The Relationship Between Cannabis Use And Symptoms And Relapse In Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,604.00
Summary
Cannabis is increasingly widely used and abused by young people. Use in young people with schizophrenia is even more extensive. There is some suggestion that this drug use is a result of their illness, ie to reduce unpleasant symptoms or feelings. Equally the drug may contribute to their psychosis. This study aims to assess the degree to which psychosis may be caused by cannabis use in vulnerable young people.
An Impirical Investigation Of Psychosis Proneness In Amphetamine Users: Current And Predictive Validity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,750.00
Summary
The use of amphetamines has increased in Australia in the last decade. According to the 1998 National Household Survey, lifetime use of amphetamines has increased by over 50% from approximately 6% in 1995 to approximately 9% in 1998; recent use (last 12 months) has increased from 2% in 1995 to approximately 4% in 1998. This increase appears to be even greater in Queensland, the site of the proposed study, which has seen both an overall increase in the use of illicit drugs and an increase in the ....The use of amphetamines has increased in Australia in the last decade. According to the 1998 National Household Survey, lifetime use of amphetamines has increased by over 50% from approximately 6% in 1995 to approximately 9% in 1998; recent use (last 12 months) has increased from 2% in 1995 to approximately 4% in 1998. This increase appears to be even greater in Queensland, the site of the proposed study, which has seen both an overall increase in the use of illicit drugs and an increase in the use of amphetamines specifically. The most recent estimate of the number of current users (use within the last 12months) aged 14 years and over in Queensland is 85.5000. This compares to 17.000 recent heroin users in the same age range. Of particular concern is the increase in the use of methamphetamine, which has high abuse potential producing euphoric effects that are similar to, but longer lasting than, those of cocaine. Also of concern, given the increasing purity and availablity of methamphetamine, is the link between amphetamine use and psychosis, a psychotic disorder characterised by sensory hallucinations, paranoid delusions and a loosening of associations. Despite this well established link, there are surprisingly few studies in which the course and onset of amphetamine psychosis has been studied. In this reseach the relationship between subclinical features of psychosis, measures of psychosis proneness and other factors implicated in the development of schizophrenia will be investigated in a prospective cohort in which amphetamine users will be followed up once per month for twelve months.Read moreRead less
A New, Low-cost E-health Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder Using Mental Imagery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,032.00
Summary
This project offers the first large-scale test of phone-based Functional Imagery Training (FIT), a new, low-cost way to help people change behaviours using mental imagery, regardless of where they live. The trial addresses Alcohol Use Disorder—a common problem with substantial health and social impacts, comparing FIT with verbal motivational treatments, and testing effects on alcohol use and quality of life over 12 months. Cost-effectiveness and predictions of outcome are also examined.
Diversion And Misuse Of Stimulant Medication For ADHD Among Illicit Psychostimulant Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,534.00
Summary
The practices of diversion and misuse of pharmaceutical stimulants give serious cause for concern due to their potential to increase the risk of drug toxicity, dependence, and serious adverse health consequences. These practices may be particularly harmful among illicit psychostimulant users. This will be the first to study the nature of diversion and misuse of pharmaceutical stimulants among illicit psychostimulant users and the first to examine the associated correlates and consequences.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of A New Intervention For Alcohol Craving
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,673.00
Summary
Alcohol problems continue to pose a significant burden across many areas, including the physical and mental health of the individual, and the wider implications for families, health systems providing care, and society as a whole. Despite the existence of a variety of therapies including in- and outpatient programs and anti-craving medications, people continue to struggle with this problem. Increased craving for alcohol is a major factor in ability to adhere to treatment, rate of progress, and lo ....Alcohol problems continue to pose a significant burden across many areas, including the physical and mental health of the individual, and the wider implications for families, health systems providing care, and society as a whole. Despite the existence of a variety of therapies including in- and outpatient programs and anti-craving medications, people continue to struggle with this problem. Increased craving for alcohol is a major factor in ability to adhere to treatment, rate of progress, and long-term maintenance of change. Whilst current medications target craving, they provide only short-term symptom relief, and not all people find them effective. Cravings are both distracting and distressing during treatment, and increased craving often predicts treatment drop-out and relapse. This project evaluates a new treatment for alcohol misuse: CARM - Craving for Alcohol: Reduction and Management. This 8-session enhanced Cognitive-Behaviour Treatment (CBT) focuses on teaching people new skills to manage and reduce cravings, and is based on a new theory of craving that has strong research support. The study compares 4 groups: CARM; a more traditional CBT treatment for alcohol problems [motivational interviewing, problem solving for high-risk situations, and relapse prevention]; plus two brief interventions [Motivational Interviewing plus Self-Monitoring, and Self-Monitoring alone] both followed by CARM after an 8 week delay. All participants are able to set their own goals of abstinence or reduced use. Expected outcomes: all participants will learn effective skills to manage their alcohol use, resulting in significant reductions in alcohol consumption and fewer problems from alcohol use; however, those receiving CARM will find it easier to manage cravings during treatment, and will make faster progress and show less treatment drop-out. It is also anticipated that participants in CARM will show better long-term maintenance of treatment gains.Read moreRead less
The applicant is a clinical psychologist. Research focuses on developing, evaluating and disseminating psychological interventions for co-existing mental health (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety) and alcohol and other drug problems (e.g. alcohol, c
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.
A Trial Of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring In Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,025.00
Summary
Heroin addiction is an established and increasing problem in developed countries and in many developing nations. Although there have been several new treatments for heroin addiction, methadone maintenance remains the most effective way to minimize the harms associated with heroin addiction. The current research proposal seeks to test a new approach to setting of methadone dose, using monitoring of methadone blood levels, effects and side-effects in determining when to increase doses, and when to ....Heroin addiction is an established and increasing problem in developed countries and in many developing nations. Although there have been several new treatments for heroin addiction, methadone maintenance remains the most effective way to minimize the harms associated with heroin addiction. The current research proposal seeks to test a new approach to setting of methadone dose, using monitoring of methadone blood levels, effects and side-effects in determining when to increase doses, and when to switch to alternative therapies. This provides an objective method of planning treatment that focuses on suppressing heroin use. The potential subjects of the study are the 50% of patients who continue to use heroin regularly during treatment. All will undergo assessment involving measurement of blood levels of methadone, testing of effects and side-effects of methadone, and monitoring of safety. Half will be randomly allocated to usual care, and half to therapeutic drug monitoring, with dose adjustments according to the results of testing. At 3 and 6 months all subjects will undergo repeat test sessions. It is hypothesized that those in the experimental group will be using less heroin (confirmed by hair testing). It is expected that the study will also identify a small group of subjects with genetically different opioid receptors, who will require very high doses of methadone to be stabilized. The study will allow a detailed analysis of how best to monitor dose adequacy; the relationship between withdrawal symptoms, methadone blood levels, and heroin use, and will provide the first clear investigation of the relationship between changes in methadone blood concentration and certain potentially dangerous changes in the electrical activity of the heart. The intended outcome of this research project is a model for a higher standard methadone program that is more effective in reducing the problems of heroin use in our community.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.