Whether you are having issues with alcohol or other drugs, are concerned about someone else’s alcohol or other drug use, or just have general questions about alcohol or other drugs, you can call ADIS any time of the day or week for support, information, counselling and referral to services in NSW.

ADIS Web Chat is also available from Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm (including public holidays).

NSW Health in collaboration with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) and local agencies has a suite of resources including videos, factsheets and free interactive online education modules to help you and your community learn more about crystal methamphetamine or ice and its effect on individuals and communities.

These resources also explain where you can get help if you or someone you know has an ice problem or you want to support someone struggling with dependence.

On this page

1. Online learning
2. Video messages from people affected by ice
3. Where to get support
4. What should I do in an emergency?
5. Fact sheets and further information
   

Online learning

This interactive tool will help you learn more about ice, its history, the effects and how to access support services, with audio and video animation.

Messages from people affected by ice

Breaking the ice in our community

Hear from an ex-user, clinicians, harm minimisation specialists and families on the impact of ice on their communities and life after ice.

Jay Morris’s story

Ex ice user Jay talks about his experience of overcoming a dependence on ice. Watch to hear from Jay about when he realised using ice became a problem, the moment he knew he needed help and his message to people using ice.

Debbie Warner’s story

Mother of ex-ice user, Debbie talks about her experience of dealing with the stigma of ice and how she found support. Hear her message for families struggling with drug dependence.

Dr Suzie Hudson’s Story

Hear from Clinical Director Dr Suzie Hudson on what ice is, how it is used, the support available and her experience of working with the people using ice. Hear her message to communities.

Where to get support

• Call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs 24 hours, 7 days a week.
• Call the Stimulant Treatment Line (STL) on 02 9361 8088 Sydney Metro or Free call* on 1800 10 11 88 Regional & rural NSW for concerns about psychostimulants (crystal, ice, coke, MDMA, etc) use. 24 hours, 7 days a week. (*Free call numbers are not free from mobile phones.)
• Call Family Drug Support (FDS) on 1300 368 186 or www.fds.org.au for caring, non-religious and non-judgemental support and assistance throughout Australia.

What should I do in an emergency?

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 methamphetamines 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.

Fact sheets and further information

For further information on methamphetamine or ice visit Methamphetamine or refer to resources for individuals and families:

• Breaking The Ice – What Is Crystalline Methamphetamine?
  • Arabic
  • Vietnamese
• Breaking the Ice – Harm Reduction
• Breaking The Ice – Family
• Breaking The Ice – For Aboriginal Communities
  • Arabic
  • Vietnamese
• Breaking The Ice – Treatment
  • Arabic
  • Vietnamese
• Breaking The Ice – Withdrawal
• Methamphetamine (Speed and Ice) Drug Facts
  • Arabic
  • Chinese simplified
  • Chinese traditional
  • Hindi
  • Vietnamese
• Methamphetamine Drug Facts Booklet
• Not Our Way - Are you standing on thin ice? Booklet for Aboriginal Communities
• Not Our Way - Ice Storybook for Aboriginal Communities

For the latest data on methamphetamine related emergency department presentations and methamphetamine related hospitalisations please visit NSW Health Stats Drug Misuse.

Health service providers can find more information on alcohol and other drugs, including early intervention, strategy, programs and guidelines on the NSW Health website.

MDMA and other stimulants affect everyone differently. Some people can experience an overdose after taking only one or two tablets. 

People respond differently to MDMA depending on many factors, including:

• Size, weight and general health
  
• Using other drugs, especially stimulants, at the same time
  
• Strength of the drug (you can't tell by looking)
  
• Taking many tablets or pills at once or more too close together (a person may think they've built up a tolerance and take too much)
  
• The presence of other contents in the tablet or pill
  
• Use of medications or supplements
  
• Dehydration or lack of food
  
• Prolonged use (taking a drug consistently over a long period of time)
  
• Sleep deprivation
  
• Their genetic makeup (some people's bodies can't process and get rid of drugs or alcohol very well).
  

​The Get Healthy Service Alcohol Program is a free telephone-based coaching service designed to support you to make healthy lifestyle changes and reduce your alcohol consumption.

The Get Healthy Service offers up to 10 coaching calls to support you to achieve a healthy weight, eat healthier, increase your levels of physical activity and reduce your alcohol consumption by making small simple changes to your lifestyle.

If you are, or know someone who is worried about their level of alcohol consumption then the alcohol reduction program is highly recommended. Our health coach will assess the risk of drinking and provide support and motivation needed to help you reach your health goal. The program uses the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), an internationally validated screening tool to screen for alcohol risk.

What's included?

You will receive 10 free coaching sessions with their own personal health coach and a book containing information about appropriate alcohol intake, an alcohol facts booklet and an alcohol journey book to help keep participants motivated and record their progress.

How to Enrol

The NSW Get Healthy Service is available Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm. To enrol simply call 1300 806 258 or register online at www.gethealthynsw.com.au to start your get healthy journey.

Learn more about how the Get Healthy Service can help you here.

In the event that drugs become a problem for you, discover more about how to identify the problem and where to get help.

