Associate Professor Raffaella Margherita Milani

Course Leader - Addiction Studies

School of Human and Social Sciences

raffaella.milani@uwl.ac.uk

Associate Professor Raffaella Margherita Milani is a Chartered Psychologist and Course Leader for Addiction Studies (undergraduate and postgraduate level).

She is a member of the British Psychological Society, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Trustee of Addiction Professionals and a member of the advisory board for the International Substance Use Professionals UK (ISSUP-UK).

Her main area of research has been the effects of ecstasy polydrug use on mental well-being. She also published in the areas of gender differences, binge drinking and sexual behaviour. In recent years her consultancy and research work has shifted towards the evaluation of applied interventions, in particular for individuals with co-existing addiction and mental health problems (“dual diagnosis”) and multiple needs. She is also researching in the area of inclusive practice and policy for marginalised groups.

She has extensive experience in curriculum and workforce development in the drug and alcohol sector and has been involved in the consultation for the development of NICE Guidelines on the topics of drug misuse and coexisting mental health and substance misuse problems.

Qualifications

Clinical and Experimental Psychology (MSc equiv) (University of Padua), PhD (University of East London)
Memberships

British Psychological Society (BPS)
Faculty of Addiction
Member of the Society for the Study of Addiction
The British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP)
Trustee of Addiction Professionals
Member of the Higher Education Academy
Advisory Board for the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)

Teaching

I am a chartered psychologist, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Trustee of Addiction Professionals. I have researched the effect of ecstasy polydrug use on mental wellbeing and also published in the areas of gender, binge drinking and sexual behaviour.

I teach on the following modules:

Addiction Treatment Interventions - Level 6 and Level 7
Dual Diagnosis: Substance Use and Mental Health - Level 6 and Level 7
Substance Use and Infectious Diseases - Level 6 and Level 7

Research

See Raffaella Margherita Milani's publications list in the UWL Repository.

Research and publications

Journal articles
Taylor, C., Lafarge, C., Cahill, S., Milani, R.M., Gorzing, A. (2022) Living through lockdown: A qualitative exploration of individuals’ experiences in the UK. Health and Social Care in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13772
Milani, R.M., Keller, A., Roush, S. (2021) Dual diagnosis anonymous (DDA) and the transition to online support during COVID-19. Journal of Concurrent Disorders. ISSN 2562-7546
Milani, R.M. & Perrino (2021) "Alcohol and Mental Health: co-occurring Alcohol Use and Mental Health Disorders" in Fings, D. and Albery, I.P. (Eds) The Handbook of Alcohol Use: Understandings from Synapse to Society. London: Elsevier, Academic Press. pp 79 - 105
Milani, R.M., Nahar, K., Ware, D., Butler, A., Roush, S., Smith, D., Perrino, L. and O’Donnell, J. (2020) A qualitative longitudinal study of the first UK Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA), an integrated peer-support programme for concurrent disorders. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 13 (4). pp. 151-167. ISSN 1757-0972
Milani, R.M (2017) Substance misuse assessment in mental health services: the role of professional curiosity. Psychology and Psychological Research International Journal https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/4107/
Milani, R.M., (2017) A place to Listen. Drink and Drug News. July/Aug 16-17
Townshend, M.J., Kambouropoulos, N., Hunt, F.J., Griffin, A. & Milani, R.M. (2014) Binge Drinking, Reflection Impulsivity and Unplanned Sexual Behaviour: Impaired Decision-Making in Young Social Drinkers. Alcoholism: Clinical and experimental Research 38(4): 1143-50.
Milani, R.M., Turner, J.J.D. & Parrott, A.C. (2011) The Contribution of Ecstasy Dependence and Stress to Ecstasy/MDMA-Related Psychiatric Symptoms. The Open Addiction Journal 4: 30-31.
Clive, T. & Milani, R.M. (2010) Comparing two counselling styles for hazardous drinkers charged with alcohol-related offences in a police custody suite: piloting motivational interviewing brief intervention or a standard brief intervention to reduce alcohol consumption. Advances in Dual Diagnosis 3(4): 20-33.
Milani, R.M. (Reviewer) (2010) Fiestas, F., Radovanovic, M., Martins, S.S., Medina-Mora, M.E., Posada-Villa, J. & Anthony, J. (2010)
Cross-national differences in clinically significant cannabis problems: epidemiologic evidence from cannabis-only smokers in the United States, Mexico, and Colombia. Biomedical Central (digital publication).
Parrott, A.C., Selmi, D., Milani, R.M., Daumann, J. & Gouzoulis-Mayfrank, E. (2007) Cannabis smoking by recreational MDMA/Ecstasy users: might the antioxidant properties of cannabinoids modulate the neurotoxic effects of MDMA? Behavioural Pharmacology.
Milani, R.M., Parrott, A.C., Schifano, F. & Turner, J.J. (2005) Pattern of cannabis use in ecstasy polydrug users: moderate cannabis use may compensate for self-rated aggression and somatic symptoms. Human Psychopharmacology 20(4): 249-61.
Milani, R.M., Parrott, A.C., Turner, J.J. & Fox, H.C. (2004) Gender differences in self-reported anxiety, depression and somatisation among ecstasy/MDMA users, poly-drug users, alcohol/tobacco users and non-drug users. Addictive Behaviours 29(5): 965-971.
Parrott, A.C., Fox, H. & Milani, R.M. (2003) Cannabis, ecstasy/MDMA and memory: a commentary on Simon & Mattick's recent study. Addiction 98(7): 1003-4; author reply 1004-5.

