MPATHY: MDMA assisted PTSD and Alcohol Therapy
Overview
This research study will investigate whether MDMA-assisted therapy is a safe and effective treatment for the management of both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
All participants will receive 12 sessions of Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE), the gold-standard therapy for comorbid PTSD and AUD. COPE sessions include education/skills development around trauma and substance use, discussion and processing of traumatic memories, and exercises to do between sessions.
Importantly, people have experienced clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and heavy drinking from COPE therapy alone. COPE will be delivered by highly experienced and qualified clinical psychologists.
In addition to completing COPE, there will be two treatment days. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups – one group will receive MDMA, and the other group will receive a B vitamin called niacin. This study is double-blind, which means that neither the participants nor the study staff will know which treatment is being delivered.
Expressions of interest
If you would like to refer someone or want more information, please contact the team at [email protected].
Project team
Turning Point team
Project partners
A/Prof Kirsten Morley (Edith Collins Centre, University of Sydney)
Our sponsor
This trial is sponsored by the University of Sydney.