Addiction medicine
We investigate why people use drugs and the effects of drug misuse as well as seek new ways to assist in treatment for addiction.
We are interested in finding out why and how people use and misuse drugs so that we can discover effective treatments for substance use disorders. Specific areas of interest include the use of cannabidiol to treat cannabis use disorder, novel treatments for substance abuse, adult attention deficit disorder and substance use, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Our research in this area is spread across multiple geographical regions, including Melbourne and Shepparton. To find out more contact Professor Edward Ogden by calling +61 3 9214 5098 or emailing eogden@swinburne.edu.au.
Our studies
This project is a feasibility study for a larger randomised study. It aims to explore the safety and efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) and balanced CBD/THC products in the management of cannabis use disorder. The study will assess the ease of recruitment, side effect profile, retention rate, the impact of CBD on the quantity and frequency of illicit cannabis use, and the impact of CBD on participant mental health outcomes and wellbeing. The adaptive model allows participants to be moved from ineffective treatment arms to maximise participant benefit.
Participants will be attending the community health centre in Shepparton to collect their treatment. For each weekly visit they will complete the quality of life questionnaire and a brief self-report questionnaire measuring the amount of cannabis use.
At week one (baseline) the participants will complete all measures (cannabis use, Quality of Life, Mood and Cognition). At the end of Week 6 they will complete all measures again. They will then crossover to the other treatment (either CBD or placebo). At week 12 they will complete all measures again.
Participants attending the Goulburn Valley Alcohol and Drug Service for assistance with drug and alcohol problems are surveyed for their history of life trauma. Participants are asked to complete the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire, Drug and Alcohol Screening Test and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale (brief version). This can be completed in one session or over several sessions, depending on what the participant desires.
This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of Cannabidiol (CBD) in reducing dependence on cannabis use compared to placebo, and to explore the subjective mood and effects on Quality of Life and changes in cognition compared to placebo.
This is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, 6-week within-subject crossover study comprising of oral CBD and placebo. Participants will be attending the community health centre in Shepparton to collect their treatment. For each weekly visit they will complete the quality of life questionnaire and a brief self-report questionnaire measuring the amount of cannabis use.
At week one (baseline) the participants will complete all measures (cannabis use, Quality of Life, Mood and Cognition). At the end of Week 6 they will complete all measures again. They will then crossover to the other treatment (either CBD or placebo). At week 12 they will complete all measures again. The study duration will therefore comprise 12 weeks (6 weeks CBD and 6 weeks placebo, randomised for each participant in terms of order).
Cook J., Lloyd-Jones M., Arunogiri S., Ogden E., Bonomo Y. Managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults using illicit psychostimulants: A systematic review, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2017
Ogden E. J. D., Verster J. C., Hayley A. C., Downey L. A., Hocking B., Stough C. K. et al. When should the driver with a history of substance misuse be allowed to return to the wheel? A review of the substance misuse section of the Australian national guidelines, Internal Medicine Journal 2018: 48: 908-915
Contact the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology
There are many ways to engage with us. If your organisation is dealing with a complex problem, get in touch to discuss how we can work together to provide solutions. Call us on +61 3 9214 4444 or email chp@swinburne.edu.au.