There’s a lot of reasons people decide to quit using cannabis. You might be smoking up every day, spending more time or money on it than you want to, or be worried about the very real health harms that can come with chronic cannabis use. Cannabis harm reduction is one way to make sure you’re not doing yourself a disservice – it might include cutting down the amount you’re using, seeking treatment, or making use of some savvy tips that will help you keep it together and stay healthy when smoking (especially for daily smokers).

Time to be honest – while many Australians smoke cannabis occasionally or regularly, chronic and everyday smoking can cause a range of health and social problems that together can be known as Cannabis Use Disorder. The CBD-CUD study is a new study looking at treatment of cannabis use disorder. Led by the University of Sydney and rolling out across sites in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne, the study focuses on whether CBD (in combination with counselling) can help people with cannabis use disorder reduce their cannabis use.

Australian researchers have just completed the worlds first study into psychedelic assisted psychotherapies (PAT) for methamphetamine use disorder. But what is PAT? And how could it change the treatment landscape?

There is an ongoing clinical trial of giving psilocybin (the active ingredient in ‘magic mushrooms’) to help people who are living with a methamphetamine (‘meth’ or ‘ice’) use disorder. Maureen Steele is a Peer Worker who helped design the trial to ensure it gives users what they need to succeed.

Many people who are dependent on illicit opioids (such as heroin) have benefited from the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), which allows them to be prescribed a ‘substitute’ opioid such as methadone or buprenorphine. A replacement program like that for people who use stimulants (such as methamphetamine) doesn’t exist. However, some promising research into possible stimulant replacement treatment is happening.

On May 10, the Commonwealth Government announced additional funding for, and changes to, the Opioid Dependence Treatment Program (ODTP). Read about them here.

Dr Karen Hitchcock is one of Australia’s first authorised prescribers of medicinal cannabis and a supporter of its benefits. She recently spoke at the “Garden States” conference, run by Entheogenesis Australis (EGA), where she outlined how the medicinal cannabis world has changed over the last 4 years. She busted some old myths like “If you don’t have multiple sclerosis (MS) or epilepsy, you can't get prescribed cannabis”, “Only a few doctors in Australia can prescribe”, “There’s only a couple of cannabis oils that can be prescribed.” The following is based on her informative and insightful responses at a Q&A at the conference.

At Users News we often hear stories about people facing stigma when accessing OTP services. However, there’s always somewhere worse, and if the issue is stigmatisation of people who use drugs, that somewhere is often the USA. American harm reduction activist Danielle Russell was in Australia last year and was with a friend when they were picking up their methadone. She was totally blown away by the fact that her Australian friend was treated like a human. She wrote this article for Filter magazine when she returned to the US.

Jack’s friend became mentally unwell and he desperately wanted to help but unfortunately, he started to burn out. Jack talks about what you can do to support a friend, and how to set healthier boundaries.

Maali wrote to UN and asked: “I am worried about using methadone as I get older because there are no obviously older people at my clinics. I am looking for my elders and I can’t see them. Where are the people in their 70s, 80s and 90s?”

There is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP). Which OTP medication is most beneficial will be different for different people. One of the newer OTP medications is Long Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB), also called “depot bupe”. Two brands — Buvidal and Sublocade — were approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration in April 2020.

Kiaran told Users News about how depot bupe has benefitted him but might not be best OTP medication for everyone.

Alex has been dependent on opioids for 20 years. When conventional treatments did not help him reach his goal of abstinence, he looked to ibogaine treatment. UN interviewed him the week before and 2 weeks after the 7-day guided treatment. Alex’s model of treatment isn’t about not using drugs, it’s about freeing himself from habits that don’t serve him.

Dr Lachlan McPhail, psychiatrist with the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, has expertise in helping people who want to reduce or stop their drug use to manage cravings and triggers. Here’s his top tips.

Gail Gray is a proud First Nation Wiradjuri Woman who grew up on Gadigal land in Sydney. Gail spent over 15 years in and out of NSW jails. She has now spent 15 years using her lived experience to help women in the justice system. Gail talked to NUAA about how her choices led her to the Community Restorative Centre (CRC) as a caseworker with the Miranda Project.

Advice about treatment, changing your use and other support. Intake Lines for detox services, counseling and OTP.

They call it “liquid handcuffs” but for me the freedom was instant. Here’s why I am using methadone on the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

Here is some info about OTP was well as advice from peers.

Here is some info on OTP medications, as well as advice from peers.

This story is about a friend who would likely be alive today if he didn’t feel compelled to stop taking his life-saving medication.

‘It's really been wonderful finding new things to get me up in the morning, to get me motivated about my life.’

We caught up with PAMS co-ordinator Sarah Lord to get the benefit of her years of experience in helping Victorians on OTP.

Check out what the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights and the NSW OTP Clinical Guidelines have to say about your rights.

‘Some people will need higher than usual doses of methadone or buprenorphine for it to work properly for them. This might be because they have a high tolerance or an unusually fast metabolism…. I’m simply happy to be on the program and not be a human pin cushion anymore.’

‘All opioids have a range of effects. Some are desirable and some aren’t.’

‘'Because you can’t talk about it anywhere else, talking about injecting methadone with your peers is important.’'

Be honest with yourself – are you ready?

‘The relief and validation of talking to peers who had been through the same journey was pure magic.’

Tips from those who've done it.