Psychological interventions
These research programs take evidence based psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), MI, ACT, and mindfulness-based relapse prevention and adapts them for delivery via telephone services to offer skills-based interventions that are tailored to individual needs and treatment goals.
Ready2Change - Alcohol Trial
Ready2Change-Alcohol Determining the efficacy of a telephone-delivered intervention in reducing alcohol severity among individuals with alcohol use problems.
Ready2Change - Methamphetamine Trial
Determining the efficacy of a telephone-delivered intervention in reducing methamphetamine use among individuals with methamphetamine use problems.
Pharmacotherapy
These research programs pioneers promising new pharmacological agents and formulas, targeting neurotransmitter systems that underline addictive behaviours. The focus is on examining the safety and efficacy and of novel, affordable medications that aim to reduce drug craving, consumption or prevent relapse.
The NAC for Ice (N-ICE) Trial
Examining a new approach to treating crystal methamphetamine (ice) dependence.
Nicotine as Treatment (NEAT) Trial
Understanding the effectiveness of vapourised nicotine products and telephone counselling in helping clients cease smoking following discharge from residential treatment.
Lisdexamfetamine Trial
Investigating lisdexamfetamine as a safe and effective treatment for methamphetamine dependence.
Depot Buprenorphine Trial
Exploring Buvidal as a new medication to treat opioid dependence.
Neurocognitive
These research programs aim to bridge the gap between neuroscience and clinical practice by designing and trialling novel neuroscience-informed interventions in real-world clinical settings and environments to enhance client outcomes. The focus is on developing interventions that target specific neurocognitive mechanisms that lead to and maintain addictive behaviours that are cost-effective, safe, highly scalable, and demonstrate efficacy in reducing craving, consumption and relapse.
Cognitive Bias Modification for Alcohol Trial
Using brain-training to determine whether people can avoid relapse to alcohol use after discharge from treatment.
Cognitive Bias Modification - Methamphetamine
Using brain-training to determine whether people can reduce methamphetamine cravings and prevent relapse after they leave rehabilitation.
SWIPE Trial
Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile based app to help people drink less alcohol and on fewer days.
AAT-APP (Alcohol Avoidance Training app)
Turning Point has been funded to trial a new brain-training app that delivers alcohol avoidance training in two different settings.
Modif-i Alcohol Community App Trial
Comparing different versions of a brain training app to help people reduce their alcohol craving and consumption.
Social
This research program explores the impact of social networks and social identity on recovery. This includes engagement in peer support groups both as part of specialist addiction treatment and as a form of aftercare.
Social Networks and Recovery Study
Understanding the impact of therapeutic community treatment on recovery, with a particular emphasis on social network and social identity change.
SMART Peer Support and Treatment Study
Exploring perceived barriers to embedding peer-support in addiction treatment services from the perspective of facilitators, service managers and group members.
Australian Life in Recovery Project
Examining peoples’ experiences of addiction and recovery and exploring the impacts of recovery on peoples’ lives.
Treatment systems and pathways
This program of work examines the quality and impact of alcohol and other drug treatment at a systems level. It outlines how the broader treatment system should be configured to optimise efficiency and effectiveness based on models of care and inter-sectorial collaboration.
Patient pathways study
Examining problems faced by addiction clients and the complex pathways and combinations of treatment and other services they access, and how these factors relate to treatment outcomes.
Service planning project
Evaluating packages of care for addiction clients with differing levels of need, focussing on five key streams of activity.
Integrated working project
Examining evidence-based integrated working strategies in an addiction context to inform recommendations for services providing addiction treatment in Victoria.
Keeping Connected
Strategies for maintaining engagement in counselling for alcohol and other drugs