Single-focussed Versus Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy For Co-occurring Depression And Alcohol Use Problems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$777,500.00
Summary
This study is significant and timely in that it proposes a large-scale randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for people with co-occurring depression and alcohol use problems. To date, very few researchers have conducted research within this population, whose complex presentation makes it difficult for treatment providers to select and deliver effective treatment programs. Thus, although rates of depressive disorders and alcohol use problems are on the increase in our c ....This study is significant and timely in that it proposes a large-scale randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for people with co-occurring depression and alcohol use problems. To date, very few researchers have conducted research within this population, whose complex presentation makes it difficult for treatment providers to select and deliver effective treatment programs. Thus, although rates of depressive disorders and alcohol use problems are on the increase in our community, it is still not clear how best to manage and treat this group of people. Typically, people will often receive treatment for one part of their presentation, for example their depression or alcohol use problem. However, it is uncommon for the two conditions to be treated in an integrated way. This is certainly true for psychological treatments. Research programs to date have explored effective treatments for depression and alcohol use in the absence of the co-occurring condition. Currently it is not known how well people with co-occurring alcohol use problems and depression respond to treatments with a singular focus. Furthermore, it is not known whether integrating both alcohol use and depressive treatment approaches provides any additional benefit. This study is therefore significant, as it is one of the first to explore effective treatment approaches among people with co-occurring depressive and alcohol use problems. Resolution of these issues will better inform the treatment choices of clinicians practicing in both mental health and alcohol-other drug settings. Importantly, this will potentially improve the match between treatment and people with depression and substance use problems, a clinically prevalent population encountered in community settings.Read moreRead less
Progressing Life Course Research In Psychiatric Epidemiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,674.00
Summary
Mental health and alcohol disorders are major public health problems which cause long-term disabilities, poor health and early mortality. Addressing these problems requires a better understanding of the early factors leading to these disorders. This research program represents a unique opportunity to increase our knowledge of the origins of these disorders and significantly contribute to improved mental health and alcohol prevention policies and programs.
Reducing The Key Alcohol And Other Drug Related Harms In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
I am a leading alcohol and other drug researcher with an established national and international reputation for high quality research and translation. Over the next five years I will tackle the three key issues in the alcohol and other drug field: injecting drug use, methamphetamine use and harms and high risk drinking by young people, by developing, implementing and testing new interventions.
Empowering Young People To Make Positive Health Choices: Translation Of Evidence-based Drug And Alcohol Prevention To Australian Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$177,197.00
Summary
Effective prevention and early intervention for alcohol and other drug use disorders is available but not widely implemented in schools. Through the use of digital technologies this project will facilitate transportability of evidence-based approaches into everyday teaching, parenting, and school-based counselling practice. By bringing together research and practice this project maximises the potential of these approaches to reduce the considerable burden of alcohol and drug use disorders.
Genetic And Environmental Determinants Of Tobacco And Alcohol Use Trajectories Into Adulthood:a Prospective Twin Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$172,875.00
Summary
Problems associated with the long-term use of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol permeate society. The development of effective programs for both the prevention and cessation of tobacco use and alcohol abuse requires an understanding of the natural history of the use of these substances. Most studies of the natural history of tobacco and alcohol use have followed individuals through secondary school and into the early 20s. These studies tell us about the psychosocial influences on these behaviours ....Problems associated with the long-term use of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol permeate society. The development of effective programs for both the prevention and cessation of tobacco use and alcohol abuse requires an understanding of the natural history of the use of these substances. Most studies of the natural history of tobacco and alcohol use have followed individuals through secondary school and into the early 20s. These studies tell us about the psychosocial influences on these behaviours but not about the role of genes on initiation and escalation of substance use. Yet recent advances in the neurophysiology of nicotine and alcohol receptivity and molecular genetics research suggest that genes play at least some role in determining the use of alcohol and tobacco. This proposal is for funding to continue a study designed to investigate the natural histories of alcohol and tobacco use among a sample of 1400 young Australian twins from adolescence to adulthood (early 30s). The study involves a telephone survey of these twins about their smoking and drinking behaviours, and among other things, their attitudes about smoking and drinking, the use of tobacco and alcohol by family and friends and presence of smoking bans at home and work. Because this study explicitly examines the influence of social and psychological factors on tobacco and alcohol use we will be able to determine the relative contribution of genes and psychosocial factors in tobacco and alcohol use. The proposed study is unique in its use of twins, its longitudinal design and its integration of genetics into psychosocial models of behaviour. The results of this study will help to clarify the role of genes in the development of tobacco use and alcohol abuse. Importantly the results of this study will help to identify those social and psychological factors that increase the likelihood of a genetically susceptible individual becoming dependent on nicotine and-or abusing alcohol.Read moreRead less
An Econometric Investigation Of Harmful Drinking And Price Response By Alcoholic Types To Inform Alcohol Tax Policies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,157.00
Summary
This study will quantify the price responsiveness of alcohol consumption by types of alcoholic drinks and patterns of use, and the association of harmful drinking with physical and mental health. These estimates will then be used to analyse the impacts of a range of alcohol tax policies and education programs, and potential flow-on effects on health and other drug use, providing a guide to future alcohol policy.
Long Term Follow-up Of Two Randomised Controlled Trials Of Treatment For Depression And Alcohol-other Drug Comorbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,925.00
Summary
This study proposes the long term follow-up of participants in two of the first and largest studies of psychological treatment for people with co-occurring depression and alcohol-other drug use problems ever conducted. This is a crucial next step in research on the effectiveness of psychological treatment among this highly prevalent yet often neglected section of the community.
Preclinical Validation Of Oxytocin As A Novel Treatment For Alcohol Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,624.00
Summary
Alcohol dependence is a major cause of mental and physical illness in Australia. Current medications for treating this condition are of limited effectiveness. This project will investigate the ability of the hormone oxytocin to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol craving and to reverse the brain damage that alcohol causes. The project will also develop new medications, based on oxytocin, but with more powerful and longer lasting effects. These medications may provide a breakthrough in the fight aga ....Alcohol dependence is a major cause of mental and physical illness in Australia. Current medications for treating this condition are of limited effectiveness. This project will investigate the ability of the hormone oxytocin to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol craving and to reverse the brain damage that alcohol causes. The project will also develop new medications, based on oxytocin, but with more powerful and longer lasting effects. These medications may provide a breakthrough in the fight against alcoholism.Read moreRead less
Longitudinal Study Of Modifiable Influences For The Development Of Harmful Young Adult Alcohol Use And Related-problems.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,484,496.00
Summary
Young adulthood is a time of high vulnerability for alcohol use problems that are the major preventable contributor to death and injury in this age period. This 5-year project will identify modifiable influences in adolescence and young adulthood that contribute to harmful alcohol use. A cohort of almost 3,000 young people initially recruited in Victoria in 2002 (aged 11 to 15) will be followed for two further waves of data collection in 2010-11 (age 19 to 23) and 2012-13 (age 21 to 25).