A structured, telephone-delivered intervention to reduce methamphetamine use: study protocol for a parallel-group...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Australia faces high rates of methamphetamine (MA) use, with significant barriers to accessing in-person psychological treatment.
• Individual factors like stigma and structural issues such as service accessibility limit treatment uptake.
• Telephone-delivered interventions offer a promising solution to overcome these barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the efficacy of a standalone, structured telephone-delivered intervention for reducing MA problem severity and related harms.
• To provide an effective, low-cost, and scalable treatment option for individuals with MA use disorder who face barriers to traditional care.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 196 individuals with mild to moderate MA use disorder.
• Participants were randomized to receive either the Ready2Change-Methamphetamine (R2C-M) intervention or a control condition.
• Outcomes, including MA problem severity (DUDIT), were assessed at 6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months post-randomization.

Main Results:

• The primary outcome is the change in MA problem severity (DUDIT) at 3 months post-randomization.
• Secondary outcomes include sustained reduction in MA problem severity, reduced MA use, and improved psychological functioning.
• Cost-effectiveness and program evaluation will also be examined.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first international RCT assessing a telephone-delivered intervention for MA use disorder.
• The intervention is expected to be effective, low-cost, and scalable, reaching individuals who might not otherwise seek care.
• Successful implementation can prevent future harms and reduce healthcare and community costs.