., Meagher D., O'Gorman C., O'Toole T., O'Toole T., Saunders J., Saunders J., Shorter G., Smyth B., Smyth B., Kaner E., Cullen W., Cullen W., Cullen W., Feasibility of alcohol screening among patients receiving opioid treatment in primary care, BMC Family Practice, 17, (1), 2016, p1-10
Smyth B., Hannigan A., Cullen W., Cocaine use in young adults: Correlation with early onset cannabis, alcohol and tobacco use, Irish Medical Journal, 109, (9), 2016, p467
Cousins G., Mongan D., Barry J., Smyth B., Rackard M., Long J., Estimating Risk of Alcohol Dependence Using Empirically Validated Ordinal Risk Zones Versus Recommended Binary Risk Zones of the RAPS4: A Validation Study Using Stratum-Specific Likelihood Ratio Analysis, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40, (8), 2016, p1700-1706
Klimas J, Marie Henihan A, McCombe G, Swan D, Anderson R, Bury G, Dunne C, Keenan E, Saunders J, Shorter GW, Smyth BP, Cullen W, Psychosocial Interventions for Problem Alcohol Use in Primary Care Settings (PINTA): Baseline Feasibility Data., Journal of dual diagnosis, 11, (2), 2015, p97-106
Smyth, B.P., James, P., Cullen, W., & Darker, C., "So prohibition can work?" Changes in use of novel psychoactive substances among adolescents attending a drug and alcohol treatment service following a legislative ban. , International Journal of Drug Policy, 26, (9), 2015, p887 - 889
Smyth, B.P., Kelly, A., Cullen, W., Darker, C. , Treatment outcome for adolescents abusing alcohol and cannabis: how many 'reliably improve'?, Irish Medical Journal, 108, (5), 2015, p137 - 140
Darker CD, Palmer D, O'Reilly G , Whiston L & Smyth BP , Young People in Drug Treatment: Their Views on Substance Use Aetiology, Trajectory, Parents' Role in Drug Use and Coping., Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 32, 2015, p247 - 258
Leahy D., Schaffalitzky E., Armstrong C., Latham L., McNicholas F., Meagher D., Nathan Y., O"Connor R., O"Keane V., Ryan P., Smyth B., Swan D., Cullen W., How social context impacts on the development, identification and treatment of mental and substance use disorders among young people - A qualitative study of health care workers, Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 32, (1), 2015, p117-128
Schaffalitzky E, Leahy D, Cullen W, Gavin B, Latham L, O'Connor R, Smyth BP, O'Dea E, Ryan S, Youth mental health in deprived urban areas: a Delphi study on the role of the GP in early intervention., Irish journal of medical science, 2014
Fagan,John B. J.B., Lyons,Suzi M. S.M., Smyth,B. P. B.P., Content analysis of newspaper reports on alcohol-related deaths, Alcohol and Alcoholism, 49, (4), 2014, p479-483
J Klimas, K Lally, L Murphy, L Crowley, R Anderson, D Meagher, BP Smyth, G Bury, W Cullen., Development and process evaluation of an educational intervention to support primary care of problem alcohol among drug users. , Drugs & Alcohol Today ,, 14, 2014, p76 - 86
Schaffalitzky E, Leahy D, Armstrong C, Gavin B, Latham L, McNicholas F, Meagher D, O'Connor R, O'Toole T, Smyth BP, Cullen W, "Nobody really gets it";: a qualitative exploration of youth mental health in deprived urban areas., Early intervention in psychiatry, 2014
Field CA, Klimas J, Barry J, Bury G, Keenan E, Smyth BP, Cullen W, Problem alcohol use among problem drug users in primary care: a qualitative study of what patients think about screening and treatment , BMC Family Practice, 14, (1), 2013, p98-
Orr C, Morioka R, Behan B, Datwani S, Doucet M, Ivanovic J, Kelly C, Weierstall K, Watts R, Smyth B, Garavan H, Altered resting-state connectivity in adolescent cannabis users., The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 39, (6), 2013, p372-81
Martin M, Klimas J, Dunne C, Meagher D, O'Connor WT, O'Dwyer P, Smyth BP, Cullen W, Genetic Pre-determinants of Concurrent Alcohol and Opioid Dependence: A critical review., OA Alcohol , 1, (2), 2013, p18-
Apantaku-Olajide T, Smyth BP, Non-medical use of psychotropic prescription drugs among adolescents in substance use treatment., Journal of psychoactive drugs, 45, (4), 2013, p340-6
Leahy D, Schaffalitzky E, Armstrong C, Bury G, Cussen-Murphy P, Davis R, Dooley B, Gavin B, Keane R, Keenan E, Latham L, Meagher D, McGorry P, McNicholas F, O'Connor R, O'Dea E, O'Keane V, O'Toole TP, Reilly E, Ryan P, Sanci L, Smyth BP, Cullen W, Primary care and youth mental health in Ireland: qualitative study in deprived urban areas., BMC family practice, 14, 2013, p194
