A Telephone-delievered Intervention to Reduce Methamphetamine Use

Turning Point204 enrolled

Overview

Australia has one of the highest rates of methamphetamine use in the world; however, uptake of face-to-face psychological treatment remains extremely low due to numerous individual (e.g. stigma, shame) and structural (e.g. service availability, geography) barriers to accessing care. Addressing these barriers through the provision of alternative treatment delivery models is imperative, particularly as effective and earlier intervention is likely to reduce the need for more costly and intensive treatment resulting from escalating methamphetamine use. In this project, the investigators will conduct the first double-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the effectiveness of the structured telephone-delivered intervention, Ready2Change (R2C), among participants with methamphetamine use problems (R2C-M). Cost effectiveness of R2C-M will also be investigated. Factors influencing program implementation will be evaluated to inform the scalability of this intervention for practice nationally, and for replication internationally.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

204

Conditions

Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Interventions

R2C-M comprises 12 modules addressing core practice elements and skills from evidence-based cognitive and behavioural interventions. Modules include: (i) self-monitoring, goal setting and behaviour change skills; (ii) identification of strengths and motivational enhancement; (iii) relapse prevention; (iv) psychoeducation and harm reduction; (v) emotion regulation skills; (vi) anger management skills; (vii) urges and cravings management skills; (viii) sleep hygiene skills; (ix) mindfulness skills; (x) interpersonal skills; (xi) anxiety management skills; (xii) depressed mood management skills. The R2C-M workbooks contain psychoeducation and intervention exercises, to facilitate counsellor-delivered exercises within sessions, and between-session practice.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18+ years * Mild or moderate methamphetamine use disorder (DSM-5 diagnosis confirmed at baseline assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders - Research Version, SCID-5-RV) * Used methamphetamine on at least two occasions in the past month * Seeking to reduce methamphetamine use * Able to provide informed consent, and comply with the requirements of the treatment protocol * Willing to provide the contact details of their general practitioner or other treating physician, for follow-up * English as a first language or fluent * Educated to high school level (literacy) * Regular access to a telephone * Postal/email address to receive intervention materials Exclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving treatment for substance use disorder (e.g. medically supervised detoxification, residential rehabilitation, drug counselling, pharmacotherapy - this criterion applies only at trial enrolment, and does not preclude the participant from entering treatment/receiving usual care during the trial) * Requiring acute care for severe substance use disorder (DSM-5 diagnosis confirmed at baseline using the SCID-5-RV, with oversight from the Principal Investigator or Study Clinician) * Requiring acute care for active suicidality or unstable psychiatric condition * A diagnosed primary psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) * Pregnancy * Hearing impairment that would prohibit participation in telephone intervention / follow-up assessments

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Methamphetamine problem severity

Change in methamphetamine problem severity (Drug Use Disorders Identification Test; DUDIT)

Time frame: 3-months post-randomisation

Secondary Outcomes

Methamphetamine problem severity

Change in methamphetamine problem severity (DUDIT)

Time frame: 6- and 12-months post-randomisation

Number of methamphetamine use days

Change in number of methamphetamine use days (Timeline Followback; TLFB)