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Associate Professor Rebecca McKetin

  • Role: Adjunct Associate Professor
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  • Email: r.mcketin@unsw.edu.au
  • Phone: 61 (0)2 9385 0333
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Profile

Associate Professor Rebecca McKetin is an Associate Professor at NDARC, UNSW, and an NDRI Adjunct. Much of Rebecca’s research has focussed on methamphetamine (‘ice’ or ‘crystal meth’), for which she has received a NSW/ACT Young Tall Poppy Science Award.

Her major achievements include developing methods to estimate the number of people dependent on methamphetamine use in Australia, establishing a world-first longitudinal treatment outcomes study for methamphetamine use (the Methamphetamine Treatment Evaluation Study), quantifying the risk of mental health problems associated with the use of the drug, and developing an online intervention for people who use methamphetamine (Breaking the Ice).

She is currently investigator on NHMRC funded research to develop novel responses to methamphetamine use in Aboriginal communities, to trial two new medications for methamphetamine dependence (N-acetylcysteine and lisdexamfetamine), and a longitudinal cohort study examining the relationship between mental health and mid-life outcomes.

Rebecca's research has attracted high-profile media coverage both in Australia and internationally (e.g. Sky News, 60 minutes, 7:30 report, Catalyst), and has been used in parliamentary enquiries and the National Ice Taskforce. She has also worked as an epidemiologist for the United Nations, consulting to them on the development of drug monitoring systems in Asia and Africa. She is currently a Senior Editor for Addiction and an associate member of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science.

Qualifications
  • PhD Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales
  • BSc(Psychol) Hons Psychology, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales
Expertise and Research Interests
  • Illicit drug use
  • Stimulants
  • Methamphetamine
  • Epidemiology
  • Evaluation
  • Treatment
  • Mental health and comorbidity
  • Psychosis
Current projects
Completed projects
NDRI Publications

Arunogiri, S., McKetin, R., Verdejo-Garcia, A. and Lubman, D. (2020). The methamphetamine-associated psychosis spectrum: A clinically focused review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 28, (1), pp. 56-65. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-018-9934-4 [RJ1425] View web page

Foulds, J., Boden, J., M., McKetin, R. and Newton-Howes, G. (2020). Methamphetamine use and violence: Findings from a longitudinal birth cohort. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 207. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107826 [RJ1580] View web page

Kelly, P., Baker, A., Fagan, N., L., Turner, A., Deane, F., McKetin, R., Callister, R., Collins, C., Ingram, I., Wolstencroft, K., Townsend, C., J., Osborne, B. and Zimmerman, A. (2020). Better Health Choices: Feasability and preliminary effectiveness of a peer delivered healthy lifestyle intervention in a community mental health setting. Addictive Behaviors, 103. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106249 [RJ1579] View web page

McKetin, R., Quinn, B., Higgs, P., Berk, M., Dean, O., Turner, A., Kelly, P., Lubman, D., Carter, G., Baker, A., Manning, V., Thomas, T., Bathish, R., Raftery, D., Saunders, L., Wrobel, A., Meehan, A., Sinclair, B., Reid, D., Arunogiri, S., Hill, H., Cordaro, F. and Dietze, P. (2020). Clinical and demographic characteristics of people who smoke versus inject crystalline methamphetamine in Australia: Findings from a pharmacotherapy trial. Drug and Alcohol Review. DOI: 10.1111/dar.13183 [RJ1638] View web page

McKetin, R., Voce, A., Burns, R., A. and Quinn, B. (2020). The Short Barriers Questionnaire (SBQ): Validity, factor structure and correlates in an out-of-treatment sample of people dependent on methamphetamine. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 116. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108029 [RJ1620] View web page

