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Clinical Research/
Current Projects

 
 

Specialist Methamphetamine Clinics: Evaluation

TP Staff: Dr Madonna Devaney and Ms Melissa Reed

Summary: Few methamphetamine users present for treatment in outpatient or inpatient treatment, most commonly attending health services in crisis via the ambulance service or emergency department, or with related complaints to their GP.

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

 

 

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

 

 

The Australian Alcohol Treatment Outcome Measure (AATOM)

TP staff: Nicola Thomson

Collaborators: NDARC

Summary: The project aims to develop a standardised instrument designed to measure outcomes for individuals in treatment for alcohol use in Australia. The Alcohol Treatment Outcome Measure (AATOM) will comprise of two versions: one intended for use amongst clinicians for the purpose of routine treatment outcome monitoring (AATOM-C) and one for use amongst researchers (AATOM-R). The study aims to test the psychometric properties of the newly developed instrument by measuring its reliability and validity. A further aim of the project will be to assess the feasibility of implementing the AATOM-C into routine clinical practice in Australia. In this phase, differences between data collected by clinicians and researchers will be investigated, as well as the impact of conducting follow-up interviews.

Start date: May 2005
Completion date: November 2007

Contact person: Nicola Thompson
Phone: 8413 8428
Email: nicola.thompson@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation

 

 

Translating research into practice: PsyCheck dissemination

TP staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Jacqui Cameron, Sandra Roeg

Summary: An evaluation of the PsyCheck Implementation project showed an increase in the rate of clinician screening and intervention for common mental health disorders (anxiety, depression and psychosomatic presentations) among clients presenting to alcohol and drug treatment services as a result of use of the PsyCheck toolkit.

This current project aims to translate this research into more widespread clinical practice by:

  • Investigating methods for dissemination
  • Investigating methods for increasing access to clinical supervision for alcohol and drug practitioners
  • Undertaking further research to examine client outcomes of practitioner training
  • Investigating methods to ensure sustainability of the screening toolkit once implemented within the services.

Start date: May 2006
Completion date: October 2007

Contact person: Jacqui Cameron
Phone: 8413 8416
Email: jacqui.cameron@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Department of Health and Ageing, Illicit Drugs Branch

 


 

Psychostimulants information and education resources

TP staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Kieran Connolly, Trevor King, Caroline Clark

Summary: This project will see the development of information and education resources on psychostimulants with a specific focus on target populations that are not currently well served by existing strategies.

Funded by the NSW Department of Health, the resources developed will be of mixed media and culturally relevant in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and NSW geographic location. The key outcomes of the resources are to:

  • Prevent, delay or reduce the use of psychostimulant drugs
  • Raise awareness of the problematic effects of psychostimulant abuse
  • Promote a harm minimisation approach to psychostimulant use
  • Positively influence attitudes towards psychostimulant use
  • Positively influence the behaviours of psychostimulant users
  • Raise awareness of treatment options and other support available for psychostimulant users.

Start date: December 2005
Completion date: December 2007

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

Funding body: NSW Department of Health

 

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

TP Staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Amy Pennay, Angela Harney, Stephan Leubbers, Peter Eide
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 range of psychological interventions 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: Amy Pennay
Phone: 8413 8460
Email: amy.pennay@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Beyondblue

 

Benzodiazepines: Treatment Capacity Building Project

TP Staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Nicola Thompson, Jacqui Cameron, Angela Harney
Collaborators: DP&SB

Summary: The main aim of the study is to increase the capacity of Victorian drug treatment services to address benzodiazepine related harm. At present, there is little information on the way benzodiazepine use is managed by treatment services, particularly in association with other problematic drug use. Furthermore, the experience of consumers undertaking treatment for benzodiazepine use is not well documented. This project will address these issues as well as inform the development of a capacity building resource for drug treatment services.

There are three stages to the project:

  1. A review of best practice in benzodiazepine treatment
  2. Consultation with services providers and users in order to map the treatment modalities currently used by Victoria treatment services
  3. Development of a capacity building resource

Start date: May 2007
Completion date: June 2008

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

Funding body: Drugs Policy and Services Branch, Department of Human Services



from GO to WHOA Dissemination

TP Staff: Kieran Connolly, Dr Nicole Lee, Margaret Petrie, Ray Stephens, Bridget Roberts, Lauren Siegmann.
Collaborators: Trainers and Senior Clinicians from AOD services and mental health services across Australia

Summary: The from GO to WHOA training package was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and incorporates an interactive training session on psychostimulants. A national dissemination project has also been funded which aims to increase the skills and knowledge on psychostimulants that will enhance the capacity of a range of workers to provide appropriate interventions to psychostimulant users. An innovative dissemination model incorporating three distinct levels has been developed. This includes a traditional train-the-trainer component as well as a series of funded training courses in each jurisdiction and the provision of post training support workers for a period of time at the local level.

Start date: February 2007
Completion date: June 2008

Contact person: Kieran Connolly
Phone: 03 8413 8704
Email: kieran.connolly@turningpoint.org.au

Funding body: Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health & Ageing

 

 

Working with Clients with Dual Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Guidelines for Alcohol and Other Drug Workers

TP Staff: Dr Nicole Lee, Linda Jenner
External Staff: Greg Logan, Gary Croton, Nicole Allen, Catherine Dwyer
Collaborators: Dual Diagnosis Education and Training Unit, Eastern Hume Dual Diagnosis Service, Substance Use and Mental Illness Treatment Team

Summary: As part of their dual diagnosis initiative, the Drugs Policy and Services Branch, Department of Human Services, has commissioned the Dual Diagnosis Education and Training Unit, Eastern Hume Dual Diagnosis Service, Substance Use and Mental Illness Treatment Team and Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre to develop a set of clinical treatment guidelines to inform Clinicians on the application of intervention for people with co-occurring mental health and drug and alcohol problems.

Start date: August 2006
Completion date: October 2007

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

Funding body: Drugs Policy and Services Branch, Department of Human Services


 
A double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of Modafinil for methamphetamine withdrawal

TP staff: Amy Pennay, Nicole Lee
Collaborators: Moreland Hall, 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: June 2008

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

Funding Body: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing


Go to a list of completed projects


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