We are a group of health professionals and researchers with a strong interest in mental and public health. Alcohol-related death and disability now account for a greater cost in life and longevity than tobacco (World Health Organisation and World Bank) indicating the need for new and effective treatment programs for people with alcohol dependence.

Our work is at the forefront of alcohol treatment in Australia. Your involvement in one of our studies will not only contribute to future treatments of alcohol dependence nationwide, but also be of immense help in achieving your abstinence or moderation goals.

Investigators

Professor Paul Haber is the founder and Chair of the Sydney Alcohol Research Group (SATG). Professor Haber is a Chief Investigator on all of the projects undertaken by the SATG. His role as Medical Director of Drug Health Services, SSWAHS, is to oversee the conduct of all research projects and to deliver medical services at the RPA site. Professor Haber has a long standing interest in alcoholism and for many years has been conducting successful research into relapse in alcohol dependence, pathogenesis of liver disease, hepatitis C and alcoholic pancreatitis. He has a Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, Honours), Doctor of Medicine (MD) and is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP).

Professor Maree Teesson is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), the University of New South Wales. She has a long standing interest in mental health and substance use research, including clinical outcome and epidemiological studies of the prevalence and treatment of these disorders. Dr Teesson has strong links to mental health policy as a member of both state and commonwealth government committees and is the co-ordinator for commonwealth initiatives including the National Comorbidity Project. She has also been instrumental in establishing compliance therapy as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence.

Dr Andrew Baillie is a Senior Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Macquarie University. Dr Baillie is a registered Clinical Psychologist in New South Wales and has extensive experience in addiction and mental health research, resulting in numerous peer-reviewed publications. Dr Baillie has particular expertise in thorough psychological assessment and treatment intervention for comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders.

Dr Claudia Sannibale is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a Research Fellow at National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). She has extensive clinical experience in the field of alcohol and mental health problems and has conducted several studies of treatment outcome for alcohol dependence. Dr Sannibale is chief investigator on several studies being conducted at RPA and NDARC, in particular, treatment studies of alcohol problems and comorbid social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Kirsten Morley is an NHMRC Research Fellow at Drug Health Services. She has a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), a Masters of Public Health, and a PhD. She has a strong interest in psychopharmacology, mental illness and substance abuse. She has previously tutored and lectured undergraduate psychology and pharmacology at The University of Sydney in the areas of psychology, neuropharmacology and addiction.

Stefanie Leung is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Drug Health Services. Dr Leung holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a PhD from The University of Sydney, and is currently coordinating the alcohol treatment projects at RPA. She also has a particular interest in psychopharmacology and the effects of drugs and alcohol on driving performance and road safety.

Cathy Heyes has a Bachelor of Applied Science in occupational therapy at Sydney University. She is currently completing her Masters of Health Science in Drug and Alcohol Studies at Newcastle University. Her professional experience has been in the area of counselling, mental health and pain management. She has over 5 years experience in the drug and alcohol field. Her special interests are exploring and developing clinical skills from an occupational therapy as they apply to drug health. She is currently completing her PhD studies.

Collaborators

Martin Weltman is an Associate Professor in Drug & Alcohol Studies at the Western School, Department of Medicine, The University of Sydney. He is the Medical Specialist for Drug Health in the Western Area Health Service, Nepean Hospital. He is also involved in delivering medical services at Nepean Hospital for research projects.

Nghi Phung is involved in providing medical services at Nepean Hospital for research projects.