Current Addiction Reports
September 2, 2026
Kathryn Fletcher, Jack Freestone, Nadine Ezard et al.
Abstract Purpose of Review Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has re-emerged as a potential intervention for substance use disorders (SUDs), yet the psychological mechanisms underlying behaviour change remain poorly synthesised. This scoping review mapped and evaluated proposed psychological processes underpinning PAT in adults with SUDs. Recent Findings Peer-reviewed English-language empirical...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
June 24, 2026
Kathryn Fletcher, Nadine Ezard, Krista J. Siefried et al.
Background Methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) is associated with substantial psychiatric and physical morbidity, and current treatment options remain limited. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has shown promise in substance use disorders, but little is known about how individuals experience and interpret this intervention, particularly in MAUD. Qualitative investigation may provide insight...
Drug and Alcohol Review
March 1, 2026
Jack Freestone, Harriet MacDonald, Stassi Kypri et al.
Drug alerts are sometimes issued when samples are found to exceed a pre-determined dose threshold. In Australia, it is common for alerts to be issued when MDMA pills contain ≥ 150 mg of MDMA free-base or 179 mg hydrochloride. Nineteen such alerts were issued in Australia in 2024, raising concerns that repeat alerts may lose impact over time. This study examined experts' viewpoints on the...
Harm Reduction Journal
February 6, 2026
Keaton Hudson-Buhagiar, Jonathan Brett, Alanah Spillane et al.
1 citation
Harms associated with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use have increased recently in Australia. However, research predominantly focuses on the experience of GHB use among LGBTQ + populations. Non-prescribed GHB use has not been well described in heterosexual populations. Research to examine the experience of heterosexual people, including motivations for use, experiences of harms, and utilisation...
Addiction
September 20, 2025
Elizabeth Knock, Krista J. Siefried, Gillinder Bedi et al.
4 citations
Abstract Background & Aims There are few effective treatments for methamphetamine use disorder, despite increasing global demand. Here, we assessed the safety and feasibility of outpatient psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder. Design Single arm, open label pilot study. Setting Outpatient public stimulant treatment program at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney,...
BMJ Open
February 10, 2025
Kathryn Fletcher, Nadine Ezard, Krista J. Siefried et al.
1 citation
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. In addition to direct antidepressant...
The International journal on drug policy
November 1, 2021
Amy Peacock, Daisy Gibbs, Olivia Price et al.
12 citations
Colorimetric reagent kits can provide information about the compounds present in drug samples. This study aimed to identify patterns and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use, as well as behavioural outcomes of testing, amongst people who use illegal stimulants in a context that lacks permanent government-sanctioned drug checking services. Australians residing in capital cities who...