Reilly, R., Wand, H., McKetin, R., Quinn, B., Ezard, N., Dunlop, A., Conigrave, K., Treloar, C., Roe, Y., Gray, D., Stephens, J. and Ward, J. (2020). Survey methods and characteristics of a sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people who have recently used amphetamines: the NIMAC survey. Drug and Alcohol Review, 39, pp. 646-655. DOI: 10.1111/dar.13085 [RJ1600] View web page

Arunogiri, S. and McKetin, R. (2019). Comment on Zang et al 2019: Distinguishing between psychotic and general psychiatric symptoms in the context of methamphetamine use. Addiction Biology. DOI: 10.1111/adb.12776 [RJ1486] View web page

McKetin, R., Dean, O., Turner, A., Kelly, P., Quinn, B., Lubman, D., Dietze, P., Carter, G., Higgs, P., Baker, A., Sinclair, B., Reid, D., Manning, V., te Pas, N., Liang, W., Thomas, T., Bathish, R., Kent, M., Raftery, D., Arunogiri, S. and Berk, M. (2019). A study protocol for the N-ICE trial: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine (ice) dependence. Trials, 20, (1). DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3450-0 [RJ1485] View web page

McKetin, R., Leung, J., Stockings, E., Huo, Y., Foulds, J., Lappin, J., M., Cumming, C., Arunogiri, S., Young, J., T., Sara, G., Farrell, M. and Degenhardt, L. (2019). Mental health outcomes associated with of the use of amphetamines: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.09.014 [RJ1537] View web page

McKetin, R., Voce, A., Burns, R., A. and Shanahan, M. (2019). Health-related quality of life among people who use methamphetamine. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38, (5), pp. 503-509. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12934 [RJ1481] View web page

Reilly, R., McKetin, R., Wand, H., Butt, J., C., Smout, M., Ezard, N., Conigrave, K., Clark, Y., Quinn, B., Treloar, C., Gray, D., Dunlop, A., Roe, Y. and Ward, J. (2019). A web-based therapeutic program (We Can Do This) for reducing methamphetamine use and increasing help-seeking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Protocol for a randomized wait-list controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 8, (7). DOI: 10.2196/14084 [RJ1547] View web page

Voce, A., Burns, R., A., Castle, D., Calabria, B. and McKetin, R. (2019). Is there a discrete negative symptom syndrome in people who use methamphetamine? Comprehensive Psychiatry, 93, pp. 27-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.06.002 [RJ1515] View web page

Voce, A., McKetin, R., Calabria, B., Burns, R., A. and Castle, D. (2019). A systematic review of the symptom profile and course of methamphetamine-associated psychosis: Substance use and misuse. Substance Use and Misuse, 54, (4), pp. 549-559. DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1521430 [RJ1445] View web page

Arunogiri, S., Foulds, J., McKetin, R. and Lubman, D. (2018). A systematic review of risk factors for methamphetamine-associated psychosis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1177/0004867417748750 [RJ1390] View web page

Ezard, N., Dunlop, A., McKetin, R., Bruno, R., Ali, R., L., Carr, A., White, J., Clifford, B., Hall, M., Liu, Z., Shanahan, M., Dolan, K. and Lintzeris, N. (2018). LiMA: a study protocol for a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. BMJ Open. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020723 [RJ1438] View web page

Howard, K., A., Griffiths, K., M., McKetin, R. and Ma, J. (2018). Can a brief biologically-based psychoeducational intervention reduce stigma and increase help-seeking intentions for depression in young people? A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health. pp. 1-13. DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2018.1467323 [RJ1421] View web page

McKetin, R. (2018). Methamphetamine psychosis: insights from the past. Addiction, 113, (5), pp. 1522-1527. DOI: 10.1111/add.14170 [RJ1417] View web page

McKetin, R., Degenhardt, L., Shanahan, M., Baker, A., L., Lee, N. and Lubman, D. (2018). Health service utilisation attributable to methamphetamine use in Australia: Patterns, predictors and national impact. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (2), pp. 196-204. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12518 [RJ1296] View web page

