MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly referred to as ecstasy, was manufactured as a potential pharmaceutical early last century. It had some limited use in the 1970s as a therapeutic aid in trauma treatment and in relationship counselling, and more recent studies using MDMA for trauma have shown some promise. Structurally, MDMA is similar to the stimulant methamphetamine

We used to think of “addiction”, or what we now call dependence, as a moral failing. This had the result of blaming the person who was addicted – it was a matter of willpower and they just weren’t trying hard enough. So the obvious solution was shaming and scolding until they did. In the mid-20th

Although 2021 was a difficult year for many, it saw some pretty major drug law reforms both locally and abroad. In the USA, we saw Oregon become the first US state to decriminalise the possession of all drugs after passing a ballot initiative in late 2020. The move is sparking discussions in other states to do the

In the past, harm reduction and abstinence were presented as opposing ideologies – it’s one or the other, but not both. More contemporary thinking views the two as different but compatible. Even in settings where people are expected to have abstinence as a treatment goal, there is room for harm reduction education and activity. Here’s why. Relapse planning Alcohol or other drug

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “#ChoosetoChallenge” – a day to challenge the inequalities for women within the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector . The rate of women struggling with substance abuse disorders (SUDs) is reported at about half the rate of men – however, this gap is closing and women

He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools – Confucius Being sharp and focused in health-care service delivery is essential. As Confucius says, sharpening one’s tools is an important part of ‘best practice’ . AOD agencies need cutting-edge practices and tools that connect evidence-based practice with practice-based knowledge. Organisations that want best