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
Alcohol,tobacco, Illicit And Prescribed Drugs: Prospective Cohorts And RCTs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,745.00
Summary
This research addresses the important areas of infant, childhood, adolescent, adult, and family well-being and the effects of exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. The impacts of these substances on psychological, cognitive, vocational, and physical well-being remain poorly researched. A related set of research projects is aimed to build the evidence base for effective intervention to prevent or manage psychological and cognitive sequelae from such exposure.
Empowering The Community To Take Action On Prevention And Early Intervention For Mental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,030.00
Summary
The vision of this application is to make Australia the world leader in research which empowers the community to take action for prevention and early intervention with mental disorders.
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.
Integrating Treatment For Alcohol Use Problems And Comorbid PTSD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,073.00
Summary
Comorbid alcohol use problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common mental health problems that cause disability and distress. Despite this, there are few randomized controlled trials of interventions. The proposed study is the first Australian randomised controlled trial in this field to address the question of whether treating PTSD and alcohol use problems is superior to treating alcohol use problems alone. The study compares the relative efficacy of a manual guided treatment for ....Comorbid alcohol use problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common mental health problems that cause disability and distress. Despite this, there are few randomized controlled trials of interventions. The proposed study is the first Australian randomised controlled trial in this field to address the question of whether treating PTSD and alcohol use problems is superior to treating alcohol use problems alone. The study compares the relative efficacy of a manual guided treatment for alcohol use disorder alone with a simultaneous treatment for alcohol use and PTSD. This study improves on the methodological limitations described in the two existing studies reported in the published literature. Two-hundred and sixty four participants will be recruited from mutiple sites (media, GPs, specialist clinics) and treated in the community at two sites in Sydney. Participants will be eligible if they consume harmful levels of alcohol (NHMRC risky or high risk levels) and have a concurrent diagnosis of PTSD based on recognised diagnostic criteria. Treatment will consist of 16 sessions of manual guided individual psychological therapy that has been found to be very efficacious with each problem alone. The efficacy of treatment will be determined on the basis of reductions in harmful drinking (above NHMRC low risk levels) and in symptoms of PTSD. Participants will be followed up by an independent, blind, clinician three and six months after treatment completion. The findings of this study have the potential to provide valuable information regarding the treatment needs of people with these complex presentations to clinicians and policy developers alike.Read moreRead less
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.
Quantifying The Predictors And Risks Of Problematic Alcohol Use
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
This Fellowship will identify the health outcomes, pathways to disability and death, and risk and protective factors for these harms among people with alcohol problems. Projects will include a longitudinal study of people with existing alcohol problems, a longitudinal study of adolescent emerging alcohol consumers, and a field study of alcohol problems in night-time entertainment areas. Findings will inform standardised alcohol screening and intervention and expansion of alcohol treatment.
Healthy, Wealthy And Wise: The Long-term Effectiveness Of An Online Universal Program To Prevent Substance Use And Mental Health Problems Among Australian Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,472,709.00
Summary
The proposed study represents a unique opportunity to build on the NHMRC funded Climate Schools Combined (CSC) study, a world-first trial of a combined, internet-delivered school-based approach to preventing substance use, anxiety and depression. Having successfully implemented this trial and followed these students for 3 years, we propose to extend follow-up of this large trial cohort over the critical transition from secondary school into early adulthood.
A Randomised Clinical Trial Of Internet-based Treatment For Binge Drinking And Depression In Young Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$941,787.00
Summary
This project focuses on a common clinical problem that causes substantial functional, economic and health impacts; comorbid depression and binge drinking. These conditions are under-treated and peak in young adulthood. This project offers a low cost, wide reach, youth-appropriate treatment, which will have profound implications for service design and health policy. It relates to current Commonwealth initiatives in e-health and e-Psychology.
Preventing Anxiety, Depression And Substance Use In Adolescents.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,709,988.00
Summary
Anxiety, depressive and substance use disorders account for three quarters of the disability attributed to mental disorders. Yet we have few models of well-implemented prevention programs for these common disorders. The current proposal addresses this gap by evaluating an innovative internet-based approach to preventing mental health and substance use problems in Australian adolescents.