Monthly Archives: January 2008

Numbing The Pain: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse

“NUMBING THE PAIN: POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

PROFESSOR LISA M. NAJAVITS.

The Alcohol & Drug Foundation – Queensland, presents this unique opportunity to attend a full-day practical workshop with Professor Lisa M Najavits, author of the Seeking Safety program.

The goal of this workshop is to describe current state-of-the art knowledge about the treatment of patients with the dual diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, a population that is typically considered “difficult to treat”.

The workshop will cover background on PTSD and substance abuse (including rates, the “typical case”, models and stages of treatment, clinical dilemmas, and ge nder issues) and clinical Interventions for PTSD and substance abuse (including demonstration of specific treatment strategies, assessment tools, and community resources). In-depth description of the Seeking Safety psychotherapy for PTSD and substance abuse will be a major focus.

REGISTRATION FORM AND MORE INFORMATION WWW.WINTERSCHOOL.INFO
PLEASE CONTACT DINIE ON (07) 3834 0214

More information on the workshop and Lisa Najavits can be found at www.seekingsafety.org. “

Grapefruit interacting with prescription medications?

I saw this interesting email this week:

“Does Grapefruit affect the drugs you take?

If you look at the average breakfast table you’ll find many potential health hazards: coffee, breakfast cereals loaded with sugar, greasy bacon and fried eggs. So most of us would think grapefruit is a welcome nutritious addition.

But if you’re taking certain medications then you should steer clear of grapefruit. That’s because grapefruit contains a substance that interacts with a long list of drugs regularly found in medicine cabinets across the country.

Geraldine Moses, a senior pharmacist from the Adverse Medicine Events Information Line, says there is evidence that an average 200 ml glass of normal strength grapefruit juice (straight from the fruit) can cause “a clinically significant interaction with a list of drugs as long as your arm”.

ABC Health & Wellbeing story:
http://www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2008/01/23/2123319.htm

Listing of affected medications:
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/25/2/artid/797”

The list of medications this may be an issue with is of concern: Amiodarone, Atorvastatin, Carbamazepine, Cisapride, Diazepam, Simvastatin and Triazolam are just a few where the link is being queried.

Two Clinical Psychologist positions (Sydney, NSW)

“Ted Noffs Foundation

2 positions:

1. Clinical Psychologist (Drug and Alcohol)

2. Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health)

The Ted Noffs Foundation is continuing the legacy of the legendary humanitarian, Ted Noffs, who founded the organisation more than 37 years ago. Ted Noffs provides vital and specialised services for young people who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems and related trauma and their families. We are an advocate for evidence-based practice in the provision of drug and alcohol/ mental health, early intervention and treatment services.

We are currently looking for 2 full-time Clinical Psychologists to provide clinical support and workforce development activities. The two roles have similar responsibilities but one will have a stronger focus on Drug and Alcohol and the other on Mental Health. Applicants for both roles will need extensive experience working with co-morbid clients. Both roles will provide clinical services to our staff and clients (young people with serious Drug and Alcohol problems), participate in the review and evaluation of our services, and contribute to various workforce development initiatives including training and presentations at team meetings

Successful candidates will have all relevant clinical qualifications and approximately 5 years experience in a similar role. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential as well as the ability to work well both autonomously and as a part of a team.

Please note:
A person prohibited by the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 is not eligible to apply. Applicants must be willing to complete and submit the NSW Government ‘Working with Children’ background check consent and declaration forms, and the Ted Noffs Foundation criminal record check consent form. These are legal requirements for working with children in New South Wales.

For further information and a job description please contact Mark Ferry, Acting Programs Manager, on (02) 93100133 or email ferrym@noffs.org.au

Closing date: 30th January 2008.”

Fighting the Drugs War: The role of prohibitionist groups in Australian illicit drugs policy

The title of this post is also a seminar coming up in Melbourne at Turning Point:

“Prohibitionist lobby groups appear to be exerting an increasing influence on Australian illicit drugs policy. Yet remarkably little is known about their history, membership, sources of funding, political and ideological agenda, and employment of empirical evidence. Dr Mendes will discuss the key activities and objectives of these groups, drawing some conclusions about their current and likely future influence on national drugs policy.

Friday 8 February
1-2 pm
142 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
The seminar is free.
All welcome, bookings essential, ring 03 8413 8413 or email info@turningpoint.org.au

For information about the February – June program, please visit the Turning Point website: http://www.turningpoint.org.au/service_information/si_talkingpoint.html

Launch of the National Cannabis Information and Helpline – 1800 30 40 50

Here’s a noteworthy addition to Australian telephonic support in ATOD:

“National Cannabis Information and Helpline – 1800 30 40 50

Do you need information on cannabis?

Do you know someone concerned about their own cannabis use, or that of a friend or family member?

Does a client need support and advice around their cannabis use?

Does someone you know want to stop using cannabis and needs help to do so?

The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) mission is to reduce the use of cannabis in Australia by preventing uptake and providing the community with evidence-based information and interventions.

One of the most important services that NCPIC offers is the National Cannabis Information and Helpline which commences operation on Monday 14th January 2008. The Helpline will be launched formally later in the year.

The aim of the line is to provide a national free call telephone service to the general community on all issues relating to cannabis. Trained telephone counsellors can provide callers with evidence-based information on cannabis as well as targeted advice and brief intervention for cannabis users, their families and concerned others.

The call is free nationally.

For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Dillon on (02) 9385 0226.

