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On average, it takes 66 days to form a new habit. As of July 1, Australians will have been living with COVID-19 restrictions for nearly exactly that amount of time; social distancing and ‘lockdown’ measures have been in place nationwide since late March. So, it is unsurprising that we are now accustomed to what we consider our ‘new normal’.

Researchers from Turning Point have developed a skills-based intervention - ‘MAKINGtheLINK’ - aimed at helping adolescents overcome barriers to seeking professional help for mental health and substance use problems, and supporting their peers.

Turning Point welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement that the North Richmond Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) will operate for another three years and a second injecting facility will be constructed.

Dr Shalini Arunogiri, Deputy Clinical Director of Turning Point’s Treatment Services and Senior Lecturer at Monash University writes for The Conversation about the disproportionate level of stress women are experiencing due to COVID-19 compared to men, and why they are drinking more because of it.

Turning Point Honorary Professor and Deputy Director of the Monash Addiction Research Centre, Suzi Nielsen, writes for The Conversation on the introduction of smaller pack sizes for prescription opioids and if these new restrictions will stop leftover medicines causing harm.

Being in lockdown has seen many people increase their alcohol use during COVID-19, but should we be worried that these habits will stick? Professor Dan Lubman spoke to ABC Radio’s The Conversation Hour about the need to have honest conversations and what support services are available for those dealing with addiction.

Sunday the 31st May is World No Tobacco Day, an annual day of awareness to shed light on the health risks associated with tobacco.

Professor Dan Lubman, Director of Turning Point and the Monash Addiction Research Centre, is the recipient of a five-year $2.2m NHMRC Investigator Grant to transform access to addiction treatment.

At Turning Point we want to acknowledge and celebrate all of the important work that Nurses and Midwives do all year!

With venues closed as a result of COVID19, it’s the perfect time to have a conversation about our relationship with pokie machines. Professor Dan Lubman spoke on ABC radio's The Conversation Hour about what we are seeing at the moment and the conversation that needs to happen before they reopen.