GHB

The effects of GHB appear to vary greatly according to the amount used. There is a small difference in the amount used to give an effect and the amount that can cause an overdose. One of the most risky aspects in using GHB is a small increase in amount can result in a dramatic increase in effect, i.e. overdose.   A further risk is that there is often no way to be sure that the drug is manufactured correctly.  Improperly made GHB may result in an extremely toxic mixture of GHB and the chemical sodium hydroxide.

Immediate effects

When you have a small amount of GHB, the effects vary greatly from person to person and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. The effects become noticeable from 5 to 20 minutes after ingestion.

Physical Effects
You may:

• feel good and confident
• feel excited or upset
• take more risks than usual
• have a heightened sense of touch
• want to have sex
• feel drowsy or sleepy
• feel dizzy
• get headaches
• suffer from tremors
• feel sick
• have diarrhoea or urinary incontinence
• find that your heart beats slower
• find that your body temperature lowers
• vomit
• get tunnel vision
• have blackouts and memory lapses
• have convulsions (fits)
• have a heart attack
• overdose
• go into a coma
• impair your capacity as a parent/primary carer of children.

Psychological Effects
You may:

• suffer memory lapses
• become uncoordinated (ataxia)
• become disorientated
• feel confused, irritated or agitated
• hallucinate.

Long-term effects
Some long-term effects of GHB use are unclear. As GHB is similar to the effects of sedative drugs, it is possible to become physically and psychologically dependent on it (addicted).  There is also the potential for tolerance to develop over a period of time to achieve the same (or any) effects as first experienced.

Combining GHB with other depressant drugs like prescription medications or alcohol can slow down the body’s central nervous system and be dangerous. The adverse effects of one drug may be greatly increased by the other.

It is increasingly common for GHB to be mixed with alcohol both inadvertently and by choice. Alcohol is particularly dangerous in combination with GHB as it can be difficult to control the dose. Overdose is a significant risk in such situations.

Not knowing the strength of GHB increases the risk of overdose. Overdose of GHB can happen to anyone. Even small amounts may cause overdose with some people who have an especially strong reaction to it.

When a person overdoses, they may:

• Appear to be asleep but cannot be woken.
• Be incoherent, sweating profusely, vomiting and have irregular or shallow breathing.
• Not be able to stand and/or have involuntary muscle contractions.
• An overdose of GHB can cause
• faster, irregular or weak heartbeat
• breathing problems
• heart attack
• coma
• death.

If you can’t wake someone up or you are concerned that they may have sustained a head injury from a drug related fall – call an ambulance immediately – dial Triple Zero (000).

If the person has been mixing GHB with other drugs, tell the NSW Ambulance paramedic exactly what they have taken. Paramedics are there to help. Generally paramedics don’t involve the police unless there is danger to themselves or other people/children, someone dies, or a crime (such as violence or theft) has been committed.

GHB has been used in drink spiking due to its dis-inhibiting and amnesiac effects that can put a person at risk of overdose, sexual assault or theft.

If you think your drink has been spiked:

• ask someone you trust to get you to a safe place
• visit a hospital or your doctor as soon as possible to test for the presence of drugs.

If you feel unwell or have been sexually assaulted call an ambulance, go to the emergency department or nearest hospital

Drink spiking is serious and illegal. To prevent drink spiking, it may be best to watch your drink, avoid sharing drinks, buy/pour your own drink and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know well or trust.

There is evidence that GHB is highly addictive. People who use GHB regularly can develop a tolerance and dependence very quickly. Tolerance means that you must take more of the drug to feel the same effects you used to have with lower amounts. 

Dependence on GHB can be psychological and physical or both.Dependence on GHB means that it takes up a lot of your thoughts, emotions and activities.

Dependence on GHB can lead to a variety of health, money, legal, work and relationship problems.

Seek help from a doctor or health professional if you find yourself taking multiple doses a day, increasing the amount of times you use GHB, or have withdrawal symptoms between doses (e.g. tremor, anxiety, muscle restlessness, skin sensations).

