Working Life: Nothing more satisfying than seeing a young person overcome their challenge

Professor Bobby Smyth, HSE adolescent addiction psychiatrist, Dublin

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025 - 01:00

Catherine Shanahan

“Most of my childhood was spent in Longford. Since I started studying medicine, I have lived most of my adult life in Dublin. My training and career have also taken me to Liverpool and Brisbane.

“My decision to study medicine was a last-minute one. It took a few years to find a path I really enjoyed as a doctor. This occurred when I had my first experience working in child and adolescent psychiatry. I enjoyed the variety, challenge, and complexity.

“I had also done some work in addiction and had embarked on research into drug problems. Fortunately, a post was created in adolescent addiction in Dublin, so I was able to work in a service which married my two areas of interest.

“My work involves a mix of clinical tasks alongside my colleagues, provision of some support to staff in services outside Dublin, planning service development, advocacy activities, and a bit of research in Trinity.

“In the past two decades, I’ve seen substance use issues change greatly. The heroin problem has largely vanished from adolescents, while cannabis and alcohol have come to dominate. The services we provide have had to evolve.

“Teenagers who attend our services come from all types of backgrounds. While not everyone does well, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a young person overcome their challenges. We act a bit like the sherpas but they, and their family, have to climb their own personal Everest ultimately.

“A few years after my sons were born, I began to think more about that world into which they were venturing. I began to wonder more about prevention, about how societal changes had the potential to reduce alcohol and drug problems in our youth. I was fortunate to have worked with mentors like Prof Joe Barry, who had experience in public health and a track record in advocacy. I began to add my voice to those advocating for changes at community, family, and legislative levels in the hope of reducing the numbers who would end up needing our treatment services.

“Today, students will be receiving their Leaving Certificate results and may wish to celebrate this important milestone. The HSE is urging parents to have a brief, focused conversation about personal safety, and alcohol and drugs, prior to planned celebrations.”