Biography
Philip James trained as a psychiatric nurse in Dublin 1999 and was appointed as the first Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adolescent Substance Misuse in 2006. From 2006 to 2016 he worked in the HSE"s Youth Drug & Alcohol (YoDA) service full time. He completed a MSc. in Nursing in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 2005 and a MSc. in Addiction Recovery in Trinity College in 2019. He commenced a PhD examining access to substance use treatment for adolescents in Trinity in 2021. He has also received training in a variety of interventions including Motivational Interviewing, Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) and Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT). In 2016 he established the HSE"s treatment service for teenagers with substance use problems in Louth / Meath, the Substance Use Service for Teens (SUST). In November 2023 he took up a post as an Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing in Trinity College Dublin.
In addition to his clinical work, he has been involved in several research projects and publications. He has published various research articles and four book chapters. He was lead author of The Handbook of Adolescent Substance Use which was published by Radcliffe in 2013 and nominated for an award at the British Medical Association book awards in 2014. He is a reviewer for numerous international journals and was on the International Advisory Committee of the Journal Mental Health & Substance Use.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Philip James, Michael Nash, Catherine Comiskey, Barriers and enablers of under 18s accessing substance use treatment: a quantitative analysis of national data form an EU wide data protoco, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference (THEconf2025):, Dublin, 4-6 March 2025, 2025
Philip James, Roisin Reilly, Supporting clients to make positive changes in health behaviours using the transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing, Mental Health Practice, 28, (1), 2025
Prof. Catherine Comiskey, Dr. Dave McDonagh, Dr. Prakashini Banka, Mr. Philip James, Ms. Sadie Lavelle Cafferkey & Ms. Jessica Eustace Cook, A systematic review and meta-analysis of substance use and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2025 (THEconf2025) 'Healthcare in times of crisis: adaptive responses and global innovations', Sch. Nursing & Midwifery, TCD, March, 2025
Philip James, Catherine Comiskey, Michael Nash,, What's in a name? The challenges in doing a literature review on adolescents,, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2024,, Dublin, 5-7th of March, 2024
Philip James, Michael Nash, Catherine Comiskey, The experiences and wellbeing of adults who use cannabis, Inclusion Health Nurses Section Conference, Dublin, 13 September 2024, 2024
James, PD, Nash, M, Comiskey, C,, Barriers and Enablers for Adolescents Accessing Substance-Use Treatment: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis., International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2024
Philip James and Catherine Comiskey, Informing the cannabis policy debate: a cross-sectional study of current and former cannabis users in Ireland, Journal of Substance Use, 2024
Philip James, Michael Nash, Catherine Comiskey, "Won"t somebody please think of the children": Are we ignoring 15-17 year olds in health research and health care?, 2nd International Research Conference: Empowering Care: Innovations in Healthcare for a Sustainable Future, Dublin, 22-23 August 2024, 2024
Philip James, Catherine Comiskey, An online survey of cannabis users and ex-users in Ireland, Lisbon Addictions 2024, Lisbon, Portugal, 23-25 October 2024, 2024
Philip James, Catherine Comiskey, Michael Nash, A narrative review of barriers and enablers of under-18s attending substance use treatment, Theconf2023: Back to normal or forward to better? New horizons in healthcare, Dublin, 7-9th of March 2023, 2023
Philip James, Catherine Comiskey, An online survey of cannabis users and ex-users in Ireland, Theconf2023 Back to normal or forward to better? New horizons in healthcare, Dublin, 7-9th of March 2023, 2023
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 Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing., 33, (2), 2020, p61 - 66
James PD, Comiskey C, Smyth BP, "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
James P., Fida A., Konovalov P., Smyth B., Smyth B., Non-medical use of olanzapine by people on methadone treatment, BJPsych Bulletin, 40, (6), 2016, p314 - 317
Smyth Bobby P, James Philip, Cullen Walter, Darker Catherine, "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
Apantaku-Olajide, T., James, P.D., Smyth, B.P., Association of Educational Attainment and Adolescent Substance Use Disorder in a Clinical Sample, Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 23, (3), 2014, p169 - 176
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
Philip James, Rates of Psychiatric Diagnosis among clients attending an adolescent substance misuse service, Trinity College 13th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Dublin, 7-8th November 2012, 2012
Apantaku, T., James, P., Smyth, P.B., Polysubstance misuse and early school leaving among adolescents attending a community drug and alcohol treatment service, Annual Research Day of the Association for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Dublin, 12th October, 2012
