28 Tips For Cruisy Mental Health

Healthy mental health
Simple…yet effective
Get your shit done
Ways to relax
Don’t self medicate
Mental illness myths debunked
What to do in a crisis
Don’t make it the end of your world
When and where to get help

Healthy mental health

Just like your body, your mind needs care, and can get sick. Get help early and it’s usually easier to fix.

Hopefully you’re cruising along enjoying the ride in your new place. But, if something crops up, like illness or even just trouble coping with stuff in general, you might need help.

Whatever the problem, it can get better with time. Seriously.

No matter what your problem, just take a deep breath, do something nice for yourself, take small steps to fix the issue, and get help if you need it.

And if you ARE up shit creek mentally, here’s the paddle, with info on when to ask for help, where to get it from, plus other useful tips and techniques to make life easier.

Feel free to contact us or post in the comments if you need to have a chat with someone.

Simple…yet effective

Yes, it’s a cliché. And it sounds stupidly simple, but eating well, sleeping well and exercising staves off a lot of problems – physical AND mental.

Sure, you can hook into junk food, as long as you mostly eat well.

Stay up till sunrise sometimes, but get a good sleep most of the time.

Can’t be bothered to sweat it out in a gym? A walk is fine if it gets your heart rate up, and it doesn’t have to be all in one go – three short walks are as good as one long one.

Also spend some time with friends, hanging out, having fun and talking.

Believe me, you’ll manage life’s stresses much better if you try to keep your lifestyle fairly good in general (plus not enough sleep can make you put on weight – true story).

Keep your routine pretty healthy and you’ll cope better if something goes wrong.

Get your shit done

Do stuff on time

Whatever responsibilities you have – whether they’re uni or work related, paying bills, or whatever – try not to put them off (no matter how tempting the surf, partying, tv, sleeping etc.).

Start early; get it done; stress less. It’s time management 101, not brain surgery (but why couldn’t I ever process that??? Oh well, do as I say, not as I do.).

Ways to relax (healthy…mkay)

Relaxation techniques are a healthy way to wind down rather than getting trashed and passing out

Try muscle relaxation

Lie down, close your eyes and start with your toes
Tense them then relax and let them flop, move to your knees and tense then relax, ditto, all the way up to your eyes and the top of your head
Chill out for a few minutes then gradually move things bit by bit – wiggle your toes, knees, fingers, etc. then open your eyes

The ideal pre-bed routine for good sleep

Drink a cup of something relaxing (like chamomile tea or warm milk, not rum and coke)
Have a warm bath
Do a bit of reading – or share a bit of rumpy-pumpy with someone close

Keep your bedroom for sleep and sex if possible so your mind switches off faster when you get into bed.

Screen time (ipad, computer, even tv) = bad before bed because it doesn’t let your brain wind down; ditto caffeine or too much alcohol or drugs – your sleep quality suffers.

Don’t self-medicate

Drugs or alcohol really helped me deal with my breakup. Said no one, ever.

If you’re stressing out or having trouble coping it’s tempting to have a few more drinks to relax, or a joint, or five bucket bongs, or whatever it is you do to unwind. Don’t.

Seriously, getting wasted will only make problems worse. Shit doesn’t get sorted by starting an addiction.

If you’ve already been using something a fair bit and aren’t sure if you have a problem or not, keep your eye out for the upcoming QUIZ: Do I have a drug or alcohol problem?– “yes” answers can mean you need help to get things under control.

If you need help, start with your doctor, and if they aren’t helpful try another one

You need someone you can talk to honestly (remember, what you say to your doctor is confidential unless there’s a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else).

Once you’ve got a good doctor, they can help you work out what you need, like counselling, a support group, medication, rehabilitation or even just a friendly ear to discuss stuff – but catch a problem early and it’s usually easier to fix.

Natural remedies: There are plenty of rubbish and fake products along with the good natural treatments and remedies. Check out if there’s any proof or someone’s just trying to make a buck before you shell out your money. If you need help working it out, contact me and I’ll try to help.

Some proven herbal remedies? St John’s wort (mild to moderate depression), valerian (sleep problems), cranberry (mild UTIs), plus lots of products that get used in pharmaceuticals.

Remember, just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe though – the hemlock plant is a deadly poison that grows wild, for example.

And make sure you tell your doctor if you’re taking any natural remedies, as herbals can interact with pharmaceuticals.

