What is GHB?

GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is an illegal drug often found around at:

• parties
• bars
• dance clubs

It's known as a 'date rape' drug. This is because it‘s hard to detect if it’s slipped into your drink.

GHB was originally made for use as an anaesthetic. It’s a central nervous system depressant. This means that it slows down brain activity and can make you feel relaxed and drowsy.

GHB is usually a colourless liquid. Sometimes, it can be bright blue in colour. In this form it’s often known as blue nitro. It can also come as a pale powder or crystals.

GHB has no smell and can be bitter or salty tasting. It can be:

• swallowed
• injected
• inserted anally (into your back passage)

GHB is also known by other names, such as:

• fantasy
• G
• GBH (grievous bodily harm)
• liquid E
• liquid X

Although GHB is sometimes called liquid ecstasy, it’s not chemically related to the drug ecstasy (MDMA).

What are the effects of taking GHB?

The effects of GHB start after about 5 to 20 minutes. They can last for up to 4 hours.

If you take GHB you may:

• feel confident and excited
• feel upset
• be more sensitive to touch
• have a higher sex drive

The way GHB affects you can depend on:

• how much GHB you take
• how strong it is
• your height and weight
• your health and mood
• if you have past experience with GHB
• whether you take other substances at the same time

What can go wrong with GHB?

If you use GHB you can get unwanted effects, such as:

• disorientation and loss of coordination
• headaches and dizziness
• forgetfulness and confusion
• nausea and vomiting
• tremors
• diarrhoea and urinary incontinence
• blackouts

If you use GHB, you may also hallucinate.

GHB is linked to date rape and sexual assaults as it can be used to spike drinks. It’s hard to detect in drinks.

GHB makes you unable to remember much of what happened while you were affected.

Overdose

It's very easy to overdose on GHB, especially if taken with alcohol. Even small amounts can cause an overdose.

Signs someone has overdosed on GHB are if they:

• can’t be woken up
• are incoherent or hallucinating
• are sweating or vomiting
• can't stand up
• have a slow, irregular heartbeat
• are breathing slowly or irregularly
• have blackouts or memory loss

An overdose can cause:

• seizures
• coma
• death

Ambulance officers can help you without calling the police.

A GHB overdose may need treatment in hospital. You may need help with breathing and treatment to help circulation.

Find out more about party drugs, such as where to find help and support.

Laced GHB

Sometimes GHB contains sodium hydroxide. This can damage and burn your mouth.

There are now pill testing or drug checking centres in some parts of Australia. These services can help you find out if a drug is mixed with other substances or is very strong. This knowledge can help you reduce your chance of harm.

Can GHB cause long-term problems?

Using GHB long term can cause:

• memory problems
• heart disease
• hallucinations
• anxiety
• breathing problems

What if I use other drugs or alcohol together with GHB?

It’s dangerous to take GHB along with other things that slow the central nervous system. This includes alcohol and some prescription medicines.

Taking GHB with:

• alcohol increases your chance of having an overdose
• amphetamines such as speed and ice increases your risk of a seizure, heart strain and breathing difficulties
• nitrous oxide can lead to a loss of coordination, memory issues and fainting

Can I become dependent on GHB?

Regular users of GHB can develop a tolerance to the drug very quickly. This means you need more of the drug to get the same effects.

If you are dependent on GHB, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you have used GHB for a long time, and then try to stop using the drug.

Symptoms start about 6 to 72 hours after the last dose, and often last for 5 to 15 days. They include:

• confusion, anxiety and paranoia
• feeling depressed
• difficulty sleeping
• muscle cramps and tremors
• hallucinations and delirium
• rapid heart rate
• vomiting

People who suddenly stop GHB after using high doses long-term can have serious complications, such as:

• seizures
• low heart rate
• cardiac arrest (where your heart stops beating — this is a medical emergency)
• kidney failure

Because of this, it is best to speak to a doctor if you want to stop using GHB.

You can also become addicted to GHB. This is when you find it hard to stop using the drug or control how much you use. Addiction can have negative outcomes for your:

• life
• work
• relationships

Find out more about how drugs and alcohol can impact your health.

How can I stop using GHB?

Getting off GHB can be hard. Speak to your doctor first — they can provide options for safely getting off GHB, such as:

• support groups
• counselling and therapy
• referral to an addiction specialist
• detox and rehabilitation

Resources and support

You can get support and more information about GHB from these organisations:

• The Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.
• The Drug Help website, or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
• Turning Point, a national addiction treatment, training and research centre.
• The Touchbase website has drug advice for Australians identifying as LGBTIQ+
• Narcotics Anonymous Australia on 1300 652 820
• Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Department of Health and Aged Care website has information on 'What are the effects of taking drugs?'

Support for injecting behaviour

If you inject GHB or other drugs, you can attend a needle and syringe program (NSP). These programs provide clean needles or syringes to people who inject drugs.

These 'needle exchange' services can help reduce your risk of blood-borne disease. Some pharmacies run an NSP.

You can also find a local needle and syringe program using the healthdirect Service Finder. Select 'By name' and type 'needle' into the search bar.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, there are some organisations that can help.

• The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has information available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including a resource on GHB.
• Your Room provides resources for Aboriginal people in NSW who want to reduce harm from drug use.
• Turning Point has an Aboriginal alcohol and other drug support service based in Victoria.
• The Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre works to reduce harmful drug use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Other languages

You can visit the Health Translations Victoria website. Look for the 'Where can I get help when alcohol or drugs are a problem?' video. This is available in several languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.