Longitudinal Treatment Outcomes For Methamphetamine Dependence: A Treatment Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,500.00
Summary
Australia has a substantial and growing population of problematic stimulant users, namely dependent or injecting methamphetamine users, with methamphetamine injection accounting for one-third of all injecting drug use. Methamphetamine dependence has been associated with serious physical and mental health problems, including psychosis, depression, stroke and general poor health and wellbeing. Increasing numbers of people are presenting for treatment of methamphetamine dependence and many are expe ....Australia has a substantial and growing population of problematic stimulant users, namely dependent or injecting methamphetamine users, with methamphetamine injection accounting for one-third of all injecting drug use. Methamphetamine dependence has been associated with serious physical and mental health problems, including psychosis, depression, stroke and general poor health and wellbeing. Increasing numbers of people are presenting for treatment of methamphetamine dependence and many are experiencing other psychiatric problems like drug-induced psychosis and depression. Currently little is known about people who present for treatment of methamphetamine dependence, including how many have other serious mental health problems that need treatment in their own right. Nor is it known whether the treatment they receive for their methamphetamine use is effective in reducing their drug use or improving their mental health status. The current study will provide much needed information on people seeking treatment for methamphetamine dependence in Australia, including their psychiatric status, and whether the treatment they receive for methamphetamine dependence is effective in reducing their drug use and related health problems or improving their mental health status. These aims will be met by assessing drug use, psychiatric status, treatment experience as well as general health and well being among a cohort of people entering treatment for methamphetamine use in Sydney. Responses to treatment will be assessed at 3 months and 12 months following treatment entry and outcomes will be compared to a group of methamphetamine users not receiving treatment. This is the first study in Australia to assess the effectiveness of treatment that is provided to methamphetamine users in an everyday treatment setting. It is also the first study internationally to focus on treatment outcome for methamphetamine dependence in a community setting.Read moreRead less
Developing Novel Neuroreceptor And Channel Therapies For Pain And Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,375.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a growing and poorly treated global health burden. There is a great need for novel pain therapeutics. We are discovering novel drug targets in pain pathways in the nervous system and new therapeutic molecules that selectively block information flow in pain nerves. Strong pain relieving drugs like morphine also lose their effectiveness after long periods of use. We are finding mechanisms responsible for this thereby providing a rational basis for development of better opioids and ....Chronic pain is a growing and poorly treated global health burden. There is a great need for novel pain therapeutics. We are discovering novel drug targets in pain pathways in the nervous system and new therapeutic molecules that selectively block information flow in pain nerves. Strong pain relieving drugs like morphine also lose their effectiveness after long periods of use. We are finding mechanisms responsible for this thereby providing a rational basis for development of better opioids and pain treatments.Read moreRead less
Determining Patterns Of Cessation And Relapse In A Cohort Of People Who Inject Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,189,791.00
Summary
Harms related to injecting drug use represent the bulk of the burden attributable to illicit drugs in Australia. In this study we will determine rates of long term cessation of injecting drug use, and relapse, and key drivers of these outcomes such as drug treatment or housing provision. Findings will inform policy and practice around injecting drug use in Australia over the coming decade.
Mental Health And Substance Use: Understanding, Preventing And Treating
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,065.00
Summary
Mental & substance use disorders account for more years of disability than any other disorder. In young adults the top 10 causes of burden of disease are dominated by mental and substance use disorders. I lead an international program of research in the combined areas of mental health & substance abuse, and am recognised as a leading international expert. My research aims to increase our understanding of drug & alcohol and mental disorders, prevent where possible and improve treatment responses.
A Double Blind Placebo Randomised Controlled Trial Of Sativex In The Management Of Cannabis Withdrawal
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,626.00
Summary
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia with an estimated 300,000 individuals with cannabis use disorder in Australia. Treatment presentations for cannabis have more than doubled over the last 10 years, yet there is still no medication to help with withdrawal. This proposal will test pure active ingredients in cannabis in a preparation sprayed in the mouth, to wean individuals from cannabis. This will assist them to complete cannabis withdrawal.
Ethanol abuse, alcoholism and the medical complications of excessive drinking are now major health problems worldwide. The alcohol dependence syndrome is characterised by tolerance and physical dependence ( the presence of a withdrawal syndrome). Ethanol withdrawal, in addition, to being a health hazard in itself, can act as a negative reinforcer to promote continued ethanol consumption. Alcohol dependence can be considered to result from adaptive changes produced by the chronic presence of etha ....Ethanol abuse, alcoholism and the medical complications of excessive drinking are now major health problems worldwide. The alcohol dependence syndrome is characterised by tolerance and physical dependence ( the presence of a withdrawal syndrome). Ethanol withdrawal, in addition, to being a health hazard in itself, can act as a negative reinforcer to promote continued ethanol consumption. Alcohol dependence can be considered to result from adaptive changes produced by the chronic presence of ethanol in the brain. In this research programme we will learn more about the adaptive changes in the NMDA receptors, the major excitatory receptors in the brain. Current psychopharmacologic management of human alcoholism is limited and suboptimal. We will explore the efficacy of drugs to control behaviours and withdrawal-induced brain cell death. Effective treatment of the syndrome is crucial since withdrawal induces changes, which increases the severity of subsequent withdrawal episodes and its associated brain damage. The outcomes of this research will be a better understand of the underlying changes involved in ethanol dependence and better therapies to ameliorate the withdrawal syndrome.Read moreRead less
Implementing Population-specific Psychosocial Interventions To Optimise Treatment, Care And Support Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use Methamphetamine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,068,044.00
Summary
Methamphetamine dependence is a key public health priority and men who have sex with men are identified as a priority population. Our partnership will develop interventions which will be linked to the cohort data to permit us to monitor the impact on health outcomes and access to care and support over time. The findings will support the process of creating and evaluating innovations with the ultimate goal of improving access to care and support and reducing dependence and its harmful outcomes.