GHB-dependent people may find it very hard to stop using or cut down because of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from GHB may last two weeks or longer. These can include:

• confusion, agitation, anxiety, panic
• insomnia
• shaking
• muscle cramps
• perspiration
• hallucinations
• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
• seizures/convulsions (fits)
• delusions or paranoia
• psychosis
• sweats
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• nausea or vomiting.

Sudden withdrawal from high doses may also result in bowel and bladder incontinence and blackouts, and may require medical assistance. If you are worried about withdrawal, contact your doctor or health centre.

As is the case with many other drugs and medication, it is not recommended that people use GHB while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Many drugs can cross the mother's cord and therefore have some effects on the unborn child. In general, drug use during pregnancy can increase the incidence of babies born early resulting in low birth-weight babies. Inform antenatal staff of GHB use and attend regular antenatal checkups.

If a mother continues to use GHB while breastfeeding, it is possible that the drug will be present in her milk and may have adverse effects on the baby. Babies are particularly susceptible to overdose.

It is generally risky to take any drug while breastfeeding without medical advice.

If you possess, use, manufacture, import, sell or give GHB to someone else and get caught, you could face substantial fines and penalties including a prison sentence. There have been instances where GHB has been used in drink spiking due to its dis-inhibiting and amnesiac effects.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs including GHB. Anyone under the influence of GHB who kills or injures another person while driving can be sentenced to a term in prison.
Driving under the influence of GHB is considered more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol.

Narcotics Anonymous Australia, a non profit organisation aiming to support people to abstain from drugs.​

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs 24 hours, 7 days a week, call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015.

It will automatically direct you to the Alcohol and Drug Service in the state or territory you are calling from. 

Other support services

• nuaa.org.au NSW U​sers and AIDS Association (NUAA) is a peak drug user organisation in NSW providing harm reduction information and blood borne virus prevention peer education.
  

  Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol Service (NYDAS) works within a holistic model of care to address a range of issues for young people (12 -20 years) of age related to their alcohol and other drug use. Call (02) 4734 2129 or (02) 4734 1333.

• Poisons Information Centre is a  24/7 call centre service to NSW and after hours call centre across Australia. Call 13 11 26

• ahmrc.org.au for Aboriginal community controlled health services across NSW. Go to Members/ Members regional map/ Member services or Member websites.

• alcohol.gov.au provides information about related health issues and Australian government policy. 

• druginfo.adf.org.au for facts and resources on alcohol and other drugs and the prevention of related harm.

• druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au State Library of New South Wales provides up to date information for public libraries in NSW.

• headspace.org.au for mental health and wellbeing support, information and services for young people (12-25 years) and their family and friends.

• kidshelp.com.au is a free, 24 hour counselling service for young people aged 5-25 years. Counselling is offered by web, email or call 1800 55 1800.
  

• au.reachout.com ReachOut is an Australian online youth mental health service with a mobile-friendly site and forums where you can access help, information and support.

• shil.nsw.gov.au for free and confidential sexual health support and information.

• smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au Smart Recovery is a voluntary self-help group that assists people in recovering from alcohol, drug use and other addictive behaviours.

• Visit tafensw.edu.au for help with education, career development or personal matters. Students can contact a local TAFE / university counsellor. Follow the links to student services, careers and counselling.

• youthaction.org.au Youth Action is the peak organisation for young people in NSW. Use the search option to access a directory of NSW youth services.

• youthsolutions.com.au for services for young people 12 – 25 years of age and the community including prevention and health promotion, drug and alcohol education, community programs and referral. You can also call (02) 4628 2319. [provides services to young people in Macarthur & Wingecarribee].

When someone uses or misuses substances, it can affect everyone around them. This site offers a variety of resources for friends and families concerned about their loved ones. Support services are available specifically to help people supporting others with substance use or misuse. There are also tips for talking with kids about alcohol and other drugs (part 1 and part 2). ACON provides support specifically for LGBTQ+ families through Pivot Point.

Informational resources are available in 27 languages. This includes videos providing information about where and how to get help for yourself or someone you care about.

General resources include:
Information and support for family and carers

Managing aggression, alcohol and drug use in the home: A guide for those concerned about children 5-12 years

Coping with aggression, alcohol and drug use in the home - A guide for teenagers

A parents' guide to drug slang