Party drugs are drugs which you may take to increase the enjoyment you get from music and dancing. Many party drugs are illegal.
You may come across people taking party drugs at large parties, clubs and festivals.
Although party drugs might seem fun, there are risks to taking them. Many Australians become seriously ill or die each year after using party drugs.
The most widely used party drugs are:
You may use more than one drug at the same time. This is called polysubstance use.
Some party drugs are hallucinogens which change the way you see, hear, smell and feel things. Others are stimulants and are used to maintain energy.
Party drugs can:
However, when taking party drugs, there's always a chance of unwanted effects, such as:
They can even cause life-threatening effects such as:
Party drug use can encourage reckless behaviour, putting your health and wellbeing at risk.
After taking party drugs, you might have a come down (crash). This is like a hangover you get from drinking alcohol.
The effects depend on the drug or drugs you've used. A come down may make you:
In the long term, party drugs can cause:
Illicit drug use can have an unexpected effect on your life. Drug use can also make mental illness worse.
Some party drugs are addictive, and it can be hard to stop using them.
A drug overdose can happen when you mix drugs or take too much of a drug.
Different drugs can cause different overdose symptoms. An overdose may cause you to:
If you are concerned about your use of an opioid medicine, try the healthdirect Opioid Risk Indicator.
When you use party drugs you can never be sure how strong the drug is or what is in it.
Often party drugs contain a wide range of other chemicals. Even pills that look the same may have different ingredients and effects.
Pill testing is a way to find out what is in a party drug. This can help:
At the moment, pill testing is only available in some parts of Australia.
Knowing how alcohol and party drugs affect you can help keep you safe.
Remember that any drug can have risks. If you choose to take drugs, 'start low and go slow'. Take a small dose and wait 2 hours before taking more. This can help you see the effects of the drug and how strong it is.
There are some things you can do to help lower the risks:
Stay with a friend, preferably one who is not taking drugs, and can help you avoid risky situations.
Stay cool and hydrated. Aim to drink about 500mL of water every hour if you're dancing. Drink it slowly not all at once.
Drinking too much water can also be dangerous.
Find out more about drug abuse and its risks.
If you take illegal party drugs, you could find yourself in trouble with the law.
There are laws for:
If you are found to be breaking these laws, you might:
The organisations listed below can give you information and support on party drugs.
For crisis support call Lifeline (Opens in new tab) on 13 11 14 or use the online chat (Opens in new tab).
The organisations listed below provide help and support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
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.
Find out how we develop and review our content.
Last reviewed: February 2025
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