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Alcohol Use Disorders In Young Adults: Youthful Epidemic Or Diagnostic Bias?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,874.00
Summary
Epidemiological studies show that 1 in 5 Australians aged 18-24 are diagnosed as having an alcohol use disorder. However, there is evidence to suggest that young adults may interpret the diagnostic criteria differently to older adults. The current study aims to validate the alcohol use disorder criteria in younger populations through the use of novel cognitive interviewing techniques.
Mental Disorders And The Social Transitions Of Adulthood: A 20-year Follow-up Of The Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,224.00
Summary
This study aims to understand how transitions to parenthood, marriage and employment might be affected by the experience of a mental disorder or problems with alcohol or other drugs. It will also look at a question of whether making a good transition (e.g. a satisfying marriage) can help recovery from a mental or substance use disorder.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy To Prevent Psychosis Among People With At-risk Mental States.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,604.00
Summary
Recent advances in the accurate identification of individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, have inspired the development of interventions designed to delay, ameliorate or even prevent the onset of such disorders. To date, the results of only three randomised controlled trials of such interventions have been published. Although these results have shown that interventions are able to delay the onset of psychosis, and may even prevent psychosis in some cas ....Recent advances in the accurate identification of individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, have inspired the development of interventions designed to delay, ameliorate or even prevent the onset of such disorders. To date, the results of only three randomised controlled trials of such interventions have been published. Although these results have shown that interventions are able to delay the onset of psychosis, and may even prevent psychosis in some cases, it is unclear which treatment should be preferred for this population because the three trials have assessed, respectively, a combination of anti-psychotic medication and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), CBT alone, and anti-psychotic medication alone. Since the trial of CBT alone produced results that were at least as favourable as the two other trials, and since ethical and clinical objections have been raised concerning the use of anti-psychotic medications with young people who may never develop a psychotic disorder, CBT may be the preferred treatment. Far from posing unnecessary risks, CBT has the potential to provide important therapeutic benefits even to those not destined to develop a psychosis. The current study is significant in that it proposes a controlled trial of a form of CBT which has been specially adapted for preventing transition to psychosis among young high-risk individuals, to test whether the previous favourable results for CBT can be independently replicated. It will be compared with a control treatment. Since cannabis abuse is common among young people who are at risk, and is a known risk factor for psychosis, CBT will include elements of treatment for cannabis abuse. The trial will be run in both Newcastle and Orange, NSW, enabling us to compare the effectiveness of CBT in urban and rural settings. This study has the potential to have large impacts on the quality of life of young people at risk of psychosis.Read moreRead less
Assessing Naltrexone Implant Or Methadone Maintenance Treatment On Mental And Physical Health Outcomes In Heroin Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,200.00
Summary
The WA hospital data linkage system (DLS) will be used to assess differences in the mental and physical health of dependent heroin users prior to and post naltrexone implant or methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). MMT is the best established pharmacotherapy for the management of heroin dependence but oral naltrexone is gaining some acceptance. Currently funded by NHMRC, we are looking at outcomes with oral naltrexone using DLS data. Although effective in blocking heroin, management via oral na ....The WA hospital data linkage system (DLS) will be used to assess differences in the mental and physical health of dependent heroin users prior to and post naltrexone implant or methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). MMT is the best established pharmacotherapy for the management of heroin dependence but oral naltrexone is gaining some acceptance. Currently funded by NHMRC, we are looking at outcomes with oral naltrexone using DLS data. Although effective in blocking heroin, management via oral naltrexone has proved problematic, with medicine non compliance and relapse common. Surgical insertion of subcutaneous implants is an alternative method of naltrexone delivery. 441 heroin users have received naltrexone implants (3.4g) under Special Access in WA. Although naltrexone implants have yet to be comprehensively assessed, early results are encouraging. Pilot study data has shown a significant reduction in hospital emergency department (ED) attendance for accidental overdose, and mental health events following implant. The aim of this study is to more rigorously assess outcomes associated with implants compared to heroin dependent persons treated by MMT . The DLS collates general hospital and mental health admissions plus mortality data for individuals. This allows the health of an individual to be monitored over time. An electronic version of hospital ED data has recently become available. The study will validate these records by comparing the electronic data against hospital ED records for the implant group. We will then combine the electronic ED and DLS data. Morbidity and mortality rates for heroin users are significantly greater than those for the general population. If the preliminary findings are replicated, naltrexone implants may offer significant benefits over current pharmacotherapies in reducing general and psychiatric morbidity in dependent heroin users.Read moreRead less