What is a party drug?

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.

Types of party drugs

The most widely used party drugs are:

• alcohol
• cocaine
• ecstasy (MDMA)
• GHB
• ice (crystal meth)
• ketamine
• LSD
• BPZ (benzylpiperazine pills)
• meow meow

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.

What are the effects of party drugs?

Party drugs can:

• increase your energy
• make you feel happy or euphoric ('high')
• change your perception of reality
• enlarge your pupils
• increase your heart rate and blood pressure

However, when taking party drugs, there's always a chance of unwanted effects, such as:

• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• teeth grinding
• anxiety and panic attacks
• psychosis
• paranoia

They can even cause life-threatening effects such as:

• stroke
• hyperthermia (over-heating)
• coma — from an overdose

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:

• very tired
• irritable
• have difficulty sleeping
• feel anxious

What are the long-term risks from using party drugs?

In the long term, party drugs can cause:

• depression
• liver problems
• problems with your memory and attention span
• dependence on the drug

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.

What is a party drug overdose?

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:

• have trouble breathing
• be panicked, agitated or anxious
• be very drowsy (sleepy)
• be unresponsive
• have seizures

If you are concerned about your use of an opioid medicine, try the healthdirect Opioid Risk Indicator.

What are the risks of party drugs?

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:

• you avoid using unusually strong or contaminated drugs
• lower your chance of overdose
• promote safer drug use

At the moment, pill testing is only available in some parts of Australia.

What can I do to reduce the risks of taking party drugs?

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:

• don't take large amounts
• don't take different drugs at the same time — including alcohol, caffeine and medicines
• avoid taking drugs if you are feeling sad or depressed
• tell your friends what you're using
• don't swim
• organise how to get home
• stay up to date with Drug Alerts

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.

What about the law and party drugs?

If you take illegal party drugs, you could find yourself in trouble with the law.

There are laws for:

• having illicit drugs (possession)
• using illicit drugs
• making illicit drugs
• selling (dealing) illicit drugs
• driving after using illicit drugs

If you are found to be breaking these laws, you might:

• be fined
• get a rehabilitation order
• lose your driver's licence
• go to prison

Resources and support

The organisations listed below can give you information and support on party drugs.

Visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.

Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

The Touchbase website has drug information for Australians identifying as LGBTQI+.

You can contact Narcotics Anonymous Australia on 1300 652 820.

Go to the Drug Help website.

For crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or use the online chat.

Help for teenagers and young adults

You can call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

The ReachOut website has information and an online community.

Positive Choices has parenting resources on drugs and alcohol in simplified English and other languages.

Support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

The organisations listed below provide help and support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

• Positive Choices has a list of drug services and resources.
• The Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre works to reduce harmful drug use.

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.