Paul Dillon
National Communications Manager
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC)
UNSW
SYDNEY NSW 2052”

New youth mental health centres on the way

The new Health Minister has made an announcment that may be of interest (my thoughts after the details):

“Young people at risk of mental health and drug and alcohol problems will benefit from the establishment of 20 new headspace Communities of Youth Services centres throughout Australia.

Headspace, Australia’s national youth mental health foundation, is funded by the Australian Government to provide people aged 12 to 25 with better mental health support, as well as help for drug and alcohol problems. Establishing new local youth mental health services is an important means of providing this support.

Headspace is providing almost $19 million to set up the 20 new centres, most of which will be located in regional and rural areas.

There is a pressing need for such centres, with as many as one young Australian in four having a mental health problem in any 12-month period. There are also strong links between drug and alcohol abuse and mental health problems.

The Rudd Labor Government is focused on the importance of prevention and early intervention in all areas of health, including mental health. This investment is an important contribution towards ensuring the long-term wellness of the wider Australian community, which will deliver personal, social and economic benefits.

For example, we know from a recent Productivity Commission report that mental or nervous conditions have dramatic effects on workforce participation – in fact, a greater effect than cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Health workers know that early intervention and support are vital for young people in trying to manage mental health problems.

The need for more youth services is particularly urgent in regional and rural Australia, where many communities continue to struggle with the impact of drought and high unemployment. Fourteen of the 20 new centres I am announcing today are located in regional and rural communities.

Regional and rural Australia have often suffered from a lack of health services. This investment will help tackle that gap.

Those areas include the Hunter, Riverina and Central West of New South Wales, Gippsland, the south-west and the Mornington Peninsula region in Victoria, and the rapidly growing twin cities region of Townsville and Thuringowa in Queensland.

Each centre funded under this round will receive almost $1 million to cover the costs of establishment, and to help better coordinate youth mental health and drug and alcohol support services throughout each region.

The Government is committed to working with state and territory governments to deliver better mental health services for all Australians.”

It’s a nice start but that’s about it – $19 million for 20 centres isn’t going to buy a hell of a lot. Here’s hoping they’re funded well enough to actually be able to demonstrate some outcomes. There’s nothing worse than a token effort in any health area.

Co-occurring disorders – new resources available

For those interested in Co-occurring disorders may find the following interesting:

“The USAs Federal Co-occurring Disorders Centre for Excellence has just released 3 new publications in their Co-occurring Disorders Overview Papers Series.

The new overviews are:

1. Services Integration

This overview paper defines and explains services integration and differentiates services integration from systems integration.

Services integration refers to the process of merging previously separate clinical services at the level of the individual to meet the substance abuse, mental health, and other needs of persons with co-occurring disorders (COD). The paper examines issues concerning the context, content, approaches, and processes that promote and inhibit services integration.

PDF 392 kb

2. Systems Integration

A growing body of research demonstrates that integrated services produce better outcomes for individuals with co-occurring disorders (COD), particularly those with more serious or complex conditions. Systems integration supports the provision of integrated services. In addition to distinguishing between systems integration and services integration, this paper describes the organizational structures and processes that can promote or inhibit systems integration. The paper encourages the use of creative thinking to obtain and effectively use funding and provides examples of successful initiatives in systems integration at the local and State levels. Although evaluation of the process of systems integration is still in its infancy, one measure of systems integration outcomes is discussed.

PDF 458 kb

The Epidemiology of Co-occurring Disorders

The paper is presented in two parts. Part 1 is intended for non-scientists and explains what epidemiology is and how it can be used by practitioners, administrators, and policymakers. Part 1 also presents some highlights from past epidemiologic studies of co-occurring disorders (COD) (see Literature Highlights) and introduces three major national studies that are regularly used as sources of information on the nature and extent of COD problems in the United States.

Part 2 presents some detailed technical information on these three studies and is intended for audiences who have some familiarity with epidemiologic methods.

PDF 392 kb

Earlier Overview papers (also downloadable) include:

1. Definitions and Terms Relating to Co-Occurring Disorders

2 Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Planning for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders

3. Overarching Principles To Address the Needs of Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders

4. Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Non-Traditional Service Settings

5. Understanding Evidence-Based Practices for Co-Occurring Disorders”.

I feel very old and ill-informed as I was unaware that dual diagnosis was now co-occurring disorders…… Thanks to Gary Croton for posting this info to the ADCA Update list,

2008 predictions for Australian Drug Policy

I thought I’d add yet another predictions blog post to all those already out there. In 2008 I believe the following will occur in relation to ATOD policy in Australia:

1. There won’t be much change at all. At a federal level I still remain hopeful that there’ll be some change in policy direction but I don’t believe the basic structures or approach will change. Prevention services may see a little more money but law enforcement will remain the golden child. I’d be surprised if there was any significant change to the ANCD.

2. NGOs will get more scrutiny. Organisations like Drug Free Australia will hopefully be looked at a little more closely in regard to outcomes and evidence-based practice.

3. Business interest in prevention will grow. Large organisations are finally starting to get the message that keeping their employees healthy is a productivity enhancing thing. ATOD prevention initiatives will increasingly form part of the picture – 2008 will see that evolution continue although there’s a long way to go yet.

4. Drugs in sport will gets lots of attention. Given 2008 is an Olympics year, this is a no-brainer.

5. Crystal Meth will dominate tabloid media on ATOD. Another easy prediction.

What are your predictions for the coming year? What do you think will come to pass that we’ll look back on as significant in a year’s time?