Turningpoint

Clinical Research/
Current Projects

Double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of Modafinil for methamphetamine withdrawal

TP staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Amy Pennay
Collaborators: Unitingcare Moreland Hall, Drug and Alcohol Services Western Hospital (DASWEST)

Summary: Use of methamphetamine is widespread, with an estimated 72,000 dependent users. Medication plays an important role in treatment, but despite this, there are very few clinical studies investigating various medications for methamphetamine withdrawal. Previous studies in the U.S. have shown that modafinil (Modavigil®) has potential for treating cocaine dependence. This project is a randomised, placebo-controlled design comparing the effects of modafinil and a placebo pill on withdrawal symptoms and neurocognitive measures. Patients stay for up to 10 days on a fixed schedule of medication.

Start Date: January 2007
Completion Date: December 2008

Contact Person: Amy Pennay
Ph: 03 8413 8460
Email: amy.pennay@turningpoint.org.au

Funding Body: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

Evaluation of a best practice integrated intervention for regular methamphetamine users with comorbid depression

TP Staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Amy Pennay, Angela Harney
External Staff: Prof Steve Allsop, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Dr Rebecca McKetin, Dr Amanda Baker, Prof Richard Mattick, Prof David Kavanagh
Collaborators: NDRI, Centre for Mental Health Studies University of Newcastle, NDARC, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Queensland

Summary: This study aims to trial a new integrated psychological intervention for the management of depression among amphetamine users. To date, very little research has been conducted within the population of people with depression and co-occurring amphetamine use problems, whose complex presentation makes it difficult for treatment providers to deliver effective interventions. Although rates of depression and amphetamine use is on the increase in our community, it is still not clear how to best to manage this group. This pilot randomised study will recruit up to 60 regular amphetamine users in Victoria. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 6-sessions of integrated co-morbidity intervention, 6-sessions of amphetamine only treatment or an assessment only control. Follow-up will occur immediately and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. The outcomes of this study will be of significant clinical benefit to those managing regular amphetamine users who experience mental health problems, others with AOD use and co-occurring mental health problems, and particularly for those problems for which specific medical treatment is not yet available. This study will result in the development of an efficacious treatment for an increasing group in the community experiencing depression and will be directly transferable into clinical practice.

Start date: March 2007
Completion date: September 2008

Contact person: Angela Harney
Phone: 8413 8446
Email: angela.harney@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Beyondblue: The depression initiative

Increasing access to methamphetamine prevention and intervention using the Internet: Development and evaluation of a novel website

TP Staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Linda Jenner, Rick Noble

Summary: Methamphetamine users are often reluctant to enter treatment, and when they do seek help it is often in response to serious consequences such as psychosis, physical ill health, social, and or legal problems. There is a need to develop services for stimulant users that are targeted, responsive, appropriate, and aim to increase a user’s self awareness. The recent establishment of the Specialist Methamphetamine Clinics (SMC) will provide specialist services for methamphetamine and other stimulant users in Melbourne.

Turning Point has received funding from the Commonwealth ATS Grants Program to expand the SMC website to include a number of interactive elements that will 1) provide a ‘soft’ entry to treatment for those who are initially reluctant to attend face-to-face therapy, and 2) offer early intervention for users who may not feel the need to attend a treatment centre but who are nevertheless looking for self-help material. The on-line materials will offer self-help strategies based on current best practice, as well as general information about methamphetamines and harm reduction strategies. Links to formal treatment options will be easily accessible on the site.

The self-assessment and self-help materials will be available on-line by December 2008. An evaluation of the website will be completed by December 2009. The data from the evaluation will be used to improve the site and to inform recommendations for expanding treatment options for users of methamphetamine.

Start date: July 2008
Completion date: December 2009

Contact person: Dr Nicole Lee
Phone: 8413 8416
Email:nicole.lee@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Commonwealth ATS Grants Program

Longitudinal treatment outcomes for methamphetamine dependence: A treatment cohort study

TP staff: Dr Nicole Lee

Collaborators: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia, University of Melbourne, Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, Griffith University, National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research

Summary: Coordinated by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, this Australia-wide project follows a cohort of dependent methamphetamine users to examine the characteristics of those entering treatment; the differences between those entering treatment and dependent methamphetamine users not seeking treatment; and factors predictive of abstinence, psychiatric morbidity, criminal involvement and contact with the health and criminal justice systems.

Start date: June 2005
Completion date: June 2009

Contact person: Dr Nicole Lee
Phone: 8413 8416
Email: nicole.lee@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: National Health and Medical Research Council

A pilot study to examine the effectiveness of clinical case management for alcohol and drug clients

TP Staff: Jacqui Cameron, Lisa Johns, Heidi Strickland, Dr Nicole Lee

Summary: The aim of this pilot study is to conduct a randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a clinical case management (CM) model for improving mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, and quality of life outcomes in an AOD setting.

Participants will be adults or young people who are seeking drug and/or alcohol treatment through the Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS) our collaborative partner.

The study is a matched control design (2 sites):

Matched on client, clinician and team leader characteristics and program philosophy
Separated by distance to avoid contamination
Providing training in Site 1 in enhanced case management model v. Site 2 case management as usual
Interviews at baseline and 3 months after first contact

The two treatment groups will be compared for their drug use and dependence, access, participation and retention in treatment, as well as quality of life and mental health measures. Clinician outcomes will be measured and clinicians will be interviewed regarding their use of the clinical case management model.

Start date: February 2008
Completion date: December 2008

Contact person: Jacqui Cameron
Phone: 8413 8433
Email: jacqui.cameron@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Australian Rotary Health Research Fund

Practice Research Network

TP Staff: Jacqui Cameron

Summary: The establishment of a Practice Research Network in Victoria is an exciting new initiative which aims to develop a stronger partnership between researchers and clinicians.

The project is funded by the Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation and offers a series of workshops which allow clinicians to have input into research processes and increase knowledge about AOD research and the translation of research into practice.
The workshops topics, generated as a result of a focus group of senior clinicians, include how to develop research ideas, understanding research findings, as well as practical topics such as using clinical treatment guidelines and evaluating practice.

The workshops are interactive and encourage a two-way exchange between clinicians and researchers – allowing researchers to better understand the clinical environment and how to improve the translation of research into practice as well.

Workshops commenced mid 2008. The next workshop in Melbourne is scheduled for October 2008.

Start date: November 2007
Completion date: November 2008

Contact person: Jacqui Cameron
Phone: 8413 8433
Email: jacqui.cameron@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation

Specialist Methamphetamine Clinics: Evaluation

TP Staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Dr Madonna Devaney, Melissa Reed

Summary: Turning Point, in collaboration with Access Health, has been awarded a grant through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to establish and evaluate specialist services for methamphetamine users. The clinics will provide specialist services for methamphetamine and other stimulant users including best practice psychological and medical treatment for dependence, brief interventions, assessment and referral and information and harm reduction advice.

The evaluation of the Specialist Methamphetamine Clinics (SMC) consists of six studies, study 1 is a needs analysis designed to determine the treatment interests of methamphetamine users. Studies 2 to 6 will be undertaken upon implementation of the SMC. The data from these studies will be triangulated to examine client outcomes and the best service delivery model for the SMC.

Start date: October 2007
Completion date: July 2010

Contact person: Dr Madonna Devaney
Phone: 8413 8419
Email: madonna.devaney@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Proceeds of Crime