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
Reducing The Burden Of Alcohol And Other Drug Use In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,805.00
Summary
Innovative research undertaken during the Fellowship program will provide new evidence of how best to respond to alcohol and other drug use. Partnerships with policymakers will ensure this evidence underpins Australian alcohol and other drug policy.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of N-acetylcysteine For The Treatment Of Alcohol Use Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,294,923.00
Summary
We urgently require new treatment strategies. Alcohol misuse is a leading cause of preventable death yet treatment options are limited. We will undertake the first human trial of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the management of alcohol use disorder (NAC-AUD). The NAC-AUD project will evaluate the efficacy and cost-efficacy of NAC to reduce alcohol consumption. The results will generate high level clinical evidence for a safe new treatment for a common life threatening disease.
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.
Reducing The Health, Social And Economic Burden Of Injecting Drug Use In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,606,037.00
Summary
Injecting drug use (IDU) is a disproportionately large source of health and social harm. This CRE unites Australia’s leading scientists in the IDU field – researchers working on blood-borne virus epidemiology and treatment, overdose prevention, justice health and psychiatric health - and experts from key non-government organisations. The CRE will develop new ways to improve the health of injecting drug users, and reduce the health and social burden of IDU to the Australian community.
Public Health Challenges And Opportunities Of Internet Technologies For The Study Of New And Emerging Psychoactive Substance Use And Related Health Harms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,929.00
Summary
New psychoactive drugs that mimic the effects of prohibited drugs are increasingly available in Australia, and there is mounting evidence of their harmful health effects. This research examines the challenges and opportunities of internet technologies for understanding trends in new and emerging drug use and harms. Findings will inform the development of more effective public health responses to reduce morbidity and mortality from new psychoactive drugs and other illicit drug use.
Understanding Complex Genomic And Biochemical Landscapes In Human Health Microbiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,210,520.00
Summary
There is increasing awareness of the critical roles microbes play in health. The microbes in our gut produce chemicals that control everything from our moods, to food metabolism and immune system function. In this proposal leading-edge technologies from the disciplines of microbiology, genomics, mass-spectrometry and computational biology will be used to reveal for the first time how and why these chemicals are produced by microbes in complex systems that are important for human health.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Hepatitis B Vaccine Completion In Injecting Drug Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,355.00
Summary
This randomised trial will examine strategies to increase hepatitis B vaccination in drug users by comparing 1) usual clinical care; 2) enhanced outreach; and 3) financial incentive payments and assessing the proportion in each group who a) complete all 3 doses and b) develop immunity. Results will provide policy-makers and clinicians with important data on effectiveness, including cost effectiveness, and will help scientists and affected communities prepare for clinical trials of new vaccines.