Apantaku-Olajide T, Darker CD, Smyth BP, Onset of Cocaine Use: Associated Alcohol Intoxication and Psychosocial Characteristics Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment., Journal of addiction medicine, 7, (3), 2013, p183 - 188
Klimas J, Anderson R, Bourke M, Bury G, Field CA, Kaner E, Keane R, Keenan E, Meagher D, Murphy B, O'Gorman CS, O'Toole TP, Saunders J, Smyth BP, Dunne C, Cullen W, Psychosocial interventions for alcohol use among problem drug users: protocol for a feasibility study in primary care., JMIR research protocols, 2, (2), 2013, pe26
Behan B, Connolly CG, Datwani S, Doucet M, Ivanovic J, Morioka R, Stone A, Watts R, Smyth B, Garavan H, Response inhibition and elevated parietal-cerebellar correlations in chronic adolescent cannabis users., Neuropharmacology, 2013
David Barry, Hussain Syed and Bobby P Smyth, The journey into injecting heroin use, Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems, 14, (3), 2012, p89 - 100
Philip D. James, Tunde Apantaku-Olajide, Bobby P. Smyth, Substance use and Psychiatric disorders in Irish adolescents: a cross-sectional study of patients attending substance abuse treatment service. , Mental Health and Substance Use , 2012, p1 - 9
Ducray D, Darker C, Smyth BP, Situational and psycho-social factors associated with relapse following detoxification in a population of Irish opioid dependent patients. , Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , 29, (2), 2012, p72 - 79
Apantaku-Olajide T, Ducray K, Byrne P, Smyth BP, Perception of unmet needs among patients on a methadone maintenance treatment programme and its association with benzodiazepine misuse, The Psychiatrist, 36, 2012, p169 - 174
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Kelly, A., Smyth, B., and Barry, J. , Cognitive behavioural coping skills therapy in cocaine using methadone maintained patients: a pilot randomised controlled trial, Heroin Addiction & Related Clinical Problems, 14, (3), 2012, p101-110
Smyth BP, Fagan J, Kernan K, Outcome of heroin-dependent adolescents presenting for opiate substitution treatment., Journal of substance abuse treatment, 42, (1), 2012, p35-44
Kearns C, James P, Smyth BP, Drinking patterns and preferences among Irish substance abusing teenagers: a pilot study. , Journal of Addictions Nursing, 22, 2011, p124 - 129
Darker CD, Sweeney BP, El Hassan HO, Smyth BP, Ivers JH, Barry JM, Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in opiate-dependent methadone-maintained patients: Results from an implementation study., Drug and alcohol review, 2011
Ducray K, Byrne P, Burke C, Smyth BP, A comparison of drug use patterns, measures of needs and quality of life of methadone-maintained patients using and not using cocaine., Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems, 13, 2011, p27 - 38
Amass L, Pukeleviciene V, Subata E, Almeida AR, Pieri MC, D'Egidio P, Stankova Z, Costa A, Smyth BP, Sakoman S, Wei Y, Strang J, A Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Acceptability And Safety Study Of Direct Buprenorphine/Naloxone Induction In Heroin-Dependent Individuals., Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2011
Jan Klimas, Catherine Anne Field, Joe Barry, Gerard Bury, Eamon Keenan, Suzi Lyons, Bobby Smyth, Walter Cullen, Commentary on 'The research translation problem: Alcohol screening and brief intervention in primary care - real world evidence supports theory', Drugs: education, prevention and policy, Online, 2011, p1 - 3
Smyth, B., Kelly, A., Cox, G., Decline in age of drinking onset in Ireland, gender and per capita alcohol consumption, Alcohol and Alcoholism, 46, (3), 2011
Field CA, Klimas J, Barry J, Bury G, Keenan E, Lyons S, Smyth BP, Cullen W, Alcohol screening and brief intervention among drug users in primary care: a discussion paper., Irish journal of medical science, 2011
Apantaku-Olajide T, Smyth BP, Gibbons P, Naturalistic study of patients presenting in crisis to an Irish adult community mental health team: Sociodemographic and Clinical characteristics, International Psychiatry, 8, 2011, p72 - 74
Edokpolo O, James P, Kearns C, Campbell A, Smyth BP, Gender differences in psychiatric symptomatology in adolescents attending a community drug and alcohol treatment program., Journal of psychoactive drugs, 42, (1), 2010, p31-6
Smyth, B.P., Darker, C., Donnelly-Swift, E., Barry, J.M., & Allwright, S.P. , A telephone survey of parental attitudes and behaviours regarding teenage drinking, BMC Public Health, 10, 2010, p297
Edokpolo O, Nkire N, Smyth BP, The Challenges of Treating Adolescents with ADHD and Comorbid Substance Use Disorder- The Irish Experience. , Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 27, 2010, p148 - 151
