Drugs and young people
Drugs and alcohol
Drug and alcohol abuse can pose serious health risks which can worsen over a long time. Below are links to information for a range of different drugs including marijuana (cannabis), speed, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy) and the effects of alcohol, as well as how to kick the habit.
How alcohol affects your health
Alcohol is the most widely used social drug in Australia but it can be consumed responsibly. Learn here about the dangers of binge drinking.
Drug abuse
Drug abuse can affect health, relationships, job and education. Learn about Australia’s drug laws, drug addiction and where to get help.
Caring for someone with a drug problem
This article will provide you with some information and advice on caring for someone with a drug problem.
Cocaine
Cocaine, or 'Coke' as it is commonly known, is a highly addictive drug associated with health issues and other problems. Learn more about its physical...
GHB
GHB is a party drug. It has been linked to date rape and sexual assault. Find out more about the physical effects and consequences of using GHB.
Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug with many serious side effects. Find out more about heroin's effects and the dangers of long term abuse and addictio...
Ice (crystal meth)
Ice, also known as crystal meth, is a very addictive illegal drug. Find out more about ice including what it is and the dangers of abuse.
Ketamine
Ketamine is a drug used by doctors and vets, however it can be used illegally to get high. Find out more about ketamine effects and the danger of long...
LSD
LSD is a hallucinogenic drug that can change the user’s perception of reality. Here’s how LSD works, its physical effects and the health risks of LSD ...
Marijuana
Marijuana (cannabis) is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in Australia. You can find out more about marijuana and how it impacts users here.
MDMA (ecstasy)
MDMA (ecstasy) is an illicit drug which can give a euphoric rush, but which has dangerous side effects. Learn about its physical effects and risks pos...
Speed
Speed is a drug that can become addictive and lead to health, social and financial problems. Find out about its effects and associated risks.
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Alcohol and drugs
Drugs and alcohol change the balance of chemicals that help your brain to think, feel, create and make decisions. The drugs and alcohol you use can affect you both now and in the future. Changing drug and alcohol habits can take time, but with support and perseverance you will notice positive changes in your mental and physical wellbeing.
Read more on beyondblue website
Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS)
The Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS) cares for pregnant women experiencing drug and alcohol issues.
Read more on WA Health website
Alcohol and drug use
Drug and alcohol use can both lead to, and result from, depression.
Read more on beyondblue website
Alcohol Services | Drug Services - Alcohol and drug search directory | ADIN
The Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) is Australia’s leading alcohol and drug search directory with complete information on drugs and alcohol.
Read more on ADIN – Australian Drug Information Network website
Alcohol and Drug Services | Alcohol Services - Alcohol and drug search directory | ADIN
Australian directory of alcohol and drug information services and treatment centres. Find drug treatment and alcohol rehab programs for drug users and families.
Read more on ADIN – Australian Drug Information Network website
Alcohol and drugs
Drugs and alcohol change how our brains function and this is often the attraction for young people. Some want to relax and wind down, while others want to be stimulated or escape from their reality for a while.
Read more on beyondblue website
Factsheets and Publications
Mental health & drug and alcohol factsheets.
Read more on NSW Health website
Performance and image enhancing drugs - ADF - Alcohol & Drug Foundation
Performance & image enhancing drugs are taken by people with the intention of improving their physical appearance & to enhance their sporting performance.
Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
Problems with alcohol and drug use
People take different types of drugs and drink alcohol for many different reasons - to relax, to help them focus, to fit in, because they’re bored or curious, to escape their problems or to help them cope with overwhelming emotions.
Read more on Project Air Strategy for Personality Disorders website
Key facts FASD Alcohol AOD Knowledge Centre Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe the range of mental and physical effects on the developing unborn baby that are caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
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Alcohol and other drugs (AIHW)
Read more on AIHW – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website
Mentoring adolescents to prevent drug or alcohol use | Cochrane
There are high rates of alcohol and drug use by many adolescents. Four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. All four RCTs were in the US and with adolescents described as deprived, and most were minority group adolescents. Two RCTs tested the "Across Ages" mentoring programme, one the Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring programme, and one an intervention with adolescents whose parents were HIV+. Two RCTs found that mentoring reduced rates of initiation of use of alcohol, and one reduced initiation of use of drugs. No adverse effects were identified. The relative youth of three of the samples made it unlikely that the interventions would be effective due to low baseline rates of usage. The studies assessed formal programmes, and as most mentors are informal their work remains un assessed.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Alcohol and other drugs publications (AIHW)
Alcohol and other drugs publications
Read more on AIHW – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website
Motivational interviewing is a short psychological treatment that can help people cut down on drugs and alcohol | Cochrane
Motivational interviewing is a short psychological treatment that can help people cut down on drugs and alcohol
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Complex needs capable: a practice resource for drug and alcohol services Health promotion resources Key resources Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The details of promotion resource - Complex needs capable: a practice resource for drug and alcohol services
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
Trauma-informed treatment guide for working with women with alcohol and other drug issues Health promotion resources Key resources Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The details of promotion resource - Trauma-informed treatment guide for working with women with alcohol and other drug issues
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
Two at a time
Alcohol and other drug use by young people with a mental illness
Read more on Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health website
Our Healing Ways: putting wisdom into practice: working with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol issues: Aboriginal way Health promotion resources Key resources Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The details of promotion resource - Our Healing Ways: putting wisdom into practice: working with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol issues: Aboriginal way
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
Harm minimisation AOD Knowledge Centre Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
Since 1985 Australias documented drug strategy has aimed to address the harmful use of licit drugs (tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs), illicit drugs (heroin, cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants) and other psychoactive substances (e
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
AOD yarning place Key resources AOD Knowledge Centre Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
The Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) yarning place is a free online network that enables people across the country working in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander substance use to share information, knowledge and experience - even when they live in different states, territories and regions, come from different sectors (such as health, education and justice), and work for different organisations
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