Parrott, A.C., Milani, R.M. & Turner, J.J. (2002) Ecstasy and the SCL-90 findings: a reply to Cole et al. Psychopharmacology 162(2): 218-222.
Parrott, A.C., Milani, R.M., Parmar, R. & Turner J.J. (2001) Recreational ecstasy/MDMA and other drug users from the UK and Italy: psychiatric symptoms and psychobiological problems. Psychopharmacology 159(1): 77-82.
Parrott, A.C.. Milani, R., Parmar, R. & Turner, J.J. (2000) Recreational drug use and psychobiological problems:Collaborative UK/Italy study: overview and main findings. Journal of Psychopharmacology 4(3): A14 (abstract).

Milani, R. & Schifano, F. (2000) Neuropsychological problems associated with Ecstasy use. Journal of Psychopharmacology 4(3): A14 (abstract).
Milani R, Turner JJD, Parrott AC, Parmar R (2000) Recreational drug use and psychobiological problems: collaborative UK/Italy study: Ecstasy (MDMA) polydrug user findings. Journal of Psychopharmacology 4(3): A15 (abstract).
Milani, R. & Curran, H.V. (2000) Effects of a low dose of alcohol on recollective experience of illusory memory. Psychopharmacology 147: 397-402.
Milani, R.M. (2000) Ecstasy (MDMA): A humaneurotoxin? Neuropsychobiology 42: 46 (abstract).
Conferences