Smyth BP, Barry J, Keenan E, Ducray K, Lapse and relapse following inpatient treatment of opiate dependence., Irish medical journal, 103, (6), 2010, p176-9
Ryder N, Cullen W, Barry J, Bury G, Keenan E, Smyth BP, Prevalence of problem alcohol use among patients attending primary care for methadone treatment., BMC Family Practice, 10, (42), 2009
Roche A, McCabe S, Smyth BP, Illicit Methadone Use and Abuse in Young People Accessing Treatment for Opiate Dependence, European Addiction Research, 14, 2008, p219 - 225
Kamal F, Flavin S, Campbell F, Behan C, Fagan J, Smyth R, Factors affecting the outcome of methadone maintenance treatment in opiate dependence, Irish Medical Journal, 100, (3), 2007, p393 - 397
Smyth BP, Roche A, Recipient syringe sharing and its relationship to social proximity, perception of risk and preparedness to share, Addictive Behaviours, 32, 2007, p1943 - 1948
Smyth BP, Abstinence orientated treatment for opiate addiction, 2006, - B J Psych 292-293
Smyth B, Barry J, Keenan E, Irish injecting drug users and hepatitis C: the importance of the social context of injecting, International Journal of Epidemiology, 34, 2005, p166 - 172
Grogan L, Tiernan M, Geogeghan N, Smyth B, Keenan E, Bloodborne virus infections among drug users in Ireland: a retrospective cross-sectional survey of screening, prevalence, incidence and hepatitis B immunisation uptake, Irish Journal of Medical Science, 174, (2), 2005, p14 - 20
Treatment of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders in, editor(s)Gowers S , Seminars in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, London, Gaskell, 2005, pp269 - 292, [Smyth B, Gowers S]
Smyth B, O'Brien M, Children attending addiction treatment services in Dublin, 1990-1999, European Addiction Research, 10, 2004, p68 - 74
Gowers SG, Smyth B., The impact of a motivational assessment interview on initial response to treatment in adolescent anorexia nervosa., Eating Disorders Review, 12, 2004, p87 - 93
Smyth BP, O'Connor JJ, Barry J, Keenan E, Retrospective cohort study examining incidence of HIV and hepatitis C infection among injecting drug users in Dublin, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 57, 2003, p310 - 311
Smyth B, Barry J, Keenan E, Syringe borrowing persists in Dublin despite harm reduction interventions, Addiction, 96, 2001, p717 - 727
Smyth B, O'Brien M, Barry J, Trends in treated opiate misuse in Dublin: The emergence of chasing the dragon., Addiction, 95, 2000, p1217 - 1223
Smyth BP, Keenan E, O'Connor JJ, Assessment of hepatitis C infection in injecting drug users attending an addiction treatment clinic., Irish journal of medical science, 169, (2), 2000, p129-32
Smyth B, McMahon J, O'Connor JJ, Ryan J, The use of primary care services by opiate dependant injecting drug users in Dublin. , European Journal of General Practice, 5, 1999, p143 - 148
Smyth B, Keenan E, O'Connor JJ, Evaluation of the impact of Dublin's expanded harm reduction programme on prevalence of hepatitis C among short-term injecting drug users, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 53, 1999, p434 - 435
Smyth BP, McMahon J, O'Connor JJ, Ryan J., Knowledge regarding hepatitis C among injecting drug users, Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, 6, 1999, p257 - 264
Smyth BP, Keenan E, O'Connor JJ, Bloodborne viral infection in Irish injecting drug users., Addiction, 93, 1998, p1649 - 1656
Smyth R, Keenan E, Dorman A, O'Connor J, Hepatitis C infection among injecting drug users attending the National Drug Treatment , Irish Journal of Medical Science, 164, (4), 1995, p267 - 268
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
James P, Kearns T, Campbell A & Smyth BP, Adolescents & Substance Use: The Handbook for professionals working with Young People, Oxford, Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, 2013
The Childs Perspective in, editor(s)David B. Cooper , Responding in Mental Health-Substance Use , Oxford, Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, 2011, [James P, Smyth BP]
Barry S, Cannon M, Lawlor L, Smyth BP, What everyone should know about cannabis, Dublin, JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARTS, SPORT, TOURISM, COMMUNITY, RURAL & GAELTACHTAFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION, June, 2006
Berney T, Black S, Checinski K, Crome I, Feinmann C, Gowers S, Hobbs M, Marsden A, Mahmood T, Smith E, Smyth R, Walden C, The mental health of students in Higher Education, London, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2003
