New heroin treatment option yielding positive results among patients at Melbourne injecting rooms (ABC). Recently, there was an article posted on the ABC regarding a trial of long-acting injectable buprenorphine in a clinic in Richmond, Victoria, as part of a push to improve outcomes for medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence. The article is written […]
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
Drug-using nursing mothers and breastfeeding outcome: a cohort-study. Published in: Saúde Mental, Alchool e Drogas (Portuguese translation: Mental health, alcohol and drugs). By: Ribeiro, S, & Fernandes, R. 2021 WHAT WAS THE STUDY ABOUT? The aim of this study was to assess the association between substance use and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding among […]
NHMRC LOW RISK DRINKING GUIDELINES!
Did you know that NHMRC have updated their low-risk drinking guidelines? The new guidelines released in December 2020 recommend no more than 4 standard drinks on any one occasion, and no more than 10 standard drinks per week. The guidelines also recommend zero alcohol consumption for both children under the age of 18, and for […]
REMINDER: Telephone and Video Consultations Manual available to download
As you are well aware, COVID-19 continues to present serious threats to the health and well-being of all Australians. In light of the decision by the Victorian Government to initiate lock down protocol, it is now more important than ever that we, as clinicians and health practitioners, continue in our efforts to deliver effective […]
NEW PODCAST APPEARANCE!
Recently, Associate Professor Robert Ali appeared on the Real Drug Talk podcast with Jack Nagle, to chat about addiction, and the state of drug policy in Australia. As you know, Robert was the Clinical Director at Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) for 30 years, and so his views are widely respected in […]
NEWS ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
THE CONVERSATION: Vaping and e-cigarettes are glamourised on social media, putting young people in harm’s way Authored by Associate Professor Jonine Jancey, Curtin University. Having read the excellent piece by Associate Professor Jonine Jancey published recently in The Conversation about e-cigarettes and vaping, it is becoming increasingly evident that the current practices towards […]
Telephone and video consultation -Zoom Gloom
There is a new phenomenon hitting the world – Zoom Gloom! As a nurse and recent sufferer of this condition, let me explain. It is the unexplainable tiredness and low mood at the end of a video conference. Contributing factors include; poor internet connection, technical fails, people speaking with their mute button on, screen freezers, […]
ASSIST-Lite Virtual Training via Eventbrite
-Do you work in a time pressured environment? -Do you see people who might be at risk from their substance use? -Do you want to help people cut down or stop but your not really sure about what works? Introducing, our latest series of workshops, “ASSIST-Lite: How to manage substance use using the ultra-rapid screen” […]
Do you work with patients who are at risk from their alcohol, tobacco and other drug use?
We are working in challenging times. Isolation and social distancing are putting extra pressure on our services and patients. As a health professional, I have seen first-hand the additional challenges facing my patients and their families. People cope with stress in different ways. Some people will focus on the positives and modify their life while […]