Turning Point

04/06/2026

Growing up in her father’s community pharmacy just outside London, Turning Point’s Head of Research and Workforce Development and Professor in Addiction Studies Prof Victoria Manning, became fascinated with medication from an early age.

“I understood from a young age that drugs have an incredible capacity to help and heal people but also cause profound harm,” she says.

“I think that sparked a level of interest in how substances interact with the human brain and the body – and inspired me to study psychology and eventually a PhD in schizophrenia and addiction.”

In a new article in Australasian Pharmacy, Prof Manning describes how her father’s legacy inspired her to dedicate her career to finding new ways to treat and respond to people struggling with addiction.

Read the article: https://australasianpharmacy.com.au/articles/2026/05/addiction

03/06/2026

So far this financial year, we’ve had a number of generous donations to help our work.

By supporting treatment, education and research through Turning Point, each donation helps to provide the hope, connection and support that families and individuals impacted by addiction need.

There’s still time to donate this financial year and be part of the change. Every gift, big or small, helps us to build a future free from stigma and harm.

Follow the link to support our work today: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/donate

03/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that Dr Anni Hine Moana FHEA, Lecturer in the Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours, has received the 2026 Excellence in Research Award from the Australian Counselling Association.

Sponsored by the Institute of Applied Psychology, this award recognises Dr Hine Moana’s outstanding contribution to counselling research and practice. It acknowledges her groundbreaking doctoral research exploring narrative therapy approaches with Aboriginal women, as well as the significant impact of her subsequent publications in the field.

“I am filled with deep gratitude to the Aboriginal counsellors, the women with whom they worked, and those who prepared the ground for this field of inquiry. I remain acutely aware of that debt,” Dr Hine Moana says.

“It was particularly heartening and humbling to be approached during the evening by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal counsellors who shared that my research and publications had supported and further informed their practice.”

For Dr Hine Moana, receiving the award at the ACA Conference Awards Dinner in Melbourne was not the only highlight of the evening. One of her former students from Monash University’s Master of Counselling program, Aaron Tenenbaum, received the Outstanding Student Counsellor Award.

The award recognises a student counsellor who is already making a significant contribution to the counselling profession and demonstrates exceptional promise, dedication, and commitment to both study and practice.

“I nominated Aaron because he is the most outstanding counselling student I have ever taught,” Dr Hine Moana says.

“He is intelligent, insightful, reflective, and deeply compassionate. He has also dedicated a lot of time over a number of years to supporting young people through his volunteer work.”

Congratulations to both Anni Hine Moana and Aaron Tenenbaum on these well-deserved and outstanding achievements.

02/06/2026

Wondering how addiction affects mental health?

This free BreakThrough webinar explains how substance use can affect mental health and the whole family. You’ll learn about common challenges, ways to support them safely, and how to look after your own wellbeing. It’s one hour online, supportive and practical. Don’t face it alone.

Register for the webinar today:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breakthrough-addiction-and-mental-health-tickets-1977847466013?aff=oddtdtcreator

27/05/2026

The May edition of Research Roundup is out now.

In this edition:
🔹Who could benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy, and when? Our researchers surveyed clinicians and service leaders to find out.
🔹A summary report has outlined the key findings, policy implications and recommendations of a joint review of alcohol ordering and delivery reforms.
🔹Addiction specialists have proposed a framework to ensure patients receive high-quality care when they see a GP for ADHD.
🔹Psychiatrist Dr Kathy Watson explains how supportive mentors empowered her to research stigma, inclusion and service improvement during her Master of Addictive Behaviours.
🔹Plus, our student open night, opportunities to participate in research, and more.

Keep reading: https://mailchi.mp/turningpoint/turning-point-research-updates-17335438

26/05/2026

Supporting someone with addiction can feel overwhelming, especially when safety and boundaries are a concern.

Our free BreakThrough Boundaries and Safety Plans webinar gives families and friends practical tools to feel steadier and more prepared. Learn how to set clear boundaries, deescalate tricky situations and protect your own wellbeing, while staying connected to your loved one.

It’s one hour, online and focused on real life situations. Save your spot and sign up today at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breakthrough-boundaries-and-safety-plans-tickets-1977847410848?aff=oddtdtcreator

21/05/2026

After 10 years as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Dr Kathy Watson was inspired to keep learning.

“I wanted to understand how psychiatrists and mental health services can be better equipped to respond to addiction problems within mental health treatment approaches,” she explains.

She enrolled in the Master of Addictive Behaviours with Monash University to consolidate her professional expertise.

But it was the prospect of working with experienced researchers and learning from inspiring teaching staff in the research stream that truly motivated her.

Keep reading to find out how supportive mentors and rigorous feedback empowered Dr Watson to explore stigma, inclusion and service improvement during her Master of Addictive Behaviours research:
https://www.turningpoint.org.au/about-us/news/power-mentorship-addiction-research

Curious about further study and the chance to conduct research with Turning Point? Register for our Student Open Night on Tuesday, 25 August:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/student-open-night-2026-turning-point-tickets-1985341034478 (edited)

Dr Kathy Watson explains how supportive mentors and rigorous feedback empowered her to explore stigma, inclusion and service improvement during her Master of Addictive Behaviours research.

20/05/2026

We're delighted to welcome Olivia Wang, who has joined the Clinical and Social Research team as a PhD candidate.

Under the supervision of A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri, Dr Sarah Catchlove, and Dr Ari Roxburgh, Ms Wang’s doctoral research topic is: “Heart Rate Variability and Co-occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorders”.

Since PTSD and substance dependence frequently co-occur and contribute to poorer treatment outcomes, her project could transform treatment and improve outcomes for people experiencing these conditions.

“HRV is an indication of autonomic nervous system functioning and emotional regulation, so it may help explain the physiological mechanisms linking trauma and substance use,” Ms Wang explains.

As part of her research, she will also explore whether HRV-based interventions could provide potential treatment for people experiencing co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders.

Welcome, Olivia! We look forward to supporting you on your research journey.

Keep reading: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/about-us/news/welcome-phd-candidate-olivia-wang

19/05/2026

Caring for someone with addiction can be challenging.

This free BreakThrough webinar on family relationships supports families and friends to better understand their loved one’s journey and their own. Learn practical strategies for staying connected, responding with care and recognising what’s actually helpful. It’s an easy going one hour online session with shared experiences and real conversations. You don’t have to do this alone.

Sign up for the webinar today:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breakthrough-family-relationships-tickets-1977847337629?aff=oddtdtcreator

19/05/2026

New research: Who could benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy, and when?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) can transform the lives of people who might otherwise face lifelong mental health challenges.

Understanding how it works best, who it is likely to help and in what contexts, however, is not a simple task.

“It is a complex therapy to implement,” explains Dr Sarah Catchlove, who is the co-lead author with Dr Katrin Oliver PhD, of a paper about PAT published this month in the Society for the Study of Addiction’s ‘Addiction’ journal.

“The therapy isn’t just about the psychedelic in isolation,” Dr Catchlove says. “It’s about the interplay between the psychedelic itself, the therapist's skill, client readiness and the environment.”

Keep reading:

With Australia at the forefront of global implementation of psychedelic-assisted therapy, clinicians and service leaders are identifying promising new applications that could revolutionise our mental health treatment systems.