Resources - Drugs & Alcohol

The overuse of drugs and alcohol is a problem that affects many people in our community.

Binge Drinking
Tips for Safe Drinking
Party Drugs

Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens

Ecstasy
Cannabis
GHB
Further Information

Binge Drinking

Are you at risk?

Do you ‘save up’ drinks during the week so you can drink more at weekends?
Do you regularly drink more than the recommended number of drinks (more than 4 drinks a day on more than 3 days of the week)?
Do you have less than 2 alcohol free days a week?
Do you have intermittent episodes of excessive drinking?
Do you sometimes drink to get drunk?
Do you feel the need to have alcohol in the house all the time – just in case you need a drink?
Do you feel the need to drink alcohol every day?
Do you get agitated or nervous when you are unable to have alcohol?
Do you feel the need to drink when you are stressed or pressured?
Do you feel that your drinking habits may be causing problems in your life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you may have a problem with alcohol. Speak to your doctor or health worker or come and see a nurse or counselor in Student Services for a free consultation.

Tips for Safe Drinking

Set limits for yourself and stick to them.
Start with non-alcoholic or low alcohol drinks.
Drink alcohol slowly - take sips not gulps.
Drink non-alcoholic drinks in between alcoholic drinks.
Eat before or while drinking.
Avoid "rounds" or "shouts".
Try the low alcohol alternative.
Have one drink at a time - avoid ‘topping up.
Remember that pre-mixed drinks often mask the taste of alcohol but not the effects.
Drink water regularly.
Drink water when you are thirsty.

Party Drugs

The term "party drugs" is a uniquely Australian term used to describe a diverse group of drugs that have become popular in youth culture. These drugs include ecstasy (MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine), amphetamines, cocaine, LSD, amyl nitrate, ketamine and gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB). The term "ecstasy and related drugs" (ERDs) has been suggested as a replacement term for this group of drugs because the term "party drugs" is considered to imply that these drugs provide hamless fun.

There are 3 main types of recreational or party drugs:

Depressants; which slow down the functions of the central nervous system.
Stimulants; which speed up or stimulate the central nervous system.
Hallucinogens which distort the user's perception of reality.

For more details on these types of drugs click on http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/

All of these drugs affect the central nervous system and can have unpredictable effects on your body.

Depressants
Depressant drugs slow down the functions of the central nervous system.

Depressant drugs do not necessarily make you feel depressed. Rather they slow down the central nervous system and the messages going to and from the brain to the body. In small quantities they make you feel more relaxed and less inhibited. In larger quantities they may cause unconsciousness, vomiting and death. Depressants affect concentration and coordination. They slow down a person’s ability to respond to unexpected situations.

Depressant drugs can lead to psychosis, dependence, depression of the immune system, memory loss, bizarre behaviour, seizures and hallucinations.

Examples of depressant drugs include:

Alcohol (booze, grog);
Barbiturates (Seconal, tuinal, Amytal), benzodiazepines or tranquilizers (benzo’s, tranxs, e.g. Rohypnol, Valium, Serpax, Mogadon, Temazepam,);
Cannabis (pot, mull, dope);
GHB (fantasy, G, liquid E, gamma G, blue nitro);
Opiates - heroin, (H, smack,) morphine, codeine, methadone & pethidine; and
Inhalants - (chroming, paint glue & petrol sniffing).

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a street term for a range of drugs that are similar in structure to MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).

Ecstasy is also known as E, XTC and eccy. Ecstasy is taken orally in tablet form, injected or used as a suppository.

Penalties for using Ecstasy are up to $3,000 and a year in jail, or a $250,000 fine and 25 years for trafficking.

Overdose from E can easily result and can lead to death. Watch out for high temperature, hallucinations and fast heartbeat. If using, sip water regularly, but DON'T drink all at once. Wear light loose clothing and take regular rests from dancing or physical activity so you don't overheat (15 mins per hr). Warning signs of overheating and dehydration include:

Starting to feel very hot and unwell, confused;
Not being able to talk properly;
Headache;
Vomiting;
Unable to urinate or thick dark urine;
Not sweating, even though feeling hot and/or engaging in physical activity;
Fast heart beat even when resting; and
Fainting, collapsing or seizures.

It is particularly dangerous for those who have an existing heart condition, breathing problems or those with depression or any other psychological disorder to use E.

Stimulants
Stimulants speed up or stimulate the central nervous system and can make the user feel more awake, alert and confident.

Stimulants are drugs that speed up the functions of the brain and body. They speed up the messages going too and from the brain. They make the user feel more awake, alert and confident, or ‘high’. Immediate effects of stimulants include:

Burst of energy, making the user talkative, restless and excited;
Accelerated heart rate and breathing;
Rise in blood pressure and body temperature;
Dry mouth, sweating, dilated pupils; and
Loss of appetite, sleeplessness, agitation.

Stimulant drugs are often inhaled as a powder (snorted) or taken as tablets or liquid capsules. They can also be injected (greatest risk of overdose).

