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The Efficacy Of An Intervention For PTSD Among Illicit Drug Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,219.00
Summary
The high prevalence of PTSD among people with illicit drug use disorders (IDUD) has been clearly recognised in both the Australian and international literature. In Australia, 33% of those with opioid use disorders and 24% of those with amphetamine use disorders have comorbid PTSD. The prevalence among people with alcohol use disorders on the other hand, is comparably low (5%). Despite the high prevalence of PTSD among people with IDUD, research on treatment responses to this significant problem ....The high prevalence of PTSD among people with illicit drug use disorders (IDUD) has been clearly recognised in both the Australian and international literature. In Australia, 33% of those with opioid use disorders and 24% of those with amphetamine use disorders have comorbid PTSD. The prevalence among people with alcohol use disorders on the other hand, is comparably low (5%). Despite the high prevalence of PTSD among people with IDUD, research on treatment responses to this significant problem is sparse. Individuals with this comorbidity present a significant challenge to substance abuse treatment providers as they present with a poorer clinical profile, and have poorer treatment outcomes, including higher readmission rates. Consequently, they are a costly burden to the health care system. The costs of this comorbidity to individual sufferers and society may be reduced substantially by the implementation of an integrated treatment that addresses both disorders concurrently. There is however, little research to guide how best to treat comorbid IDUD and PTSD. Although a small number of interventions have been developed and trialled, none have been evaluated in an Australian setting. One intervention which has shown promise in the United States is Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorder (CTPSD). Preliminary research has shown that CTPSD can be used safely and is effective in the treatment of PTSD among individuals with cocaine dependence. Completers of the program have demonstrated significant reductions in all PTSD symptom clusters and cocaine use from baseline to end of treatment which were maintained at 6 month follow-up. Significant reductions in depressive symptoms were also observed. Despite these promising results, CTPSD is yet to undergo a randomised controlled trial. The proposed study is a randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of CTPSD in the Australian setting.Read moreRead less
Toward A Comprehensive Picture Of The Epidemiology Of Alcohol And Illicit Drug Use Disorders: Novel Analyses Of The World Health Organization's World Mental Health Surveys
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$734,155.00
Summary
Alcohol and illicit drug use are among the biggest risk factors for disease burden, but there is much that is not known about the natural history of substance use. This study involves analysis of data from the WHO World Mental Health Survey (WMHS) initiative, which contains data on >160,000 participants from more than 31 countries. This study will examine the patterns and predictors of substance use problems, using novel statistical techniques predict who is at greatest risk.
Defining The Clinical Role Of Topiramate In The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,836.00
Summary
We urgently require new strategies for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The effectiveness of currently approved alcohol medications is limited. Emerging data suggests that topiramate has robust effectiveness and that better medicine selection is possible for patients based on their genotype. We propose to conduct a double-blind randomised controlled trial to examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of topiramate using a genetically based personalised approach.
An RCT Of Cannabinoid Replacement Therapy (Sativex®) For The Management Of Treatment-resistant Cannabis Dependent Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,133.00
Summary
This project is the first-ever outpatient RCT to test if the pharmaceutical cannabinoid Sativex can safely and cost-effectively deliver better treatment outcomes for patients seeking treatment for chronic cannabis dependence. Sativex is a mouth spray with equal parts THC and cannabidiol, and appears to have a safer pharmacological profile than illicit cannabis or synthetic THC alone. Thus Sativex may lead to lower rates of psychiatric adverse events and increased cannabis abstinence rates.
The Aetiology Of Alcohol Use Disorders In Adulthood: A Generational Perspective
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,927.00
Summary
This study aims to investigate the causes of alcohol problems in adult Australians. We will follow-up participants from a birth cohort study who are now in their thirties. We will assess long term outcomes from in-utero exposure to alcohol and biological, developmental and genetic predictors of alcohol disorders in adulthood. This study also aims to study genetic factors which may be important in the development of alcohol abuse and dependence.