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Drugs and young people
Drugs and alcohol
How alcohol affects your health
Many of us drink alcohol to relax, but drinking too much can affect your health. Learn more here about the effects of alcohol on your body.
Drug abuse
Drug abuse can affect health, relationships, job and education. Learn about Australia’s drug laws, drug addiction and where to get help.
How to help 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 (acid)
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 (cannabis)
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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Top results
Drug and alcohol services :: SA Health
Information about alcohol and other drug services available in South Australia.
Read more on SA Health website
Drugs and Alcohol | Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline
Read more on Kids Helpline 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
Pregnancy - medication, drugs and alcohol - Better Health Channel
Most women take a drug of some kind during pregnancy, sometimes without realising the potential for harm.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Alcohol :: SA Health
An introduction to the section on alcohol including information for people with alcohol problems, community members and health professionals
Read more on SA Health website
Factsheets and Publications
Mental health & drug and alcohol factsheets.
Read more on NSW Health website
ADF - Insights - An overdose happens when a toxic amount of a drug or a combination of drugs causes a severe adverse reaction.
Many people think this is the result of consuming too much of a drug. This is often the case. Combining drugs, and alcohol increases chances of overdosing..
Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation 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
Why cant the person using drugs or alcohol see they have a problem?
The influence of alcohol or other drug problems affects the person using the substance, but it can also impact on their family, friends and colleagues
Read more on NSW Health website
Drugs, alcohol and mental health
Drugs and alcohol change the way your brain and body work. They change the balance of chemicals that help your brain to think, feel, create and make decisions.
Read more on beyondblue website
Top results
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
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
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
Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse | Cochrane
Dual diagnosis is the term used to describe people who have a mental health problem and also have problems with drugs or alcohol. In some areas, over 50% of all those with mental health difficulties will have problems with drugs or alcohol. For people with mental illness, substance misuse often has a negative and damaging effect on the symptoms of their illness and the way their medication works. They may become aggressive or engage in activities that are illegal. Substance misuse can also increase risk of suicide, hepatitis C, HIV, relapse, incarceration and homelessness.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Anticonvulsants for alcohol dependence | Cochrane
This review looked at evidence on the efficacy and acceptability of anticonvulsants alone or in combination with another medication or a psychosocial intervention for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Alcohol and drug screening for preventing injury among people whose job involves driving | Cochrane
Alcohol and drug abuse are serious public health problems worldwide. Workplace alcohol and drug testing is a common intervention, especially in developed nations, but it is costly and its use is controversial. This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of alcohol and drug screening among occupational drivers for preventing injury.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate for treating symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal and preventing relapses for people who are dependent on alcohol | Cochrane
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate for treating symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal and preventing relapses for people who are dependent on alcohol
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Safety and effectiveness of medications for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome | Cochrane
Alcohol abuse and dependence can cause serious health problems as well as interpersonal, social, interpersonal and legal consequences. Dependence on alcohol is evident by reduced control over drinking, tolerance to alcohol and withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome develops after stopping or reducing heavy and prolonged alcohol use. The most common symptoms include sweating, a fast pulse rate, tremor, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, transient hallucinations or illusions, agitation, anxiety and seizures. These are the result of changes in the central nervous system in an attempt to maintain normal function with alcohol consumption. Different types of medications are used to safely reduce the severity of withdrawal and the abuse of alcohol.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Which talking therapies (counselling) work for drug users with alcohol problems? | Cochrane
We wanted to determine whether talking therapies have an impact on alcohol problems in adult users of illicit drugs (mainly opiates and stimulants) and whether one type of therapy is more effective than another.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Magnesium for the prevention or treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in adults | Cochrane
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a set of symptoms experienced when one reduces or stops alcohol consumption after prolonged periods of alcohol intake. Some studies show that AWS coincides with low levels of magnesium in the blood. Since magnesium may play a role in dampening the excitability of the central nervous system, some researchers believe that low levels of magnesium may make the central nervous system 'hyper-excitable' and may cause AWS symptoms, which include sleeplessness, tremors, anxiety, headache, excessive sweating and reduced appetite. Many AWS treatment protocols therefore recommend magnesium supplementation.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
