Karen Megranahan
Current research interest is focussed on the effectiveness of creative arts as an intervention treatment for substance misuse. Broad research interests include non-pharmacological treatments for embedded long-term substance misuse with untreated trauma and drug induced psychosis.
Previous experience as a business entrepreneur and founder of a leading international employee assistance programme, holds an MSc in Addiction Studies from IOPPN, Kings College London, UK.
Related publications include ‘Do creative arts therapies reduce substance misuse? A systematic review’ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2017.10.005; ‘The research output on interventions for the behavioural risk factors alcohol & drug use and dietary risk is not related to their respective burden of ill health in countries at differing world bank income levels’ http://www.jogh.org/documents/issue202002/jogh-10-020401.pdf.
Future opportunities of interest embrace continuation of investigative and implementation research to inform and deliver new approaches to advance effectiveness in UK substance misuse treatment services.
Non-pharmacological interventions for substance misuse: A rapid overview of Cochrane systematic reviews
Aim: The range of nonpharmacological interventions available for substance misuse.
Method: Cochrane systematic reviews were matched to the inclusion criteria and data extracted.
Results: a total of 503 studies and 471898 participants are included. The nonpharmacological interventions found fall into three categories: information, non-specialised face to face and qualified therapeutic interventions.
Conclusion: A wide range of nonpharmacological interventions are being used to treat substance misuse despite the lack of supporting effectiveness evidence.
Poster link: Non-pharmacological interventions for substance misuse: A rapid overview of Cochrane systematic reviews