Mental illness myths debunked

There’s a lot of ideas floating around about mental illness that are just plain wrong

It’s not common: Actually it is – around 1 in 5 adults have a mental disorder (higher in young adults).
People get violent: Not usually – people with a mental illness are no more violent than the general population (except to themselves).
It’s all in your head: No it’s not – mental illness has physical symptoms like sleep and appetite changes, panic attacks and hallucinations.
You need to be zonked out on pills: No you don’t – not all treatment needs medication. Things like relaxation techniques, exercise and talk therapy may be enough, and there are different medication and community support options. Discuss with your doctor.
It’s a life sentence: No matter WHAT the mental illness, most people fully recover; others may have occasional episodes with years in between and a MINORITY of severe cases need medication and management long-term.

What to do in a crisis

If a crisis happens to you or someone you know and you’re frightened for your safety, contact emergency (911 or 000) for police help.

Otherwise, in many places you can call your local area health service for free, 24/7 to ask for help (web-search it under mental health service in your area) – they can advise you or may organise a crisis team or other response.

Check out Useful websites: mental health, for more links to help services.

Warning: Drugs like marijuana, LSD, ecstasy and others can trigger mental illness – it’s best to avoid them, especially if you’ve a family history of mental illness.

Don’t make it the end of your world

Tomorrow’s always a new day…

Sometimes just being an adult is overwhelming (there’s a lot of stuff to learn!) but it can get especially hard if there are added issues (like some kind of crisis, for example, or substance abuse, eating disorders or mental illness).

Don’t compare your problems to others’: we all have our own struggles.

No matter what – whether you’ve lost someone, been dumped, you’re failing uni, are addicted to something – you CAN deal with it – bit by bit, step by step. Even when it’s hard to see past what’s happening, to how to fix things, believe it or not, it will get better. Time does heal.

Don’t do something you’ll regret. Wait the trouble out.

If everything’s falling apart… If it feels like your world is a disaster, STOP FOR A MINUTE! It can mean the difference between getting help in a rough patch and not coping.

Make a cup of tea (or whatever is soothing for you, preferable not hard liquor though). Go sit outside. Feel the sun on your skin. Sip.

THIS TIME WILL PASS – think past it. Realise you’re lucky to be alive. You’ll get to do fun things and get to see special things in the future.

Remember, everything is manageable with time (ok, maybe not so manageable if you’re a fledgling serial killer…). But, seriously, time WILL help, and help IS available to get on track.

Make the choice to nurture yourself – it’s better than doing something destructive.

When you’re ready, take things step by step, in little nibbles. Don’t try to fix everything straight away then freak out.

When and where to get help

If you feel you’re having trouble coping you probably need some help – often, things like depression creep up on you.

Make an appointment to discuss things with your GP, university counsellor or book in with a psychologist

Plus there are a lot of resources available online you can check out – watch out for our upcoming post for info and help links.

If you’re not sure whether you have a problem, watch for our upcoming post with 4 quizzes to help work it out, like the QUIZ: Am I depressed or QUIZ: Do I have an anxiety disorder? Make sure you sign up or like us on social media to get it.

Smoking Stuff & Party Drugs

Illegal highs

Do you smoke pot, or use party drugs or steroids? If you do, or plan to at some point, this information can help you make better decisions under those circumstances – which, let’s be clear, are often that you and/or your friends are doing something dangerous and life-threatening. But at least you’ll know what could go wrong, plus how and where to get help if you need it.

Whatever happens, don’t drive if you’ve taken drugs or alcohol, plus don’t get into a car with someone who has, or with someone you don’t know.

Smoking stuff

Yep, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your body.

Living in a bubble? Maybe you don’t know the disgusting and frightening effects of tobacco, like cancer, heart disease, strokes and gangrene.

smoking, #leavingthenest, cigarettes, pot, marijuana — The scary pics aren’t enough to deter plenty of smokers

And, despite the rumours, smoking pot (cannabis, marijuana, Ganga, Mary Jane, weed) probably has even more tar and chemicals – especially if it’s hydroponically grown – plus increases the risk of triggering mental illness or drug-induced psychosis. Sure, everyone knows a smoker or two that are really old and ok, but it’s the exception by far (and I challenge you to find a long-term pot smoker that’s in great shape physically OR mentally).

But, ok, lots of us still smoke for a while (wish I never did, but I did, and after a few drinks I still grab the odd one…), and if you haven’t given up yet, here’re some tips:

Stop your house stinking by using a jar with a tight-fitting lid as an ashtray (screw on the lid before binning it).
If you use a smoking implement, i.e. a bong, be aware that it’s a myth that’s it’s safer than joints, in fact, it’s probably more harmful because of the high dose of smoke. If you still plan to use one, however, glass is fragile but at least you can see into it. Clean it with vinegar, bicarb and an old toothbrush or dishwashing brush – another urban myth is that adding milk will help to keep it clean…that’s what it is, a myth.
Smoking is seriously expensive – work out the treats you could afford if you quit (holidays!)! It’s cheaper to roll your own ciggies than buy tailor-made and you might get cheaper tobacco from some health food stores (ask if they sell organic…yay…organic cancer in a stick).

Want to quit smoking?

Good on you! Don’t give up. See your GP or try online for help with quitting – some sites even calculate how much money you save (heaps!!) plus you can share stories or read others’ experiences.

See useful websites: drugs for links.

Smoke and mirrors: Rumours abound about things to smoke, from dried parsley, banana leaves or nutmeg to tea leaves…whatever it is, don’t bother – it will just taste disgusting and give you a sore throat. Not sure how I know that. Ahem.

Having a party?

Keep it sensible – especially if you’re renting. Remember, you’ll have to pay for any damage other people do (thousands of dollars for new carpet anyone?).

DON’T put the details on facebook or anywhere else they can go viral!

Tell your neighbours what you’re planning so they don’t freak out, and even let the police know if it’s likely to be a big shindig.

The lucky (or not so lucky) dip

So tobacco companies are unethical, right? Imagine the unregulated drug trade. You have no idea what is in black market drugs. Do you think drug dealers give a stuff about what you put in your body?

As exciting and cool as using may seem in movies, books or songs, it’s worth remembering that past artists weren’t getting their gear cut with the other stuff people use nowadays.

Was Jack Kerouac doing dextrose, caffeine, procaine, lidocaine or even strychnine mixed with his drugs On the Road? Nope. Were The Beatles smoking pot cranked out in six weeks on chemicals and growth hormones, then bulked up with hairspray or lead (like the pot that hospitalised teens in The Netherlands)?

If you’re going to do drugs, you should know you’re not getting a reliable product – you’re gambling with unknown ingredients and amounts, and any added complications that go hand in hand.

Warning! Be careful with anything you put in your body, even pharmaceuticals – always take the right amount the right way.

Even paracetamol (acetaminophen) can cause irreversible liver damage if you overdose, for example, and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) should be taken with food (or at least a big glass of milk) or it can burn your stomach lining.

Call for help!

You won’t get in trouble calling the paramedics. And if someone is really sick or in danger after taking drugs or alcohol, getting them to hospital quickly could save their life.

Call your emergency line (like 911 or 000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

NOTE: Police are only called to an overdose if there is any danger to the ambulance officers or if the person dies, so get help before there IS a death to worry about.

Party drugs – the dos and don’ts…

If you’re doing it, at least minimise the risks…

Avoid mixing multiple drugs and/or alcohol, or, if you do, be aware that using more drugs increases your risk factors for danger.
Stay with a friend (ideally who isn’t using drugs). As well as risks from the drugs and alcohol themselves (like an overdose or long-term health issues), there are other risks users need to think about – a car accident or rape, for example or getting caught. Staying together and not getting in a car can at least lower some of these risks.
Don’t rely on onsite pill testing at events – it’s not always reliable. If you’re dancing, don’t forget to hydrate and take regular breaks.
Injecting is likely to be higher risk than smoking, eating and snorting. If you do inject, don’t ever share injecting equipment, even with someone you trust (they mightn’t know they’re infected). Also make sure you use new needles and equipment each time and always try a small amount first, especially if it’s hard to estimate dosage (e.g.GHB).

Designer drug alert: The problem with “emerging psychoactive substances (EPs)” like synthetic cannabinoids, “bath salts”, MDPV, mephedrone and others, is that no-one has the faintest idea of effects, which can vary enormously due to a heap of unknowns.

“Bath salts”, for example, hit the headlines in the USA when a reputed user ate off part of a man’s face then was shot dead by police.

While there’re no actual bath salts involved (safe to let your flatmate keep their bath bubbles then), it’s just one example of how drug use is a pretty big gamble (especially if your friends are hungry…).

The danger zone

It’s tricky to work out what the exact effect of any illegal drug will be on each person – it depends on how much you have; how long and often you use it; if you’ve taken more than one drug together; plus how you personally react to that drug.

