Co-design of the Australian Prompt Response Network for a public-health focused intersectoral approach to information sharing on emerging drugs of concern.

The rapid emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other emerging drugs of concern presents a significant global public health challenge, necessitating agile and interconnected drug information systems to identify and communicate risks. In Australia, responses have traditionally been localized, lacking a nationally coordinated system to rapidly share information about emerging drug threats. The National Center for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) collaborated with jurisdictional networks, clinicians, scientists, policy-makers, and peer organizations to co-design and co-produce the national Prompt Response Network ("PRN").

Hydromorphone Hopes: A Qualitative Study of People Initiating Supervised Short-Acting Injectable Opioid Treatment in Australia.

Introduction: A growing body of qualitative scholarship has drawn attention to aspects of supervised injectable opioid treatment (SIOT) not captured in earlier clinical trial data, identifying treatment initiation as one such area. Crucial questions surrounding people's motivations, expectations and initial experiences of SIOT remain under-explored. This paper examines the first tranche of qualitative findings from participants of Australia's first-ever SIOT trial, the 'Feasibility of Opioid Injectable Treatment' (FOpIT) study.

Characteristics of take-home fentanyl test strip use and support for drug checking services among people who use heroin in Australia: learnings for an increasingly complex drug market.

Background: This paper examines: (i) the acceptability of, and behavioural outcomes associated with, take-home fentanyl test strips (FTS), and (ii) support for, and preferences regarding, drug checking services among people who use heroin.

Methods: Data were obtained from 78 people who had used heroin in the past 6 months, recruited from treatment and harm reduction services in Sydney, Australia in 2020-21. Participants were provided with 10 BTNX Rapid Response™ single-use immunoassay FTS and surveyed 4 weeks later.

Bridging the evidence and the politics: Implementation trial of supervised injectable opioid treatment (SIOT) in Australia.

Supervised Injectable Opioid Treatment (SIOT) targets people experiencing opioid dependence who have not benefited from existing treatments. In this population, SIOT has been demonstrated to be efficacious and effective, yet this modality of treatment has only been taken up in a few countries. In this commentary we describe the socio-political context and history to the recent establishment of an implementation trial of injectable hydromorphone in Sydney, Australia.

Protocol of an open-label safety and feasibility pilot study of ketamine-assisted psychotheray for methamphetamine use disorder (the KAPPA trial).

Introduction: Methamphetamine use disorder is a significant public health concern. No pharmacological treatment options currently exist for methamphetamine use disorder, and psychotherapy is only moderately effective. Preliminary evidence suggests that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy produces sustained improvements in substance use and mental health symptomatology.

Trial protocol of an open-label pilot study of oral ltrexone-propion combination pharmacotherapy for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (the NABU trial).

Introduction: Methamphetamine use disorder is a global public health concern with no approved pharmacotherapies for its treatment. One recent randomised controlled trial conducted in the USA examined a combination of bupropion and naltrexone not readily available globally. Here, we report a trial protocol for an oral formulation of combined naltrexone and bupropion.

Exploring experiences of talk therapies among gay and bisexual men seeking to reduce or abstain from using crystal methamphetamine in the context of chemsex.

Introduction: Some gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who use drugs to enhance sex (chemsex/party and play) may experience harms and seek talk therapies. GBMSM who practice chemsex may not access drug services because of anticipated stigma and the perception that these services lack chemsex expertise. Barriers to services are documented, however, little is known about the service experiences of chemsex engaged GBMSM.

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine dependence: a case report involving daily methamphetamine use.

Methamphetamine (MA) dependence leads to severe physical and psychological issues. Current treatments, including psychosocial therapies and residential rehabilitation, face limitations such as high relapse rates, cost, and accessibility issues. As a result, there is an urgent need for novel approaches to treat MA dependence that are effective, affordable, and accessible to patients.

Lisdexamfetamine in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Aims: This study tested the efficacy and safety of a 12-week course of lisdexamfetamine in reducing methamphetamine use, an outcome which is associated with improvements in health and wellbeing, in people dependent on methamphetamine.

Design, Setting And Participants: This study was a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted in six specialist outpatient clinics in Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney, Australia (2018-2021). Participants were164 adults with methamphetamine dependence, reporting at least 14 use days out of the previous 28 days (62% male, 38% female, < 1% other; mean age 39 years).

Implementation of time-limited parenteral hydromorphone in people with treatment-resistant injecting opioid use disorder: a protocol for a single-site, uncontrolled, open-label study to assess feasibility, safety and cost.

Introduction: Supervised injectable opioid treatment (SIOT) is an evidence-based intervention targeting opioid-dependent people for whom existing treatments have been ineffective. This project will primarily assess the feasibility and the acceptability of time-limited SIOT using injectable hydromorphone delivered in an existing Australian public opioid treatment programme, with secondary outcomes of safety, cost, changes in drug use and other health outcomes. If feasible, the goal is to scale up the intervention to be more widely available in Australia.

