Trauma and Addiction

Trauma and addiction frequently co-occur. About 1 in 2 people in addiction treatment settings have symptoms of PTSD, yet integrated treatment is not routinely available. This PhD program is aimed at translational approaches to integrated treatment for PTSD and addiction, with an exciting opportunity to be involved in both frontline clinics and desktop secondary analyses of existing datasets. The program will focus on transdiagnostic correlates of co-occurring disorders, including neurobiological, neuropsychological and psychophysiological underpinnings of presenting problems. The program is supported by projects across three NHMRC/MRFF grants, including a NHMRC Investigator Fellowship (Arunogiri), enabling the student to work across a number of national multisite clinical trials, including a study of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAT) with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The student will be part of a diverse clinical research team, and have the opportunity to be nested within Turning Point and Monash Addiction Research Centre's supportive HDR student program. This PhD program would suit applicants from a psychology, psychiatry or related mental health background.