Mild - Moderate stimulants include caffeine, tea, cola, nicotine, ephedrine and some slimming tablets. Stronger stimulants include amphetamines (speed, ice, crystal meth, shabu), cocaine (crack, coke) ecstasy (E, XTC, liquid E).

It is illegal to possess, use, make or sell these stronger stimulants. People caught using small amounts can be jailed for up to five years and fined. Making or selling these drugs is called drug trafficking and is a very serious offence. Imprisonment for up to 25 years as well as large fines can result.

Overdose can easily occur, especially when these drugs are used in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs, as the effect of all the drugs is increased. Also, amphetamines often vary in quality and are usually ‘cut’ with other drugs so you can’t tell whether you’re getting 5% or 50% of the drug, making it easy to overdose. Sometimes the chemicals they are cut with are dangerous and have unpredictable effects on your body. High doses of stimulants make the user feel extremely nervous, anxious and irritable. This can lead to hostility and aggression, heart palpitations, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, loss of coordination. Overdose can lead to collapse, seizure, heart failure and death.

Long term abuse of these drugs can lead to:

Brain tumors;
Drain damage;
Reduced immunity and malnutrition;
High blood pressure;
Higher risk of heart attack;
Psychosis, aggression and violent rages, paranoia, leading to problems with relationships (arguments and break-ups, trouble at work or school due to reduced performance and concentration);
Trouble with the law (being arrested for possession and use or crimes committed to support use); and
Financial trouble (debt due to money spent on amphetamines & missed work hours).

Hallucinogens
Hallucinogenic drugs distort the user’s perceptions of reality.

Hallucinogenic drugs distort perception of reality. People who have taken them may see or hear things that aren’t really there. The effects vary - it is impossible to predict how they will affect you from one dose to the next. Other effects include:

Dilated pupils;
Loss of appetite;
Increased activity, overt talking or laughing;
A sense of emotional and psychological euphoria;
Jaw clenching;
Sweating;
Panic or paranoia;
Loss of contact with reality;
Irrational or bizarre behaviour; and
Stomach cramps and nausea.

Hallucinogens include Datura, ketamine (K, special K), LSD (acid, trips, micro dots, lysergic acid), Ecstasy, cannabis, magic mushrooms, PCP (angel dust), mescaline (peyote cactus).

Overdose can result in permanent brain damage, death or permanent psychoses/mental illness. It is also illegal to use, make or sell these drugs.

Cannabis

Cannabis use is illegal. If you are caught possessing cannabis you may be fined $2000 or more, and/or get 12 months in jail. If you are caught making or selling cannabis you can be fined up to $250,000 and/or get 25 years in prison! If you are caught using you will be referred to drug treatment services. Failure to attend treatment may result in charges being laid.

Short term effects of cannabis use include:

Loss of inhibition;
Increased appetite;
Impaired co-ordination;
Affected perception (vision, time & space);Affected perception (vision, time & space);
Thinking and memory impairment;
Increased heart rate;
Low blood pressure;
Fainting & drowsiness;

In large quantities, effects can include:

Confusion;
Restlessness;
Extreme excitability;
Hallucinations;
Anxiety or panic;
Detachment from reality; and
Paranoia;.

Long Term effects can include:

Increased risk of Respiratory Illness due to higher tar content and holding smoke in lungs for longer;
Reduced motivation and energy levels;
Performance at work, school or sport suffers;
Brain Function - concentration, memory and the ability to learn are all reduced, lasting several months after use stops; and
Hormones - lowers sex drive.

Marijuana is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in Australia. Many people think it is a ‘soft’ drug with little danger of causing harm. The truth is it can cause episodes of depression and psychosis as well as the usual harmful effects of smoking.

Smoking "dope" often means you get more tar in your lungs from inhaling more deeply and holding the smoke in longer than tobacco smoke. On average, smokers die 20 years earlier than non-smokers.

Depression is feeling sad most of the time, crying often, changes in sleep and appetite, unable to concentrate or function normally, extreme feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.

Psychosis is hallucinations, delusions, hearing voices, paranoia, anxiety, panic.

GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate)

GHB is a synthetic drug, which is classed as a depressant and usually comes in the form of a liquid.

Research indicates that there has been an increase in the use of GHB in Melbourne clubs, bars and dance parties in recent years, resulting in overdoses requiring admissions to hospital emergency departments.

Using GHB is never safe. Any use of GHB has the potential to cause death and overdose is common. GHB is illegal and has a delayed effect.

Overdose signs include:

Unconsciousness;
Confusion;
Nausea;
Slurred speech;
Vomiting;
Uncontrolled body movements; and
Irregular breathing.

If someone has taken GHB and cannot be woken or is incoherent, seek assistance immediately from first aid, venue staff or call 000 and ask for an ambulance.

REMEMBER that if yuo are worred about one of your friends and think they have overdosed DO NOT BE AFRAID to call an ambulance or seek help, you cannot get into trouble!

Further Information

Click on the links below for further information about Drugs and Alcohol, available treatments for overuse and support services.