Research and Publications

A Roadmap for Integrating Neuroscience Into Addiction Treatment: A Consensus of the Neuroscience Interest Group of the International Society of Addiction Medicine

DEC 23 2019

I am part of the Neuroscience Interest Group at the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM). Led by Prof Antonio Verdejo-Garcia at Monash University, the paper involved co-authors from around the world. We published a consensus paper on the current evidence in cognition and addiction neuroscience. #Openaccess in Frontiers in Psychiatry, this paper sheds light on new directions for neuroscience- based work in the field, with a focus on implications for the practice of frontline clinicians. 

Emotion Recognition and Impulsive Choice in Relation to Methamphetamine Use and Psychosis Symptoms

DEC 13 2019

The final paper from my PhD on methamphetamine use and psychosis, this #openaccess paper presents our findings on cognition in people who methamphetamine regularly. Those who had psychotic symptoms performed more poorly on tasks relating to recognition of emotions in others, compared to others who had no psychotic symptoms but the same degree of methamphetamine use; and compared to people without methamphetamine use.

Trends in gamma‐hydroxybutyrate‐related harms based on ambulance attendances from 2012 to 2018 in Victoria, Australia

OCT 16 2019

In our analysis of all ambulance attendances across Victoria, we found a 147% rise in GHB-related callouts. Over the past seven years, GHB co-ingestion with methamphetamine significantly rose.

Our analysis suggested we need to understand patterns of GHB and methamphetamine co-use better. 

I published this thread on twitter to unpack the main points of the paper.

Mental health outcomes associated with of the use of amphetamines: A systematic review and meta-analysis

NOV 1 2019

This work resulted from the collaboration of a team across Australia led by A/Prof Rebecca McKetin, and presents the most up-to-date meta-analysis of the odds of mental health problems related to amphetamine and methamphetamine use. 

We found people who use methamphetamine are 2x more likely to experience psychosis and depression; and 4x more likely to experience suicidal ideation- compared to those who don't use the drug. The strongest evidence was for psychosis.

Substance use and borderline personality disorder: fostering hope in the face of complexity

SEP 12 2019

This clinical paper presents a way of working with people who experience substance use problems and personality dysfunction (borderline personality disorder or complex PTSD), suggesting approaches that can empower the individual and increase hope without conferring additional harms.

It is based on the work we do at Turning Point (Melbourne) and our sister service Spectrum, the Statewide Centre of Excellence for Personality Disorder.

Pregabalin misuse-related ambulance attendances in Victoria, 2012–2017: characteristics of patients and attendances

NOV 26 2018

We found a ten-fold rise in the rates of ambulance attendances relating to the prescription drug pregabalin over 2012-2017. Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, our paper was one of the top papers in the journal in 2019 and has been nominated for an award.

I discuss the findings in detail in this MJA podcast, and the editors also discuss it in this MJA Insight editorial.