Philip James, Association of Educational Attainment and Adolescent Substance Use Disorder in a Clinical Sample, Association of Child & Adolescent Mental Health"s 3rd Annual one Day Research Conference, Limerick, 28th September 2012, 2012
James, P., Smyth, B.P., Commentary on Crutzen et al. (2012), Negative associations between primary school children's perception of being allowed to drink at home and alcohol use, Mental Health and Substance Use, 5(1), 64-69, 5, (3), 2012, p268 - 270
Philip James, Rates of Psychiatric Diagnosis among clients attending an adolescent substance misuse service, Annual Research Day of the Association for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Dublin, 12th October 2011, 2011
James, P., Kearns, C, & Smyth, B., Drinking patterns and preferences among Irish substance abusing teens., Drug Interventions: what works? The National Drugs Conference of Ireland, Dublin, 3rd of November, 2011
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
Philip James, Rates of Psychiatric Diagnosis among clients attending an adolescent substance misuse service, Drug Interventions: what works? The National Drugs Conference of Ireland, Dublin, 2011
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 - 36
James, P., Kearns, C, & Smyth, Drinking patterns and preferences among Irish substance abusing teens, 10th Annual Conference of the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery, Dublin, 10th November, 2010
James Philip, Spiro David, Geoghegan Noreen, Connor Anita, Hawthorne Gail, Exploring the health concerns of people taking methadone, Nursing Times, 104, (35), 2008, p26 - 27
Philip James, Gail Hawthorne, The Health Concerns of Clients on Methadone Maintenance, RCSI 27th International Nursing Research Conference, Dublin, 21st February 2008, 2008
James Philip D, Cowman S, Psychiatric nurses' knowledge, experience and attitudes towards clients with borderline personality disorder, Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 14, (7), 2007, p670 - 678
Philip James, Knowledge, experience and attitudes of Psychiatric Nurses in Ireland towards clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, Trinity College School of Nursing Annual Conference, Dublin, 9th of November 2006, 2006
Connor, A., Geoghegan, N., James, P., Kelly, A., Hawthorne, G., Spiro, D., Nursing Health Promotion Initiative in the Addiction Services, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster, the 6th Annual Conference of the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery, Dublin, 15-16th of November, 2006
Philip James, Seamus Cowman, The knowledge, experience and attitudes of Irish Psychiatric Nurses towards clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI 25th International Research Conference, Dublin, 22-24th of February, 2006
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
Philip James, Adolescent substance use 2: harms and prevention, Guidance: Journal of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, 55, (2), 2025, p9 - 12
David McDonagh, Sonam Prakashini Banka-Cullen, Philip James, Sadie Lavelle Cafferkey, Catherine Comiskey, The prevalence, risk and protective factors and service needs in relation to the co-morbidity of substance use and neurodiversity., Trinity College Dublin / Citywide, February, 2025
Prof. Catherine Comiskey, Dr. Dave McDonagh, Dr. Prakashini Banka, Mr. Philip James, Ms. Sadie Lavelle Cafferkey & Ms. Jessica Eustace Cook, A systematic review and meta-analysis of substance use and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, March, 2025
Philip James, Adolescent Substance Use 1: overview of substances used, Guidance: Journal of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, 54, (1), 2024, p12 - 15
Chapter 12: Child, Adolescent & Young Adult in, Alcohol Use: Assessment, Withdrawal Management and Treatment: ethical practice in hospital and home. Springer International, Springer, 2023, pp179 - 192, [Philip James]
The young person in, editor(s)David B. Cooper , Ethics in Mental Health-Substance Use, Oxon, Routledge, 2017, pp219 - 235, [Philip James]
The Young Person and Suicide in, editor(s)David Cooper, Jo Cooper , Palliative Care within Mental Health: care and practice, Oxford, Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, 2014, pp135 - 148, [Philip James]
James Philip, Kearns Catriona, Campbell Ann, Smyth Bobby P, Adolescents and Substance Use: The handbook for professionals working with young people., London, CRC Press, 2013, 887 - 889pp
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Dignity in healthcare, a practical approach for nurses and midwives, by Edited by Milika Ruth Matiti & Lesley Baillie , Mental Health & Substance Use, 6, (1), 2013, p179 - 192
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Teaching psychiatry to undergraduates, by Edited by Tom Brown and John Eagles , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 20, (4), 2013, p179 - 192, pe6-e7
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Teaching psychiatry to undergraduates, by Tom Brown and John Eagles , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 20, (4), 2013, pe6-e7
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Cocaine and methamphetamine dependence: advances in treatment, by Thomas R Kosten, Thomas F Newton, Richard De La Garza II, Colin N Naile , Mental Health & Substance Use, 5, (4), 2012, p179 - 192, p356
The Child's Perspective in, editor(s)David B. Cooper , Mental Health-Substance Use Book Series: Book 3 " Responding in Mental Health-Substance Use., Oxford, Radcliffe Publishing Ltd., 2011, pp61 - 76, [James, P. & Smyth, B.]
