Care pathways and treatment innovations for people who use methamphetamine

Developing an integrated model of care informed by linked data, and consumer and clinician views

Lead researchers

University of Wollongong
Briony Larance, Peter Kelly, Luise Lago, Laura Robinson

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD)
Sarah Adams, David Reid

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, NSW (NDARC)
Julia Lappin 

Lead institution: UOW

Project description

Conducted in partnership with clinical researchers from ISLHD’s Illawarra Drug and Alcohol Service (IDAS), this project undertakes a systematic assessment of the health service use and outcomes of Illawarra Shoalhaven residents who use methamphetamine, and potential points of intervention, to inform the design of a locally-tailored, innovative, integrated model of care. The study will use epidemiological and qualitative data collections, including clinical and consumer consultation, to determine priorities for intervention.

Data sources include

1. Analyses of non-identifiable, unit-record data from the Illawarra Health Information Platform (IHIP).
2. A systematic review of brief (meth)amphetamine interventions delivered in emergency healthcare settings.
3. Qualitative interviews with ISLHD clinicians working in AOD, mental health, inpatient hospital and emergency department settings.
4. Qualitative interviews with people living in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region experiencing methamphetamine-related harm.

Outcomes

This data will be used to develop a screening/referral intervention that can be implemented and evaluated.

Funding

National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) funded by Commonwealth Department of Health

Lead researchers

University of Wollongong
Peter Kelly, Briony Larance, Frank Deane, Alison Beck

External collaborators
Amanda Baker (University of Newcastle), Victoria Manning (Monash Unviersity), Angela Argent (SMART Recovery Australia), Brian Hitsman (Northwestern University, USA), Leanne Hides (University of Queensland), Anthony Shakeshaft (NDARC, UNSW), Richard Velleman (University of Bath), Gill Velleman (University of Bath).

Lead institution
University of Wollongong

Project description

Conducted in collaboration with SMART Recovery Australia, this project will examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Families & Friends intervention for family members, friends and supporters impacted by someone else’s methamphetamine use. The intervention is an 8-module mutual aid group program. Family members will be recruited from Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland using online advertising (SMART Recovery Australia website, social media). They will be invited to participate in the 8-module program. Follow-up assessments will be collected at 1-week and 1-month following group completion. The primary outcome is study feasibility (i.e. recruitment and participation rates, fidelity, satisfaction and follow-up rates). The secondary outcome is preliminary efficacy (i.e. stress, strain, coping, and social support).

Outcomes

If results of the evaluation are promising, we will use these data to help secure future funding to conduct a full-scale RCT of the intervention. This will help to ensure that families in Australia will have access to evidence-based approaches.

Funding

National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) funded by Commonwealth Department of Health

A mixed methods exploration of SMART Recovery participants’ characteristics and opportunities for enhanced referral pathways

Lead researchers

University of Wollongong
Peter Kelly, Alison Beck, Briony Larance, Frank Deane

External collaborators
Amanda Baker (University of Newcastle), Leanne Hides (University of Queensland), Victoria Manning (Monash University), Anthony Shakeshaft (NDARC, UNSW), Angela Argent (SMART Recovery Australia).

Lead institution
University of Wollongong

Project description

Conducted in partnership with SMART Recovery Australia, this project examines the characteristics and experiences of people attending SMART Recovery groups who report methamphetamine use. It examines how the links between formal treatment services and mutual support groups could be better facilitated. We will draw on data from group facilitators, participant-completed routine outcome measures, qualitative interviews and a cross sectional survey. These data will be used to build a picture of the engagement and profile of people who use methamphetamine who are participating in SMART recovery groups, and their treatment pathways.

Outcomes

This data will be used to target future organizational and research efforts to ensure that this important source of mutual support is available to people who use methamphetamine when they need it most (e.g. enhancing awareness, access and/ or targeted and proactive referral pathways).

Funding

National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) funded by Commonwealth Department of Health

A randomised controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine ('ice') dependence

Lead researchers

University of Wollongong
Peter Kelly, Dale Raftery

External collaborators
Rebecca McKetin (NDARC, UNSW), Olivia Dean (Deakin University), Alyna Turner (Deakin University), Michael Berk (Deakin University), Dan Lubman (MARC, Monash University), Paul Dietze (Burnet Institute), Brendan Quinn (Burnet Institute), Peter Higgs (La Trobe University), Gregory Cater (University of Newcastle), Amanda Baker (University of Newcastle)

Lead institution
University of New South Wales

Project description

Led by Rebecca McKetin at UNSW, our team leads the Wollongong site of this large randomised-controlled trial of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) for methamphetamine (“ice”) dependence. Other trial sites include Geelong and Melbourne. Previous studies have shown that NAC can reduce cravings for various drugs, including ice, cocaine, cannabis and tobacco. This trial will find out whether NAC can help people reduce their use of ice or stop using ice altogether. We will also examine whether NAC helps reduce the paranoia and mood changes people experience when they become addicted to ice. Most importantly, we want to make sure that NAC is safe. NAC has been used safely in various other trials, and is an approved medicine for other purposes. We will be assessing whether it is safe take-home medication for people who use ice.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Centre,