Conference presentations and/or papers
Milani RM, Taylor C., Stewart K, Rowlett, P. (2022) The co-production of an employability framework for the School of Human and Social Sciences. UWL: Teaching and Learning Festival
2020 (Dec) Assessing the effectiveness of a peer-lead programme for people with co-occurring disorders. Mad in America. Online talk- USA-UK collaboration.
2018 (invited speaker) Benefits and risks of digital technology in children. University of Venice, Italy.
Milani, R.M., (2018) Preliminary findings of the evaluation of the first UK pilot of Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA). 3^rd international congress on addictive behaviour and dual diagnosis. Stockholm. 16-17 August.
Milani R.M., Nahar Keisha, Ware, D., Butler A. (2019) Dual Diagnosis Anonymous: an integrated peer led approach to co-existing mental and addictive disorders. EMCCDA European Addiction Conference: Lisbon, 23-25 October.
Milani R.M., Lafarge, C., Worrell, M., Siobhan, L. (2019) The Experiences of Postgraduate Research Students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Background: An Exploratory Study. University of West London Research Conference. July 2019, London.
Milani R.M. (2019) Overview of Illegal psychoactive drugs and their effect on Mental Health. Spring Conference of the British Pharmaceutical Student Association, 2nf February 2019, University of Huddersfield, UK.
Milani R.M. (2018). Working in Partnership to Tackle Drug Misuse. 8^th May (chair and invited speaker), Inside Government, London
Milani, R.M. (2018) (invited speaker) Ensuring adherence to the NICE guideline for severe mental illness and substance misuse, Improving the management of severe mental illness and
substance misuse. Healthcare Conferences (invited speaker). 11^th March. London: The Vere West One.
Milani, R.M. (2017)Chair and Invited Speaker) Implementing the new NICE guidelines for severe mental illness and substance misuse (Dual Diagnosis). Improving the management of severe mental illness and substance misuse: Dual Diagnosis.
Milani, R.M. (2016). UK alcohol policies, moving forward. In: Addressing the Impact of Alcohol Misuse on Public Health. Public Policy UK. 28 Apr (Expert Panellist), London, UK.
Corcoran, C., Townshend, J., Milani, R.M., Hunt, F. (2016) Facial Emotion Recognition with Different Patterns of Alcohol Consumption: An Eye Tracking Study. Proceeding of the BPS Cognitive Psychology Section Annual Conference, Barcelona.
Perrino, L., Milani, R.M.(2016) An investigation of Alcohol Drinking Patterns and Motives in Italy and UK.Proceeding of the BPS Cognitive Psychology Section Annual Conference, Barcelona
Milani R.M., Townshend M.J., Hunt, F.J. & Griffin, A. (2013) Binge drinking, alcohol expectancies and unplanned sexual behaviour: an exploration of gender differences. Division of Health Psychology BPS Annual Conference, Brighton.
Milani, R.M., Turner, J.J. & Parrott, A.C. (2010) Poster presentation: The interactive psychological effects of levels of stress and ecstasy dependence, MDMA Symposium, Monash University, Australia.
Milani R.M. & Parrott A.C. (2004) Poster presentation: Psychiatric Symptoms may be associated with Ecstasy dependence rather than Ecstasy lifetime dose, International Conference of Biological Psychiatry, Sydney, Australia.
Milani, R.M., Parrott A.C. & Turner J.J. (2004) Poster presentation: Gender differences in self-reported problems among ecstasy/MDMA users, poly-drug users, alcohol/tobacco users and non-drug users, 2nd UK National Drug Treatment Conference.
Parrott, A.C., Milani, R.M., Turner, J.J. & Schifano, F. (2002) Recreational ecstasy (MDMA) polydrug use: the psychiatric symptoms and psychobiological problems associated with cigarette smoking and other psychoactive drugs, The British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) 2002 Summer Meeting, Harrogate, UK.
Milani, A.C., Parrott, A.C. & Turner, J.J. (2002) Cannabis use in ecstasy users, Neuropsychopharmacology of Cannabis and Ecstasy, Brno, Czech Republic.
Fox, H.C. & Milani, R.M. (2002) Certain components of attentional functioning may be preserved in the early stages of ecstasy polydrug use, Neuropsychopharmacology of Cannabis and Ecstasy, Brno, Czech Republic.
Milani, R.M., Parrott, A.C., Turner, J.J. & Fox, H.C.(2001) Sexual function: a comparison between non-drug users and recreational drug users, BAP - CCNP Joint Meeting Banff, Canada.
Milani, R.M., Parrot, A.C. & Turner, J.J. (2001) Poster presentation: Sexual functioning: a comparison between non-drug users and recreational drug users, BAP Summer Meeting 2001, Harrogate, UK.
Milani, R.M, Parrott, A.C. & Turner, J.J. (2001) Self reported 'problematic' and 'non-problematic' Ecstasy/MDMA users in relation to psychiatric symptoms profile and patterns of drug use, 5th Dutch Endo-Neuro Meeting, Doorwerth, Netherlands.
Fox, H.C. & Milani, R.M. (2001) Certain components of attentional functioning may be preserved in the early stages of Ecstasy polydrug use, 5th Dutch Endo-Neuro Meeting, Doorwerth, Netherlands.
Research degree supervision

Principal Supervisor
Emotion Recognition and Visual Scan Paths in Social Drinkers. (Carmel Corcoran)
Understanding comorbidity through the policing of Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities suffering from co-existing mental and substance misuse problems in the UK. (Mark Duncan)
Use of Social media in young people: predictive factors for positive and negative outcomes
The experience of people with alcohol and drug dependence in accessing and receiving treatment and support
Second Supervisor
An exploration into cross cultural experiences and differences in alcohol drinking patterns of British (London) and Italian (Milan) social drinkers. (Luisa Perrino) - awarded January 2018
The role of the Church in offering pastoral care during the Covid-19 pandemic
Third Supervisory
Exploring the effectiveness of a weight management intervention when enhanced by wearable devices in Cardiovascular Disease prevention. (Weronika Reed)