Philip James, An Overview of Adolescent Substance Misuse Issues, Conference of the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation " Phone Triage Branch., Limerick, 2011, 2011
Philip James, Book Review, Review of The Evidence-Based Guide to Antipsychotic Medications, by Edited by Anthony J. Rothschild, M.D. , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 18, (2), 2011, p179 - 192, pe4
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Substance Use Problems (Advances in Psychotherapy: Evidence-Based Practise Series), by Mitch Earleywine , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 17, (9), 2010, p179 - 192, p854-855
Philip James, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy interventions with young cannabis users, "Chilling out or Numbing out?": Adolescent cannabis use. Conference ran by Dublin North-East Local Drug Task Force, Dublin, 2010
James Philip, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy with Substance Abusing Adolescents, The Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapist, 13, (1), 2010, p1 - 35
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Think You're Crazy? Think Again: A Resource Book for Cognitive Therapy for Psychosis, by Anthony P. Morrison, Julia C. Renton, Paul French, Richard P. Bentall , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 16, (4), 2009, p179 - 192, p417-408
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Mental Health Workers A Beginner's Guide, by Philip Kinsella, Anne Garland , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 16, (5), 2009, p179 - 192, p499-500
Edokpolo, O.,James, P., Kearns, C., Campbell, A. & Smyth, B., Differences in Psychiatric Symptomatology among adolescents attending a community drug and alcohol treatment programme, The Inaugural Conference of The College of Psychiatry of Ireland, Maynooth, 2009
Edokpolo, O., James, P., Kearns, C., Campbell, A. & Smyth, B., Differences in Psychiatric Symptomatology among adolescents attending a community drug and alcohol treatment programme, Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Addictions Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, 30 April - 1st May, 2009
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Addiction: A Treatment Planner for Clinicians, by Christos Kouimtsidis, Martina Reynolds, Colin Drummond, Paul Davis, Nicholas Tarrier , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 15, (8), 2008, p179 - 192, p701-702
Philip James, CBT in psychiatric inpatient units " a logical progression, Institute of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Annual Conference, Dublin, 22nd April 2008, 2008
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Drugs in Society: European Perspectives, by Edited by Jane Fountain and Dirk J Korf , Psychiatric of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 15, (7), 2008, p179 - 192, p612-613
Philip James, Developing in the right direction: CBT in the treatment of substance misuse, Éisteach (A Quarterly Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy), 8, (2), 2008, p26 - 31
Geoghegan, N., James, P., Connor, A., Hawthorne, G. & Spiro, D., Road blocks to a healthy recovery., Nursing in the Community, 9, (6), 2008, p24 - 26
Philip James, Book Review, Review of Understanding Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction, by Gregory R. Bock (Editor), Jamie A. Goode (Editor) , Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 14, (6), 2007, p179 - 192, p618-619
Philip James, Remembering Albert Ellis: perfectly human, Mental Health Practice, 11, (2), 2007, p22 - 22
Philip James, Scary Daleks and the Extraordinary Remedies " a consideration of some of the criticisms of CBT., Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Annual Conference, Dublin, 8th of May 2007, 2007
Philip James, A brief overview of Borderline Personality Disorder, Scottish Nurse, 10, (8), 2006, p30 - 31
Philip James, Non-judgemental care: helping nurses overcome their negative attitudes to patients., All Ireland Journal of Nursing & Midwifery, 2, (8), 2003, p18 - 21
Philip James, The Tidal Model: the Crumlin experience, The Tidal Model Inaugural Irish Conference, Dublin, 30th of October 2003, 2003
Philip James, A place for Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) in the practice of psychiatric nursing., Irish Nurse, 4, (7), 2002, p14 - 16
Research Expertise
Description
My primary area of research interest is substance use, particularly in relation to adolescents. Overall my interests include Substance Use, Adolescence, Dual Diagnosis, Cannabis / Marijuana, Borderline Personality DisorderProjects
- Title
- Minding the baby! Minding the Parent!
- Summary
- Tender submitted to the North Inner City Drug Task Force to examine the experience of parenting by those who also use substances. The study aims to explore the experiences and needs of parents who use substances. The proposed study will employ a variety of methods to "gather data on the need for and availability of long-term support for parents in addiction" and to examine the potential "trauma generated from losing their children" as requested in the tender document. This work will be broken into five work packages (WP): 1. A literature review, using a systematic approach, on the needs of and responses to parents who use substances. 2. Face to face surveys with parents who use substances which will gather rich quantitative and qualitative data. 3. Qualitative interviews with key services in the North Inner city to explore the need for and availability of supports for parents in various services. 4. Quantitative review of NTDRS initial assessment and treatment data " covering the period of the current National Drug Strategy (2017-most recent data available). 5. Propose a model to best address the needs of parents who use substances.
- Funding Agency
- North Inner City Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force
Recognition
Memberships
British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive psychotherapies
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
International Nursing Society on Addictions