Research Expertise
Description
The overarching theme uniting almost all of my research output to date has been a focus on substance use and related harms. Prior to 2005, the focus was on heroin use, drug injecting & related risks. In the past 15 years, I have focused more on the younger age ranges and have been looking increasingly at other substances, especially alcohol, new psychoactive substances (NPS) and cannabis. I have conducted a number of studies examining treatment outcome. This has included an in depth analysis of the treatment outcome of heroin dependent adolescents who have availed of treatment involving opioid agonist medications. This research is important internationally as this patient group are very high risk but are relatively small in number and the evidence base regarding treatment options is very sparse. This corpus of research constituted a key element of my recently completed PhD. At the population level, drug policy is intensely debated. The arrival and departure of head shops, which sold NPS, in Ireland in 2010 provided an opportunity for a natural experiment of our policies. I have conducted a number of studies examining the harms related to NPS, also as part of my PhD . These studies provide evidence supporting a positive public health impact arising from the Irish legislative approach to head shops, as NPS related addiction declined in young people and drug related psychiatric admissions also diminished. Completion of my PhD has been my priority in past five years, not the pursuit of research funding. Interdisciplinary research within and across institutions has been a strong feature of my research to date. Very diverse methodologies have been required for the various research projects. I plan to build on my established connection with bodies such as the Health Research Board to continue my secondary analysis of existing datasets over the next five years.Recognition
Representations
Chairperson of the General Population Survey (GPS) Research Advisory Group for the HRB. The GPS measures the prevalence of use of alcohol and other drugs using a general population sample from across Ireland.
Board Member of Alcohol Action Ireland
Member of the Alcohol Health Alliance
Chairperson of the Treatment & Prevention Subcommittee of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs & Alcohol
Completed an external expert review of the Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Services (ADAWS) which was based at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Australia.
Expert Advisory Group on alcohol, Public Health England
Addiction Faculty of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland
Special Interest Group on Youth & Student Mental Health (College of Psychiatrists of Ireland)
Alcohol Policy Group of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI)
National Advisory Committee on Drugs & Alcohol
Member of the Early Warning & Emerging trends Subcommittee of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs
Addiction Subgroup of the Expert Group on Mental Health (which drafted " A Vision for Change", Ireland's mental health strategy)
Adolescent Subgroup - HSE National Consent Advisory Group
National Addiction Training Program
Member of the Editorial Board of the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
Journal review for Addiction, Alcohol and Alcoholism, PLoS One, BMJ Open Ophthalmology, Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Substance Abuse, BMC Public Health, Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, Public Health Journal of Affective Disorders, Journal of Drug Issues, Journal of Addictive Diseases, Pediatric Drugs, Expert Review of Anti Infective Therapy, Mental Health and Substance Use, Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy,
Adviser to Aiseiri Aislinn in Kilkenny, the sole residential adolescent addiction treatment service in Ireland
Awards and Honours
Margaret Davenport Prize (Royal College of Psychiatrists)
Registrar's Prize ( Royal Acadamy of Medicine in Ireland)
Mental health category of the HSE Open Access awards for 2018
Merseyside Deanery Psychiatry Trainees Research Prize, Second place
Memberships
College of Psychiatrists of Ireland
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Society for the Study of Addiction
Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland
Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry