NAC for Ice Addiction with A/Prof. Olivia Dean

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:57:34 +0000

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In the 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey 1.3million Australians (6.3%) over the age of 14 reported having ever used methamphetamine, with 1.4% reporting recent use, within the previous twelve months. Worse still, of meth/amphetamine users, "ice" is fast becoming the preferred form of the drug, with increases in Australia from 22% to 57% in just 6 years. Ice addiction has been a growing problem in Australia both for users and the wider community impacted by the social and behavioural aspects brought about by the use of the drug.

Today we're talking with Associate Prof. Olivia Dean who is part of the team conducting a world first study to determine if N-Acetyl-cysteine (NAC) can reduce the craving for ice and ultimately, help them overcome their addiction. Known as the N-ICE trial, it's taking place right now in centres in Wollongong, Geelong and Melbourne. Olivia shares why they're exploring NAC, how it's being administered and what they hope to achieve with the study.

Covered in this episode:
[00:44] Welcoming A/Prof. Olivia Dean
[01:43] What are Impact Trials?
[02:38] Repurposing medications for psychiatric use
[04:12] Some of the challenges for nutraceutical research
[11:02] What is the N-ICE Trial?
[14:02] Physiological changes in methamphetamine addiction
[18:05] Can receptor function be restored?
[20:26] The addictive nature of Ice.
[21:48] NAC pharmacodynamics?
[23:24] Mitigating other effects of Ice
[24:27] Compliance with NAC
[27:10] Dosage and delivery of NAC in the N-ICE trial
[28:58] Recruitment and roll out of the N-ICE trial
[34:06] Where to find further information on N-ICE trial?

Find todays show notes and transcript here: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/....content/nac-ice-addi

More information on the N-ICE Trial: http://ndri.curtin.edu.au/rese....arch/research-specif

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