This presentation aims to provide the health care professional with the principles of rational prescribing and dispensing of benzodiazepines and z-drugs, as well as recommendations of best practice for tapering and discontinuation of these medicines when applicable. Debbie Rigby is an Advanced Practice Pharmacist with postgraduate qualifications in clinical pharmacy, geriatrics and respiratory medicine. Her […]

Relapse prevention is about building the capacity of individuals to maintain and sustain positive changes with their substance use. This 1-day workshop is designed for practitioners who provide direct support to people with AOD concerns who wish to better understand and communicate strategies, tools and techniques that can help someone stay in recovery through the […]

Prerequisite eLearning: Online Induction Material – Module 2  NB: This course is a pre-requisite for the “Assessing and Managing Withdrawal” workshop. This workshop covers foundational knowledge and concepts required to work in the alcohol and other drug field. Topics covered include: History of substance use, statistics, prevalence and rates of use Moral, legal, disease and […]

Reflective Practice Groups (RPGs) aim to promote reflection and critical thinking, provide support, foster team cohesion and help mitigate stress and compassion fatigue in healthcare workers. This talk will explore how RPG can support the interpersonal aspects of caring and explore complex clinical and practice issues in a supportive group environment. Chris is a Clinical […]

Prerequisite: eLearning - Induction - Module 4 - AOD Clinical Assessment This interactive workshop introduces participants to clinical assessment for alcohol and other drug problems. Topics covered include: raising the issue of alcohol and other drug use with clients screening instruments assessment instruments bio-psychosocial elements of assessment situational alcohol and other drug risks practical skill […]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (A&TSIHWs) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners (A&TSIHPs) are crucial in the elimination of hepatitis C. The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) invites A&TSIHWs and A&TSIHPs to join them for this free online workshop to yarn about hepatitis C with […]

Crystalline methamphetamine (“ice”) is a significant and growing public health concern in Australia, with approximately 300,000 people now dependent on this drug. There are currently no approved pharmacotherapies that can be delivered as a scaleable and cost-effective treatment to meet the growing treatment demand. Mirtazapine, an approved antidepressant medication, has recently been identified in early […]

Young people aged under 18 experience different tobacco related harms to adults and current smoking cessation treatments and policy are focussed on adults and don’t respond to harms unique to young. This presentation will summarise a qualitative study conducted with clinicians from multiple disciplines and across several settings around the barriers to smoking cessation in […]

These free one hour symposiums will showcase the work of the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE): Indigenous Health and Alcohol. Presenters are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers who bring a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities in the field. The symposiums will include these topics: Treating alcohol dependence in rehab or prison presented […]

Pharmaceutical drugs of dependence are a group of drugs that have a recognized therapeutic need but are associated with a higher potential for misuse, abuse and dependence compared with other prescription drugs. These drugs are commonly used to treat a wide variety of disorders the affect women of a reproductive age, including severe pain (opioid […]

Prerequisite: Online Induction Material – Module 5 This workshop develops core skills in working with clients who are ambivalent about making change to their substance use. This interactive skills-based course covers: motivational interviewing principles and processes using the OARS micro-counselling skills brief motivational assessment motivational interviewing strategies practical skills development. Presenter: Jennifer Brazier Please directly contact Jennifer.Brazier@health.qld.gov.au for […]

Presenter: Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin (University of Newcastle), Dr. Adrian Dunlop (University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Local Health District) and Dr. Lawrence Dadd (Hunter New England Local Health District) By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to: Understand the relationship between substance use, mental health and physical comorbidity; Understand the challenges […]

Global regulation of substances was dominated by the United Nations Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs in 1961 which was followed by the Convention of Psychotropic Substances in 1971. So began the “war on drugs”. This presentation will look at differing global approaches to the control of substances and highlight the differences between decriminalisation and legalisation. […]

Alcohol and other drug work can be challenging and comes with a high rate of burnout. As it can be mentally demanding work, you want to employ self care strategies to prevent burnt out. In this workshop, you will find out what it takes to not just survive but thrive while working in the alcohol […]

In the context of global declines in alcohol consumption, studies have recently shown that middle-aged women’s alcohol use has increased in the past decade. This webinar will describe findings from three studies on adult women’s alcohol use, including trends over time in alcohol use, correlates of risky use, qualitative research on social practices including wine […]

Prerequisite: eLearning - Induction – Module 6 - Relapse Prevention and Management This workshop will equip workers with practical and positive strategies to assist clients who experience difficulty maintaining their drug use goals including preventing and managing relapse. Topics covered include: precursors of relapse the Resolution Breakdown model identifying high risk situations for substance use […]

This event is a two hour interactive Zoom session exploring good practice responses to sexual health issues in the context of alcohol and other drugs treatment and harm reduction. The session features guest speakers: Emily Buster - Senior Public Health Officer (Communicable Diseases Branch) Robert Kemp - Principal Public Health Officer (Communicable Diseases Branch) Simon […]

For the final presentation of the year a panel of esteemed AOD experts will attempt to answer the complex and curly questions you have submitted over the previous 6 months. Test out their smarts as part of a forum for discussion and knowledge exploration - one which may just provide the answer to that question […]