McKetin, R., Hides, L., Kavanagh, D., Saunders, J., B. and Dawe, S. (2018). First psychotic episode risk markers for primary psychosis amongst people who use methamphetamine (Letter to the Editor). Schizophrenia Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.021 [RJ1420] View web page

McKetin, R., Kothe, A., Baker, A., Lee, N., Ross, J. and Lubman, D. (2018). Predicting abstinence from methamphetamine use after residential rehabilitation: Findings from the Methamphetamine Treatment Evaluation Study (MATES). Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (1), pp. 70-78. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12528 [RJ1289] View web page

McKetin, R., Lubman, D., Baker, A., Dawe, S., Ross, J., Mattick, R. and Degenhardt, L. (2018). The relationship between methamphetamine use and heterosexual behaviour: evidence from a prospective longitudinal study. Addiction. DOI: 10.1111/add.14181 [RJ1416] View web page

McKetin, R., Voce, A., Burns, R., A., Ali, R., L., Lubman, D., Baker, A. and Castle, D. (2018). Latent psychotic symptom profiles amongst people who use methamphetamine: What do they tell us about existing diagnostic categories? Frontiers in Psychiatry. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00578 [RJ1468] View web page

Tait, R., J., Whetton, S., Shanahan, M., Cartwright, K., Ferrante, A., Gray, D., Kaye, S., S., McKetin, R., Pidd, K., Ritter, A., Roche, A. and Allsop, S. (2018). Quantifying the societal cost of methamphetamine use to Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 62, pp. 30-36. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.08.015 [RJ1452] View web page

Voce, A., McKetin, R., Burns, R., A., Castle, D. and Calabria, B. (2018). The relationship between illicit amphetamine use and psychiatric symptom profiles in schizophrenia and affective psychoses. Psychiatry Research, 265, pp. 19-24. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.04.015 [RJ1415] View web page

Degenhardt, L., Sara, G., McKetin, R., Roxburgh, A., Dobbins, T., Farrell, M., Burns, L. and Hall, W. (2017). Crystalline methamphetamine use and methamphetamine-related harms in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36, (2), pp. 160-170. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12426 [RJ1231] View web page

Kelly, P., Robinson, L., Baker, A., Deane, F., McKetin, R., Hudson, S. and Keane, C. (2017). Polysubstance use in treatment seekers who inject amphetamine: Drug use profiles, injecting practices and quality of life. Addictive Behaviors, 71, pp. 25-30. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.006 [RJ1311] View web page

McKetin, R. and Allsop, S. (2017). When the evidence is not enough: commentary on Härtel-Petri and colleagues. Pharmacopsychiatry, 50, (3), pp. 105-106. DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-102184 [RJ1272] View web page

McKetin, R., Baker, A., Dawe, S., Voce, A. and Lubman, D. (2017). Differences in the symptom profile of methamphetamine-related psychosis and primary psychotic disorders. Psychiatry Research, 251, pp. 349–354. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.028 [RJ1310] View web page

McKetin, R., Dean, O., Baker, A., Carter, G., Turner, A., Kelly, P. and Berk, M. (2017). A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36, (2), pp. 153–159. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12414 [RJ1236] View web page

McKetin, R., Voce, A. and Burns, R., A. (2017). Research into methamphetamine use in the Australian Capital Territory. National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9942806-6-4 [R313] Download PDF

Room, R., Dietze, P. and McKetin, R. (2017). Gearing up at the Review. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36, (4), pp. 441. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12577 [RJ1356] View web page

Whetton, S., Shanahan, M., Cartwright, K., Duraisingam, V., Ferrante, A., Gray, D., Kaye, S., S., Kostadinov, V., McKetin, R., Pidd, K., Roche, A., Tait, R., J. and Allsop, S. (2017). The Social Costs of Methamphetamine in Australia 2013/14. National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9942806-0-2 [T246] Download PDF

