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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.
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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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 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
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
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
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
Factsheets and Publications
Mental health & drug and alcohol factsheets.
Read more on NSW Health 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
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
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
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
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
Acamprosate for alcohol dependent patients | Cochrane
Alcohol dependence is an important health risk factor that can lead to disability and death for people in developed and developing countries. Alcohol consumption is potentially avoidable, which emphasizes the need for effective strategies to help people who are dependent on alcohol to reduce excessive drinking and maintain abstinence following detoxification. Psychosocial programs have limited success in preventing relapse after detoxification programs. The addition of a pharmacological agent could provide support in achieving or maintaining abstinence or to cut down alcohol consumption. The synthetic glutamate antagonist acamprosate and naltrexone, which is an opioid antagonist, are used for this purpose.
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
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
Psychosocial interventions for women enrolled in alcohol treatment during pregnancy | Cochrane
Pregnancy can be seen as a window of opportunity where women may seek treatment for their addictions out of concern for their unborn child. Worldwide estimates of alcohol usage report that a large proportion of women continue to drink during their pregnancy. Light alcohol consumption has not been associated with adverse effects on a woman's baby, while excessive consumption of alcohol has been shown to cause a number of birth defects as well as foetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the most widely recognized cause of severe mental and developmental delay in the baby. Therefore pregnancy is an important point in time to treat women for their alcohol dependence. This review sought to find all trials which compared any psychosocial intervention to other treatment or no treatment for pregnant or postpartum women in alcohol treatment. No articles were found which fit our inclusion criteria; most trials assessed psychosocial interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in pregnant or reproductive age women, not pregnant or post-partum women in alcohol treatment. We defined alcohol treatment as when the authors stated the women were in alcohol treatment or any validated psychosocial intervention for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Control trials need to be performed on this population of women to determine the most effective therapy for pregnant women seeking treatment for their alcohol dependence.
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
Psychological and educational interventions to reduce alcohol consumption by pregnant women | Cochrane
Many women continue to consume alcohol when they are pregnant. Drinking seven or more standard drinks per week may be harmful, and can cause growth restrictions in babies; binge drinking and heavy alcohol consumption can lead to learning difficulties, behaviour problems and physical disabilities in children. Government policies acknowledge that the occasional drink is not likely to cause harm but that abstinence from alcohol in pregnancy eliminates any possible risks. Psychological and educational interventions (such as supportive counselling sessions and brief educational sessions) may help women to reduce their alcohol intake during pregnancy.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