You know how a cup of coffee wires your mate but does nothing to you? That’s one example of how drugs affect people differently. Plus, you don’t even really know what you’re taking with party drugs, since they’re mixed with unknowns.

Some proven effects are things like a higher chance of triggering mental illness or permanent brain changes. Something to think about before you scarf down another pill next time, hey?

If you’re never going to take illegal drugs, you could probably skip this info about party drugs and effects. But, it’s an enlightening read, and, frankly, a bit of a buzz-kill.

Warning! Pharmaceuticals like Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) are sometimes bought off the black market, mainly to help with erection problems caused by drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, heroin etc.

NEVER mix them with inhalants (like amyl nitrate) – it can be fatal.

Help with drug and alcohol problems

If it’s an emergency, always call for help (e.g. 911 or 000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Depending on where you live, there’re a lot of places to get information, counselling or help for yourself or a friend.

See useful websites: drugs for links to confidential drug info, counselling and other support services in your local area.

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids come from testosterone, and are available as injectables or tablets – both can cause side effects like breast growth on men or facial hair on women, as well as other problems like liver damage. Plus, are you even getting what you’ve paid for? Like any black market drug, dealers will maximise profits – how will you know if you’re getting contaminated or even animal drugs?

If you’re going to take them, use low doses (high doses only increase side-effects, not results), use new needles, don’t take diuretics (it increases the risk of heart problems), talk to your doctor (it’s confidential) and check exactly which drug you’re taking.

For more information on drugs in sports, check out the website of the government anti-doping authority in your area (see links at useful websites: drugs).

Is mental illness linked with drug use?

It’s a chicken or egg kind of argument – does the drug use cause the illness or the illness lead to self-medication?

Illicit drug users are more likely to experience mental health issues than non-users; in particular if you use ice, speed or cocaine.

Using marijuana and ice are both linked to schizophrenia and depression, with an even stronger link between depression and using ecstasy, heroin or speed.

Mental disorders are caused by a mix of factors including genetics and environment, though, and it’s hard to work out whether drug use alone causes it. Drugs can definitely trigger it though.

Party Drugs: Facts & Effects

Buzz-kill info

Yep, if you’re doing party drugs, at least be informed about the effects (or the best guess on effects, anyway).

Stimulants: speed up messages between brain and body plus give energy – often very addictive, may be fatal.

Ice (crystal meth, shabu, glass): sooo many scary long-term effects — psychosis, uncontrolled violence, heart and kidney failure and stroke are some of the worst. Web-search “ice mug shots”.
Speed (goey, whiz, fast): like ice but less potent. It keeps you awake, but have you ever seen an angry speed freak picking off chunks of their own skin? Better to grab a coffee.
Cocaine (coke, snow, Charlie, blow, nose candy), also freebase and crack: you’re alert and feeling fine, unless you’re paranoid, have hyperthermia, brain haemorrhage, stroke, seizures, sexual probs and/or heart and kidney failure.
Ecstasy (MDMA, disco biscuits, XTC, love drug): ok, so you love everyone, but you probably won’t love possible brain damage or being slower, fatter and depressed.
Emerging Psychoactive Substances (EPs), like synthetic cannabinoids, “bath salts”, MDPV, Mephedrone (meow meow, meph, drone, MCAT), BPZ (benzylpiperazine, A2, frenzy, nemesis): no idea long-term, plus potency, purity, composition and effects vary enormously — you could be alert and happy or quite possibly dead, especially if you mix it with other drugs and/or alcohol.

Depressants: slow down central nervous system and messages going between brain and body – often very addictive, an overdose can kill you (except cannabis, but it can make you nuts).

GHB (gammahydroxybuyrate, liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, fantasy): high risk of overdose, incontinence, diarrhoea (eew), blackouts, seizures, stopping breathing.
Heroin (smack, H, junk, hammer): makes you happy, relaxed, sleepy and damaged — to heart, lungs, liver and brain among other things.
Benzos (benzodiazepines, downers, valium, temazepam, tranks): relaxed, happy, plus depressed, paranoid, fatter, more unco’ and possibly in a coma.
Alcohol (see info here)
Cannabis (see info here)

Hallucinogens: heighten sensory perception LSD (acid, trips): a bad trip leading to risky behaviour or (rarely) suicide; nasty flashbacks up to years later.

Psilocybin (magic mushrooms, mushies, gold-tops): same as for LSD.
Emerging Psychoactive Substances (EPs): not much is known about short or long-term effects of new synthetic hallucinogens such as N-BOM, since potency, purity and composition vary enormously. It’s a huge gamble — see the stimulants box for more on this.
Ketamine (K, horse tranquiliser, special K): same as for PCP (below).
PCP (angel dust): not-so-angelic possibilities are sedation, dissociation, coma, convulsions and death.

Inhalants: increase sensation/well-being – linked to brain damage, paralysis, heart or breathing problems or SSD (sudden sniffing death).

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas, bulbs): makes you light-headed, dizzy, giggly and blocks pain but dangerous if replaces oxygen in the lungs.
Amyl nitrite (poppers): used to increase/ prolong orgasm; can cause nose and mouth sores, chest pains, heart trouble and possible death, especially if combined with Viagra, Levitra or Cialis.
Butyl nitrite (bolt, rush): similar to amyl nitrite.
Volatile solvents (paint, glue, petrol): cheap, easy to find and linked to collapse, sudden death and neurological (including brain) damage.

Alcohol: The Good, Bad & Downright Ugly

Alcohol: the legal high

Ok, so red wine may be good for you in moderation (a couple of small glasses, not bottles), and a few drinks are a fun way to celebrate with friends or relax after a busy week. But those of us who’ve sculled down too much booze and got plastered know how easy it is to lose control.

If you do overdo it, you could end with a nasty hangover or be the joke everyone’s talking about (the guy who mistook the wardrobe for the toilet and peed into it, anyone? What about the girl who woke up next to her crush plus a not-so-romantic pile of vomit?). But even less fun is the risk of permanent damage or death.

Whatever happens, don’t drive if you’ve taken drugs or alcohol, plus don’t get into a car with someone who has, or with someone you don’t know. It’s not worth adding to the grim stats.

Tequila slammed

Too much alcohol, too fast, can poison you, which can be fatal – your breathing can stop, your heart can stop, you can get hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature) or hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), you can have seizures, choke on your own vomit, or get so dehydrated you can get permanent brain damage.

Not so cool or fun, hey?

alcohol, wine, spirits, hangover, overdose, #leavingthenest — A few glasses, not a few yard glasses, can be fun…

Drinking danger signs (or when to call an ambulance)

Call emergency help if someone is really drunk and showing signs like vomiting, is in a stupor, having seizures, breathing irregularly or slowly or has chills and pallor (hypothermia).

If you’re worried about whether to call for help or not, I’m sure they’d agree that it’s better to be embarrassed than dead.

If a person passes out, their blood alcohol level can keep rising from what’s in their stomach, so they can actually die while “sleeping it off”.

It isn’t helpful to give coffee either, as it just dehydrates them more.

The best thing you can do is call an ambulance and keep your friend warm.

Don’t try to get any fluids in – even water – if they’re unconscious or very sleepy, as they may breathe it into their lungs instead of swallowing it.

IMPORTANT! If someone is really drunk DON’T let them sleep it off or give them coffee (not even water if they’re unconscious or very sleepy) – call for an ambulance, it could save their life.

Drink-spiking

It’s not as common as you would think from tv shows and media, but it can happen.

To minimise the risk of it happening to you (or a friend):

Go out with at least one friend, and have a pact to stay together, whatever happens.
Don’t take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks unattended – and while GHB, for example, has a “date rape drug” reputation, your drink’s actually more likely to be spiked with shots of strong alcohol.
Try to stay in control – sexual assault isn’t just from strangers, it happens from people you know, often after too much alcohol.

If you have been sexually assaulted, you can report it by phoning your local police station – if it makes you feel more comfortable, ask to speak to a female. You may be asked to go to a hospital for an examination to collect evidence.

Date rape drugs such as GHB are hard to detect in urine but can be detected in hair for a much longer period, so if you think you’ve been drugged, ask that a hair sample is tested for multiple drugs.

For links to more information and advice check out useful websites: drugs & alcohol

Warning! Energy drinks and booze

This popular combo is actually pretty bad news – mixing a stimulant (caffeine or guarana) with a depressant (alcohol), disguises how drunk you are and keeps you powering on past your body’s limit. This is especially bad if you have a pre-existing heart problem (you mightn’t know), and could kill you. That’s why the packaging says to drink one a day, max.

