

Drugs, alcohol and addictive behaviours
Our research group encompasses all aspects of addictive behaviour. Our activity is focused on research that has clear relevance to harm reduction.
Our research
We utilise both quantitative and qualitative research approaches and have a track record of carrying out research collaboratively with colleagues outside the School of Psychology – locally, nationally and internationally. We have a particular interest (together with colleagues from other research groups) in digital interventions and innovative approaches to data collection.
Example projects
Examples of our current work includes:
- A validation of the diagnostic criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder in the DSM-V among the esports community (PsychD)
- An exploration of cognitive deficits of Khat users in UK and East Africa (PhD, funded by SSA)
- A qualitative study of online access to help / support for gamblers (PhD).
Ogochukwu O, Dumbili E, Patton R & Olley B (2020) Alcohol labelling regulations in Nigeria and Industry compliance: Evidence to guide policy implementation. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (in press) [2.5] (Q1)
Ogochukwu O & Patton R (2020) Fitting a quart in a pint pot: A comparison of the ABV of alcoholic drinks produced in Nigeria and the UK. Drugs Education, Prevention & Policy DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2020.1740652 [0.68] (Q2)
Gamblin D, Tobutt C & Patton, R. (2020) Alcohol identification and intervention in the English criminal justice system: A review. Journal of Substance Use DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2020.1745311 [0.67] (Q3)
Deluca P, Coulton S, Patton R et al. (2020) Screening and brief interventions for adolescent alcohol use disorders presenting through emergency departments: a research programme including two RCTs. Programme Grants for Applied Research 8(2) DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/pgfar08020
Lynch E, McGovern R, Patton R et al. (2019). Adolescent perspectives about their participation in alcohol intervention research in emergency care: a qualitative exploration using ethical principles as an analytical framework. PLoS ONE 14(6): e0217855. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217855 [2.77] (Q1)
Salamat S, Hegarty P & Patton R. (2019). Same clinic, different conceptions: Drug users and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of how stigma affects clinical care. Journal of Applied Social Psychology.49(8):534-545 DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12602 [1.95] (Q1)*
Coulton S, Alam M, Patton R et al. 2018. Opportunistic screening for alcohol use problems in adolescents attending emergency departments: an evaluation of screening tools, Journal of Public Health. 41(1):e53-e60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdy049 [2.12] (Q1)
Patton R & Green G. 2018. Alcohol screening and intervention in English Emergency Departments. Emergency Medicine Journal. 35:75-78 DOI:http:// dx.doi.org/10.1136/ emermed-2017-206677 [1.86] (Q1)
Odeigah O, Olley B & Patton R. 2018. Nigeria: A country in need of an alcohol strategy. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 79(2), 318-319 DOI:https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2018.79.318 [2.5] (Q1)
Fincham-Campbell S, Kimergard A, Patton R et al. 2018. A national survey of assertive outreach treatment services for people who frequently attend hospital due to alcohol related reasons in England. Alcohol & Alcoholism DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agx095 [2.75] (Q1)
Davis P, Patton R & Jackson S (2017) Addiction: Psychology & Treatment. London, BPS Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-48975-8
Coulton S, Deluca P, Patton R et al. 2017. Screening for at-risk alcohol consumption in primary care: a randomised evaluation of screening approaches, Alcohol & Alcoholism. 52(3):312-317 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agx017 [2.72] (Q1)
Donoghue K, Deluca P, Patton R et al. 2017. Alcohol consumption, early onset drinking and health-related consequences in adolescents presenting to Emergency Departments, Journal of Adolescent Health. 60(4):438-446 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.11.017 [4.14] (Q1)
Patton R. & Boniface S. 2015. Prevalence of hazardous drinking among UK 18-35 year olds; the impact of a revision to the AUDIT cut score. Alcohol & Alcoholism. 51(3):281-282 DOI:http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/10/03/alcalc.agv115 [2.72] (Q1)
Deluca P, Coulton S, Patton R et al. 2015. Linked randomised controlled trials of face-to-face and electronic brief intervention methods to prevent alcohol related harm in young people aged 14–17 years presenting to Emergency Departments (SIPS junior). BMC Public Health. 15:345. DOI:10.1186/s12889-015-1679-4 [2.32] (Q1)
Rahim M. & Patton R. 2015. The association between shame and substance use in young people: a Systematic Review. PeerJ. DOI:10.7717/peerj.737 [2.1] (Q1)*
Newbury-Birch D, Coulton S, Patton R et al. 2014. Alcohol screening and brief interventions for offenders in the probation setting (SIPS Trial): a pragmatic multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial. Alcohol & Alcoholism. DOI:10.1093/alcalc/agu046 [2.72] (Q1)
Donoghue K, Patton R, Phillips T, Deluca P & Drummond C. 2014. The effectiveness of electronic Screening and Brief Intervention (eSBI) for reducing levels of alcohol consumption. A Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Internet Medical Research. 16(6):e142. DOI:10.2196/jmir.3193 [5.58] (Q1)
Deluca P, Coulton S, Patton R et al. 2014, The effectiveness of alcohol screening and brief intervention in emergency departments: a multicentre pragmatic cluster RCT. PLoS ONE. 9(6):e99463. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0099463 [3.73] (Q1)
Patton R & Marshall EJ, 2014, Physician heal thyself: Results from a single hospital pilot survey of alcohol consumption among general hospital patients and staff. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 75(1):189-190 [2.61] (Q1)
Patton R, Deluca P, Phillips T, Kaner E, Newbury-Birch D & Drummond C. 2014. Alcohol screening & brief intervention for adolescents: The how, what and where of reducing alcohol consumption and related harm among young people. Alcohol & Alcoholism. 49(2): 207-212 DOI:10.1093/alcalc/agt165 [3.15] (Q1)
Meet the team
Research group lead

Dr Bob Patton
Lecturer in Clinical Psychology
Research group members

Professor Grant Devilly
Research Fellow, Griffith University, Australia