Engage for Change 

Turning Point Research and Consumer Participation Opportunities

Welcome to the first edition of "Engage for Change" for 2026!

A heartfelt thank‑you to everyone who has recently taken part in one of Turning Point’s research studies. Your time, generosity and commitment help us build stronger evidence, improve treatment options and create better outcomes for communities. 

We are especially grateful for the 202 participants who volunteered for the Modif‑i tobacco study, which aims to help reduce automatic responses to tobacco‑related cues. Final follow‑ups for this study are underway, with results due to be analysed soon. 

We also send our thanks to the people who recently expressed interest in participating in our study about their experiences accessing a mental health service for mental health and substance use concerns. We received an amazing response and have completed interviewing for the project. The generous insights shared will help us develop a training resource designed to cultivate safe, welcoming and non-judgmental services for people with co-occurring needs. For anyone we weren't able to interview, please keep an eye out for future research participation opportunities. 

These are only two of our many recent studies that are possible because of the commitment of volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you.

Keep reading for current opportunities to participate in Turning Point research.

Research update: “Brain training” app reduces alcohol consumption by one-third

We’re pleased to share new findings from our latest research: a personalised smartphone “brain training” app has been found to help people receiving outpatient treatment for alcohol dependence reduce their drinking by one‑third.

Four months after installing the app, participants had significantly reduced their alcohol consumption. 

The app works by retraining the brain’s automatic responses to alcohol‑related cues such as pubs and bottle shops, alcohol advertising, or the sights, sounds and smells of drinking at social events. By reducing how strongly people notice and react to these triggers, the app supports recovery and helps prevent relapse.

Thank you to everyone who made this research possible.

Invitation to Participate in Research

We currently have eight studies open for participants who are eligible. Please share this information with your friends, family and colleagues to help us reach everyone who might be interested.

Help shape the future of substance use treatment in Australia

Take our survey and help guide the future of psychedelic therapies.

Australia is the first country to approve MDMA and psilocybin as treatments for certain mental health conditions. As research into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) grows, it's vital to understand the views of those who may benefit most. Your insights will help shape future services and ensure PAT is safe, accessible and appropriate for diverse communities.

Participation involves completing an online survey. It takes around 25 minutes and is anonymous and confidential.

Who is eligible: If you are over 18 years old and have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) or believe that you have one, your experience is valuable to us.

Are you a Victorian resident who would like to cut back on your drinking? 

Help us trial a new “breathing” app and smartwatch for people who are trying to reduce their alcohol use. 

Participating involves:

• Answering surveys about your alcohol use, craving, related problems and quality of life ($20 voucher)
• Using the app and wearable device for 1 month 
• Attending a 2-hour in-person and orientation session in Richmond, Victoria
• 4 telephone-based breathing training sessions
• Attending follow-up assessments at one month and 3 months online and in person ($40 voucher and $80 vouchers, respectively)
• You will be able to keep the watch if you wear it for 80% of the study, valued at $200.

Who is eligible: Victorians over 18 years who wish to reduce their alcohol use are invited to complete the questions on the following link to determine if they are eligible. 

Are you looking to get off meth?

Help researchers investigate a new medication to assist with methamphetamine withdrawal

Participation involves a seven-day hospital stay (staying overnight), followed by five follow-up phone calls or surveys spaced between one week and three months after you leave the hospital. 

You will be compensated for your time.

Who is eligible: 

• You are seeking treatment for methamphetamine withdrawal.
• You are at least 18 years old.
• You can commit to a 7-day inpatient stay (staying overnight) in one of the participating study locations in Melbourne (Box Hill), Sydney, Newcastle or Perth. 
• You have NOT previously enrolled in the OLAM study at ay site in any state. 

Do you live in Melbourne and drink alcohol? 

Help us learn more about automatic reactions to alcohol images by joining our study using cutting-edge technologies.

Monash University is seeking people aged 18+ to participate in research investigating how changes in attention and impulses relate to drinking alcohol.

Participation involves a 3-hour in-person session in Caulfield, Melbourne, to test your emotional, physical and behavioural reactions while viewing pictures and videos of alcohol.

You will be reimbursed for your time.

If you would like to participate, please complete the form via the following link, and we will contact you to determine if you are eligible.

Is alcohol affecting the quality of your sleep?

We are seeking participants who have recently detoxed from alcohol to take part in a study investigating a medication to relieve insomnia symptoms and alcohol problems.

Participation involves trialling a medication for 14 days, wearing sleep monitoring equipment, and completing some questionnaires. The study is open-label, meaning everyone who participates will receive the medication. Those involved will receive medical checks and be in the care of clinicians with extensive training and experience.

The study is entirely confidential and voluntary. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

Who is eligible: 

• You have recently completed or are planning to complete a supervised alcohol detoxification program.
• You are seeking to maintain abstinence from alcohol post-detox.
• You have insomnia or difficulties with sleeping.

Are you struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and your use of alcohol?

Join our clinical trial of a novel treatment for PTSD and alcohol use problems.

Participation involves an assisted psychotherapy program. The study is randomised and placebo-controlled.

The study is entirely confidential and voluntary. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

Who may be eligible: 

• Adults 18+ who have been diagnosed with PTSD,
• Who are having difficulties cutting down or controlling their drinking, and
• Who are willing to participate in a randomised controlled trial.

If you are interested in participating, click below to learn more or email us at: trialsTP@easternhealth.org.au

Are you a Melbourne resident aged 18–49 who has had alcohol in the past 90 days?

Help researchers test personalised brain-based treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder.

Melbourne residents are invited to take part in a clinical trial testing personalised, brain-based treatments for alcohol use disorder using advanced neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation at Monash University’s Clayton campus.

Participation involves: Attending multiple on-site sessions at Monash University’s BrainPark in Clayton, including MRI, non-invasive brain stimulation and cognitive assessments. 

Participation is entirely voluntary and confidential. 

Eligible participants may receive up to $1,200 in gift vouchers for their time and contribution.

Who is eligible: Adults aged 18–49 living in Melbourne who have consumed alcohol in the past 90 days, are available for in-person and virtual sessions, and have no history of seizures or serious mental illness.

Are you a resident of NSW and currently drinking more alcohol than you would like?

Help us improve treatments for people who want to reduce their alcohol intake.

New evidence suggests certain antioxidants (commonly found in leafy green vegetables) may help reduce drinking and craving in individuals who want to stop or reduce their drinking.

Residents of NSW are invited to take part in a research study that aims to explore the effectiveness of a new treatment program in reducing heavy alcohol use and cravings.

Participation involves a 12-week treatment program that includes a medical assessment with our specialist and ongoing monitoring to assist you throughout the program.

Participation in this trial will not result in any cost to you.

Who is eligible: People aged 18-70 years who are having difficulties cutting down or controlling their drinking.

If you are interested in participating, click below to learn more or contact us:

• Phone: 0402 297 973
• Email: nac-aud.trials@sydney.edu.au

Are you willing to share your experiences with the media?

When issues about alcohol and other drug use, gambling, or mental health are being discussed in the media, we may be looking for people who are willing to speak about their experiences.  

By sharing your experiences, you can help to change how society sees and responds to addiction and the issues faced by people experiencing harm from gambling, alcohol and other drug use.

To express your interest in sharing your experience with the media, please email us with your name (or pseudonym), your contact details and a few words about your experience: media@turningpoint.org.au 

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