Substance Use Disorders

Group

Leader

Members

Dr Leanne Hides, Associate Professor Murat Yücel, Dr Kate Hall, Dr Steve Carroll, Kathryn Elkins, Bonnie Berridge, Dr Michael Takagi, Toni Scaffidi, Lisa Catania, Anna Kingston, Siobhan Ryan, Rebecca Scott, Zoe Shearer, Friederike Wahl-Thomas, Adrienne Brown, Ali Cheetham, Sam Fraser, Valentina Lorenzetti, George Youseff

Overview

The Substance Use Research and Recovery Focused (SURRF) program was established in 2003 to investigate the aetiology and treatment of substance use problems in young people with and without comorbid mental disorders. The unit conducts both clinical and neurobiological research, including studies that investigate the impact of substance use on adolescent development as well as co-occurring psychopathology. The unit utilises the latest neuroimaging techniques to explore the neurobiology of addictive behaviour, as well as the effect of substance use on the brain. The unit is involved in developing early intervention strategies for primary and comorbid substance use disorders in young people, including a range of psychological treatments and first aid responses.

Through its focus on improving the detection and treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use problems among young people, the SURRF program has partnered strongly with youth-focussed alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Victoria to develop an enhanced service model, as well as test the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this population. Key learnings from this project have been communicated to other comorbidity initiatives nationally (including headspace) and have been incorporated into a training program that has been delivered locally and at national workshops. Research examining the impact of comorbidity on treatment outcomes has also supported calls for greater health funding in this area.

Our neurobiological work has highlighted the potential harms of adolescent drinking/drug use on later development, including the risk for later psychopathology. In addition, our imaging work is demonstrating neuropsychological and brain deficits associated with chronic drug use, that is informing appropriate clinical and prevention responses. We have been able to convey our research findings through over 40 published publications, conference presentations and extensive media coverage (including print, radio and TV).