Effect of a Smartphone App (S-Check) on Actual and Intended Help-Seeking and Motivation to Change Methamphetamine Use Among Adult Consumers of Methamphetamine in Australia: Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial.

Background: Interventions are required that address delays in treatment-seeking and low treatment coverage among people consuming methamphetamine.

Objective: We aim to determine whether a self-administered smartphone-based intervention, the "S-Check app" can increase help-seeking and motivation to change methamphetamine use, and determine factors associated with app engagement.

Methods: This study is a randomized, 28-day waitlist-controlled trial.

Sociodemographic and Health Factors of the Alcohol Treatment-seeking Population in New South Wales, Australia.

Objectives: Although factors associated with alcohol use have been researched at a population level, descriptions of the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment-seeking population in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, are limited. This study addresses this gap by analyzing sociodemographic and health characteristics in the NSW AOD treatment-seeking population.

Methods: Self-reported Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile data on substance use, health ratings, and sociodemographic factors were acquired from public AOD services (offering services from counseling to ambulatory/inpatient withdrawal management) in 6 administrative health districts from 2016 to 2019 (n = 14,287).

Trends in reported GHB-related presentations to Sydney emergency departments between 2012 and 2021.

Objectives: In overdose, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors can cause decreased levels of consciousness, coma and death. Here, we aim to describe reported exposure to GHB at four EDs in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Methods: We searched the ED databases of four Sydney metropolitan hospitals for presentations relating to GHB exposure between 2012 and 2021.

Measuring Objective and Subjective Sleep during Lisdexamfetamine Treatment of Acute Methamphetamine Withdrawal: A Feasibility Study.

Introduction: Sleep disturbance is common during methamphetamine (MA) use and withdrawal; however, the feasibility of combined subjective-objective measurement of sleep-wake has not been shown in this population. Actigraphy is a well-established, non-invasive measure of sleep-wake cycles with good concordance with polysomnography. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and utility of using actigraphy and sleep diaries to investigate sleep during MA withdrawal.

Prescription psychostimulants for the treatment of amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Background And Aims: There is currently no standard of care for pharmacological treatment of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use disorder (ATSUD). This systematic review with meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42022354492) aimed to pool results from randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate efficacy and safety of prescription psychostimulants (PPs) for ATSUD.

Methods: Major indexing sources and trial registries were searched to include records published before 29 August 2022.

Methamphetamine and emerging drugs of concern: A training needs analysis of Australian alcohol and other drug helplines.

Introduction: Fielding greater than 100,000 calls annually, telephone helplines are an important point of entry to alcohol and other drug (AOD) support and services in Australia. Methamphetamine and emerging drugs can present a particular challenge for this workforce. We sought to identify training needs for these services, so that appropriate targeted resources can be developed.

"There's a big tag on my head": exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia.

Background: Australia has a high prevalence of regular use of methamphetamine. While half of people who use methamphetamine regularly are women, they make up only one third of people seeking treatment for methamphetamine use disorder. There is a lack of qualitative research into the facilitators and barriers to treatment for women who use methamphetamine regularly.

Meaningful cognitive decline is uncommon in virally suppressed HIV, but sustained impairment, subtle decline and abnormal cognitive aging are not.

Background: High antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and viral suppression among people with HIV (PWH) in Australia provide a unique context to study individual cognitive trajectories, cognitive aging and factors associated with longitudinal cognitive function during chronic and stable HIV disease.

Methods: Participants from the Predictors of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy study (n = 457, recruited between September 2013 and November 2015, median age = 52 years, and all with HIV RNA <50 copies mL) completed a cognitive assessment with CogState Computerized Battery (CCB) at baseline, Month-12, and Month-24. Demographics, psycho-social and socioeconomic factors, healthcare seeking behaviors, HIV disease characteristics and comorbidities were assessed.

Health and social characteristics of clients reporting amphetamine type substance use at entry to public alcohol and other drug services in New South Wales, Australia, 2016-2019.

Introduction: Amphetamine type substances (ATS) are commonly used by Australian alcohol and other drug service entrants. We describe demographic characteristics, patterns of ATS and other substance use, health and social conditions among clients entering New South Wales (NSW) public alcohol and other drug services.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 13,864 records across six health districts (2016-2019) for clients seeking substance use treatment.

Inpatient GHB withdrawal management in an inner-city hospital in Sydney, Australia: a retrospective medical record review.

Rationale: Regular consumption of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) may result in a dependence syndrome that can lead to withdrawal symptoms. There are limited data on medications to manage GHB withdrawal.

Objectives: To examine characteristics associated with delirium and discharge against medical advice (DAMA), in the context of implementing a GHB withdrawal management protocol at an inner-city hospital in 2020.