Evidence & safety
Medicine-assisted therapy is an emerging, clinically supervised treatment pathway. We believe in being transparent about both its potential and its limits, including what the research does and does not yet tell us.
Clinical evidence
Clinical trial research into this treatment approach, conducted both in Australia and internationally, has shown significant improvements in PTSD and treatment resistant depression symptoms following a structured, multi session protocol like ours.
We look at the full picture, published trials, regulatory guidance from the TGA, and the day-to-day experience of clinicians working in this field. Where evidence is strong, we say so. Where it is still developing, we say that too. No result can be promised in advance, and the decision to proceed is always made together, after individual assessment.
Lasting benefits
Some published clinical research has found that the benefits of this treatment approach can continue to be felt long after the treatment itself has concluded, with participants in long term follow up studies reporting sustained improvements well beyond the active treatment period.
Read the published long term follow up studySafety & clinical governance
Medicine-assisted therapy is delivered through a structured clinical pathway with defined protocols. These safeguards are designed to identify and manage risk, although no clinical treatment is free from risk.
A TGA-authorised prescriber oversees every stage of treatment, from initial medical screening through to medicine sessions and follow-up care.
Care is delivered by authorised prescribers, clinical psychologists and trained therapists working together, so medical and psychological care are never separated.
Structured psychological and medical assessment follows set clinical criteria, covering diagnosis, treatment history, physical health, current medicines and personal circumstances.
Medicine sessions take place in a carefully prepared clinical environment, with a trained support team present for the full duration of the session.
What to expect
Like any clinical treatment, medicine-assisted therapy can involve temporary effects. These vary from person to person; your care team will discuss expected duration and what to do if effects persist.
Temporary effects can include fatigue, headache, emotional intensity during or after a session, and changes in appetite. Your care team prepares you for what to expect, stays with you throughout, and checks in afterwards, so nothing is faced alone.
Most importantly: this treatment is not guaranteed to work for everyone. Some people experience meaningful improvement; others do not. We will talk with you openly about your own situation rather than raise hopes the evidence cannot support.
This treatment is not appropriate for every person, every condition, or every set of circumstances. Some medical conditions, medicines or life situations may mean it is unsafe or should be deferred. Eligibility is confirmed only after a full clinical screening process, and if it is not the right pathway, we will say so and, where we can, point you towards other options.
