National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction - NCETA

🔷 During Men’s Health Month, we’re highlighting the important work helping to improve understanding of men’s health in Australia
Emerging findings from PhD research by Stefano Zaccagnini, co-funded by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, shed light on alcohol use among Australian midlife men.

His recent study, Risky Drinking in Midlife Men: Insights From Australia’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, found more than 2.2 million Australian men aged 30-59 are drinking at levels that put their health at risk of harm.

The research identified factors associated with risky drinking among midlife men, including psychological distress, smoking, illicit drug use, living in regional areas, higher household income, and working in managerial, trade and technical occupations.

Research like this contributes to a stronger evidence base to help inform preventative health efforts and improve understanding of the factors influencing men’s health and wellbeing.

🔗 Read the study here: https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70149

👏 Congratulations to Nathan Harrison on a new paper in JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Led by Nathan, this review examines how smoking cessation support is being implemented in lung cancer screening programs around the world and what is needed to deliver and sustain it effectively.

Drawing on 55 international studies, the research found that although many programs are beginning to offer smoking cessation assistance, most are not yet designed to deliver the full benefit, with gaps in staff readiness, cost, and how services are implemented and maintained over time.

While behavioural support such as counselling was the most common approach, delivering support through opt-out referral systems consistently showed high uptake, while more intensive interventions likely produced stronger quit outcomes.

The findings emphasise that smoking cessation support should be integrated into lung cancer screening programs, with strategies that are scalable, sustainable and adaptable to local contexts.

🔗 Read the media release here: https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2026/06/16/lung-cancer-screening-programs-need-to-include-quit-smoking-support/
🔗 Read the study here: https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djag102

👏 Congratulations to Yusra Tawfic, Ashlea Bartram, Jacquie Bowden, Adrian Dunlop and Kirrilly Thompson on a new paper in BMC Medical Education.

This study examines Australia’s growing addiction medicine shortage and what is needed to strengthen the workforce.
The research found that despite approximately one in 30 Australians (3.3%) living with a substance use disorder, there are only around 300 addiction medicine specialists nationwide, with many nearing retirement, raising urgent concerns about future workforce capacity.

Drawing on interviews with addiction medicine Fellows and trainees across Australia and New Zealand, the study found that the shortage is not due to lack of interest, but lack of awareness, with many doctors discovering the specialty by chance.

Participants described addiction medicine as “probably one of medicine’s best kept secrets”, a highly rewarding field where clinicians can see real, lasting change in their patients’ lives.
The findings highlight the need to introduce addiction medicine earlier in medical training, expand clinical placements, and promote clear pathways.

🔗 Read the media release here: https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2026/06/09/medicine-speciality-rewarding-but-hidden/

🔗 Read the study here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-09480-5

Today marks World No To***co Day

To***co use remains a leading cause of preventable death and disease globally. Reducing this harm requires a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that supports prevention, cessation and harm reduction.

Strengthening the evidence base can help inform policy and practice and support effective and equitable responses to to***co-related harm.

For more information on to***co, visit the National Alcohol & Drug Knowledgebase (NADK) here: https://nadk.flinders.edu.au/kb/to***co

***coDay ***coControl

Thank you to everyone who has registered to be part of our Symposium either in-person or online. We look forward to the exciting day ahead. If you need a copy of the program, please download from here -https://nceta.flinders.edu.au/application/files/6017/7908/4534/NCETA_Symposium_Program.pdf

Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI)

👏 We are excited to share that new research by our colleague Dr Stine Høj, alongside Isabelle Boisvert, Nanor Minoyan, Valérie Martel-Laferrière, Sarah Larney and Julie Bruneau, has been published.

Engaging people who inject drugs in research can be challenging due to stigma, distrust and structural barriers. This study examined how peer-led recruitment strategies can enhance reach and equity.

The study found that peer-led approaches generated more than 2000 interactions and contributed 46% of new enrolments to a biobehavioural cohort study, while engaging participants with greater structural vulnerability and more diverse backgrounds.

The findings highlight how peer-led recruitment can strengthen equity in research participation, particularly when peer leadership is adequately resourced and embedded from the outset.

📄 Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105276

NCETA’s Symposium will be held this Thursday. If you haven’t already registered, it’s not too late to register now to attend in person or online at https://NCETASymposium2026.eventbrite.com
Flinders University

We were pleased to have work experience student Mim Kennedy Rochester with us last week (fifth from left in photo in back). Mim is currently studying year eleven at the Australian Science and Math School and has shown a passion for learning about alcohol and other drug harm minimisation.

📣 Be the first to see new NCETA workplace resources

We’ve developed two new, practical resources designed to help workplaces understand and address to***co smoking and va**ng through awareness, discussion and support. These are available now and will be officially launched and presented at our upcoming symposium.

📄 To***co Smoking Fact Sheet
An easy-to-share resource outlining how to***co smoking affects worker health, wellbeing and productivity. It also highlights the benefits of quitting and where to find support.
👉 Access now: https://worklife.flinders.edu.au/download_file/view/870/743

🛠️💬 To***co Smoking and Va**ng Toolbox Talk
A ready-to-use resource to support short, practical workplace discussions. Includes key information, discussion prompts, a short fun quiz, and links to support services.
👉 Access now: https://worklife.flinders.edu.au/download_file/view/871/743

📍 Register for our upcoming symposium now to be part of the launch: https://NCETASymposium2026.eventbrite.com

👏 Congratulations to Stefano Zaccagnini on his first peer-reviewed publication and accompanying media release.

Led by Stefano, the research finds more than 2.2 million Australian men aged 30-59 are drinking at levels that put their health at risk of harm, with 43% exceeding Australia’s national alcohol guidelines.

Risky drinking was more common among men who smoke, use illicit drugs, experience psychological distress, live in regional areas, earn higher household incomes and those working in managerial, trade and technical occupations.

Midlife was identified as a period when drinking can shift from occasional to routine, increasing the risk of alcohol-related harm shaped by societal norms, work, place, stress and social expectations. The researchers hope the findings will inform broader policy changes, targeted health campaigns and workplace programs for midlife men.

🔗 Read the media release here: https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2026/05/12/more-than-2m-australian-middle-aged-men-drinking-at-risky-levels/

🔗 Read the study here: https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70149