Degenhardt, L., Larney, S., Chan, G., Dobbins, T., Weier, M., Roxburgh, A., Hall, W. and McKetin, R. (2016). Estimating the number of regular and dependent methamphetamine users in Australia, 2002-2014. Medical Journal of Australia, 204, (4), pp. 153. DOI: 10.5694/mja15.00671 [RJ1239] View web page

Islam, M., McCrae, I., Mazumdar, S., Taplin, S. and McKetin, R. (2016). Prescription opioid analgesics for pain management in Australia: twenty years of dispensing. Internal Medicine Journal, 46, (8), pp. 955-963. DOI: 10.1111/imj.12966 [RJ1242] View web page

McKetin, R. (2016). Will the Australian Government’s response to its “National Ice Taskforce” deliver more treatment as promised? Drug and Alcohol Review, 53, (3), pp. 247-249. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12423 [RJ1235] View web page

McKetin, R., Dawe, S., Burns, R., A., Hides, L., Kavanagh, D., Teesson, M., Young, R., M., Voce, A. and Saunders, J., B. (2016). The profile of psychiatric symptoms exacerbated by methamphetamine use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 161, pp. 104-109. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.01.018 [RJ1223] View web page

McKetin, R., Degenhardt, L. and Hall, W. (2016). Estimating the number of regular and dependent methamphetamine users in Australia, 2002–2014: Response to Dietze and colleagues. Medical Journal of Australia, 205, (9), pp. 426. DOI: 10.5694/mja16.01043 [RJ1271] View web page

McKetin, R., Gardner, J., Baker, A., Dawe, S., Ali, R., L., Voce, A., Leach, L. and Lubman, D. (2016). Correlates of transient versus persistent psychotic symptoms among dependent methamphetamine users. Psychiatry Research, 238, pp. 166-171. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.02.038 [RJ1237] View web page

McKetin, R., Parasu, P., Cherbuin, N., Eramudugolla, R. and Anstey, K., J. (2016). A longitudinal examination of the relationship between cannabis use and cognitive function in mid-life adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 169, pp. 134-140. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.10.022 [RJ1270] View web page

Tait, R., J., McKetin, R., Kay-Lambkin, F., J., Carron-Arthur, B., Bennett, A., Bennett, K., Christensen, H. and Griffiths, K., M. (2015). Six-month outcomes of a web-based intervention for users of amphetamine-type stimulants: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17, (4), pp. e105. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.3778 [RJ1032] View web page

Non-NDRI Publications

Wakabayashi, M., Berecki-Gisolf, J., Banwell, C., Kelly, M., Yiengprugsawan, V., McKetin, R., Seubsman, S., Iso, H. and Sleigh, A. Non-fatal injury in Thailand from 2005 to 2013: incidence trends and links to alcohol in Thai Cohort Study. Journal of Epidemiology. [In Press] [RJ]

Wakabayashi, M., McKetin, R., Banwell, C., Yiengprugsawan, V., Kelly, M., Seubsman, S., Iso, H., Sleigh, A. and The Thai Cohort Team, ,. Alcohol consumption patterns in Thailand and their relationship with non-communicable disease. Wakabayashi M, McKetin R, Banwell C, Yiengprugsawan V, Kelly M, Seubsman S, Hiroyasu I, Sleigh A, and the Thai Cohort Study Team. BMC Public Health. [In Press] [RJ]

McKetin, R., Coen, A. and Sharlene, K. (2015). A comprehensive review of the effects of mixing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 151, pp. 15-30. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.047 [RJ] View web page

Tait, R., J., McKetin, R., Kay-Lambkin, F., J., Bennett, K., Tam, A., Bennett, A., Geddes, J., Garrick, A., Christensen, H. and Griffiths, K., M. (2012). Breakingtheice: A protocol for a randomised controlled trial of an internet-based intervention addressing amphetamine-type stimulant use. BMC Psychiatry, 12, pp. e67. DOI: 10.1186/1471-244X-12-67 [RJ] View web page