Fun in moderation

Sure, have fun with alcohol, if it’s a few drinks, not a few yard glasses. If you’re poor, like many young peeps (and old ones…), a cheaper way to do this is to pool resources before you go out (a case of beer or bottle of spirits between friends is obviously much better value than buying premixed cans or six-packs), or go to your local bowling or services club for a few drinks and maybe a round of pool, before hitting pricier venues.

Cheap drinks (yet surprisingly tasty)

Ahhh. Cask wine. Not just a super-cheap alcohol, but also a handy pillow if you need a lie down after.

Goon can be good (ok, maybe good is too generous a word…) for parties – especially when it’s made into other things like fruit punch (mix whatever you can get, out of cask white or cheap bubbly (or white spirits if you’re rich) plus fruit juice, cold tea (seriously, it’s good), ginger ale or beer, fizzy lemonade (ie Sprite) and/or tinned or fresh fruit and mint leaves), or sangria (mix red wine, about half as much fruit juice, some canned peaches or other fruit like berries plus some ice, then top with ginger ale, lemonade or soda) or even mulled wine in winter (red wine gently heated with a cinnamon stick and a Tbs honey). You can also mix beer with lemonade to make a shandy (sounds so much classier, yes?).

But then half the fun is in the experimenting to taste, so don’t be constricted by recipes, just invent your own — the Bazza Blast…the Shazza Surprise…the possibilities are endless really.

Depending on how much, and how often, you’re doing the tasting, however, you might end up needing the following info…

Help with drug and alcohol problems

Again, I can’t stress this enough, if it’s an emergency, always call for help (e.g. 911 or 000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Depending on where you live, there’re a lot of places to get information, counselling or help for yourself or a friend, if it’s less urgent.

See useful websites: drugs & alcohol for links to confidential drug info, counselling and other support services in your local area.

Useful Websites: Drugs & Alcohol

Need help or info?

Check out these links (&/or phone numbers) to get help or information for problems with alcohol, smoking, drugs or related mental health issues.

Need help to quit smoking?

In Australia, try www.icanquit.com.au or www.quitnow.gov.au or call Quitline on 137848.

In the USA try www.smokefree.gov

In the UK see www.smokefree.nhs.uk or

Who to call for help with mental health problems (Australia)

Call for emergency police help if you’re scared for your or someone else’s safety

Call your local area health service’s 24 hr mental health free call (look it up in the phonebook, call directory assistance or google it). They can organise a crisis response if necessary.

Call Lifeline (131114) to talk to someone

Mental health info & ways to find help

www.sane.org

www.headspace.org.au

www.beyondblue.org.au

Info on steroid use

For Australia: www.asada.org.au; USA: www.usada.org; UK: www.ukad.org.uk

Help with drug & alcohol problems

NOTE: Always call emergency services in a crisis situation

For the UK, start with sites like www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs; www.nidirect.gov.uk; www.talktofrank.com andwww.addaction.org.uk for information and ways to get help, or www.adfam.org.uk or www.drugfam.org.uk if you’re the friend of a problem user.

In the USA, call 1-800-662-HELP for a free referral helpline, try your local narcotics anonymous or check outwww.drugfree.org

Australian drug information and help services

Poisons information centre 13 11 26

Alcohol & drug info www.adin.com.au or www.adf.org.au

Counselling online (free 24hrs/7 days) 1800 888 236 www.counsellingonline.org.au

Cannabis info and help (2pm-11pm Sun-Fri) 1800 304050 www.ncpic.org.au

Drug info website 1300 858 584 www.druginfo.adf.org.au

Family drug info for if you’re concerned about a friend or relative using drugs 1300 360 455 (NSW) 1300 660 068 (Vic) www.familydrughelp.org.au

Or call the Australian Drug Information Service or similar organisation in your State or Territory

NSW: ADIS (anonymous, 24-hour alcohol and drug information service) Sydney 02 9361 8000; regional NSW 1800 422 599

Vic: Directline for 24 hour confidential drug and alcohol counselling and referrals 1800 888 236

Qld: ADIS (anonymous, 24-hour alcohol and drug information service) 1800 177 833

WA: ADIS (anonymous, 24-hour alcohol and drug information service) Perth 08 9442 5050; regional WA 1800 653 203

SA: ADIS (anonymous, 24-hour alcohol and drug information service) 1300 131 340

ACT: ACT Health Services: Alcohol and other drugs 02 6207 9977

NT: ADIS (anonymous, 24-hour alcohol and drug information service) 1800 131 350

Tas: ADIS (anonymous, 24-hour alcohol and drug information service) 1800 811 994