New clinical trial for MA withdrawal support

Our research team is trialling a medication commonly used for ADHD and whether it can help treat MA withdrawal symptoms.

If you're interested in taking part in this study, click below to fill in an expression of interest form, and a member of the study team will get in touch with you.

MA is now the most common illicit drug for which people seek treatment in Australia, and poorly managed MA withdrawal is a major obstacle to achieving their treatment goals.

About the study

About the study

About the study

There is currently no proven medication to specifically treat MA withdrawal. This study aims to explore the safety and potential benefit of a medication already approved for use in other conditions and to see whether it may help reduce MA withdrawal symptoms. The medication is compared with a placebo, alongside usual standard of care, so we can better understand its effects.

There is currently no proven medication to specifically treat MA withdrawal. This study aims to explore the safety and potential benefit of a medication already approved for use in other conditions and to see whether it may help reduce MA withdrawal symptoms. The medication is compared with a placebo, alongside usual standard of care, so we can better understand its effects.

Who can take part?

You may be eligible to take part* if you are:

  • 18 or older

  • Currently using MA

  • Seeking MA withdrawal treatment

  • Willing and able to provide informed consent to take part in the trial

*Additional eligibility criteria apply

Who can take part?

You may be eligible to take part* if you are:

  • 18 or older

  • Currently using MA

  • Seeking MA withdrawal treatment

  • Willing and able to provide informed consent to take part in the trial

*Additional eligibility criteria apply

What's involved

The trial involves a hospital stay for 7 days.


During this time, you’ll receive either the study medication or a placebo. The medication or placebo is given in gradually reducing doses over the 7 days.

Throughout your stay, you’ll continue to have access to the usual standard of care for withdrawal, including psychosocial support, to help manage your symptoms.

What's involved

The trial involves a hospital stay for 7 days.


During this time, you’ll receive either the study medication or a placebo. The medication or placebo is given in gradually reducing doses over the 7 days.

Throughout your stay, you’ll continue to have access to the usual standard of care for withdrawal, including psychosocial support, to help manage your symptoms.

Take part in this study

Take part in this study

Take part in this study

If you're interested in taking part please click below to fill in an expression of interest form, and a member of the study team will get in touch with you.

If you're interested in taking part please click below to fill in an expression of interest form, and a member of the study team will get in touch with you.

The ethical aspects of this research project have been approved by the HREC of St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Ethics Application reference 2024/ETH00788 and The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW HREC, Ethics reference 2312/24.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2026.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2026.