Drugs and the law

​Preservation of life is a law enforcement priority. Police will not be called to a drug overdose unless there is a threat of danger to ambulance officers or if the overdose becomes fatal and the person dies. Hospitals and doctors also DO NOT notify the police if you request medical attention for a suspected overdose.

NSW Police on MDMA / Ecstasy and the law:

“You are breaking the law if you possess, use, manufacture, import or sell ecstasy. In NSW, if you are found guilty of possessing or using ecstasy, you could get a fine of up to $5,000, and/or other penalties including community service work or a term in prison of up to 2 years. These penalties apply to both adults and young people aged between 10 and 18 years.”

For further information visit NSW Police | Drugs and Alcohol.

When drugs become a long-term problem

Recognising that you have a problem with alcohol and drugs can be a confronting experience but help is available. If drugs are getting in the way of you achieving your goals, studying, working or having quality relationships, or if you experience the following symptoms, it may be time to get help.

• Often feeling sick or low in energy
• Changes in mood, either feeling more anxious or unhappy or frequent ups and downs
• Trouble sleeping, eating or doing normal daily tasks
• Missing study or work or not doing things you were meant to
• Difficulty controlling how much alcohol and drugs you use
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

If you think your alcohol or drug use is becoming a problem give an Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) counsellor a call on 1800 250 015, they are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to provide confidential support and advice.

​Got a question about hep B or hep C? Call the Hepatitis Infoline for confidential information, support and referrals, across NSW. 

You can also search their online Services Directory to find hepatitis services near you. Access the directory by clicking here

The NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), also known as opioid agonist treatment or opioid substitution treatment, provides pharmacotherapy and support services to people with an opioid dependence. Treatment may be provided as a short term measure to assist people to stop using other opioids, or for long term maintenance.

The OTP is provided through public clinics, private clinics, general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacies, and correctional facilities, and may be provided alongside other treatments such as counselling or residential rehabilitation. The pharmacotherapy medicines used in the NSW OTP are methadone, buprenorphine – including depot buprenorphine, given in an injection under the skin weekly or monthly – and buprenorphine-naloxone.

1. What is opioid dependence?
2. What are pharmacotherapy medicines?
3. NSW Opioid Treatment Program
4. Mixing OTP medicines with other drugs
5. Driving Safety
6. Talk to someone about OTP

What is opioid dependence?

When some people experience pain, both physical and or psychological, they may rely on opioids to make their body and mind feel better. People who are dependent on opioids find it very hard to stop using or cut down because of withdrawal symptoms. Stopping opioid use abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, these can begin to occur within only a few hours after last use.

Symptoms can include:

• Sweats and chills
• Sleeplessness and broken sleep
• Uneasiness/anxiety
• Feeling restless
• Diarrhoea
• Restless legs
• Stomach and leg cramps
• Nausea
• Runny nose and eyes
• Joint pain
• Cravings (wanting opioids very badly)

Some people may experience withdrawal after they have been on strong medicines prescribed by their doctor, such as oxycodone (Endone) or codeine. While others may experience it after using illicit drugs like heroin. Dependence is a medical condition, regardless of how people become dependent or what drug they use, everyone is entitled to treatment.

What are pharmacotherapy medicines?

Methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine-naloxone belong to a group of sedating and strong pain-killing drugs called opioids. Both methadone and buprenorphine are long-acting opioids, therefore only one dose per day is usually needed to prevent the uncomfortable symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Methadone and buprenorphine may also be prescribed by clinicians to patients to treat severe or chronic pain or in palliative care settings.

The effects of methadone and buprenorphine can include relief from pain and a feeling of wellbeing, but can also cause nausea, sleepiness and long term use can have effects on male reproductive health, libido and cause sweating and constipation.

Buprenorphine is effective at blocking the effect of other opioids, as it binds tightly to the opioid receptors in the brain. It comes in three different forms, a tablet (Subutex) or film (Suboxone) which are dissolved under the tongue, and a long acting injection (depot- Buvidal and Sublocade). For depot buprenorphine, injections last a week or a month.

Buprenorphine may also be mixed with naloxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) to discourage people injecting.

NSW Opioid Treatment Program

The purpose of the OTP is to provide patients with access to treatment for opioid dependency, with a focus on improving patients’ health, wellbeing and engagement with their families and community.

Patients can access treatment through public drug and alcohol services, private clinics, GPs and community pharmacies. The type of treatment they access will depend on the complexity of the care they need and their location.

Treatment through public clinics is free for patients with the most complex care needs or for those needing supervised dosing.

In many cases, patients can be treated in community settings such as private GP clinics with management of methadone or buprenorphine dispensed daily through community pharmacies.

Most patients are required to start the program with a nurse or a pharmacist watching them take the methadone or buprenorphine every day. After some time patients may be able to have some of the medication to take at home, but this is only after the patient and the doctor are comfortable with how the treatment is progressing, and it is safe to do so.

Long-acting depot buprenorphine does not require supervision because once the medication is injected it is slowly released over days or weeks, depending on the formulation.

Patients and doctors will decide together what treatment plan and medication is best. Some patients may want to take the medication for a short amount of time, other patients may feel they need the medications for longer, each patients’ needs are different.

Clinicians delivering the OTP are guided in practice by the NSW Clinical Guidelines: Treatment of Opioid Dependence.

Only patients with opioid dependence are suitable for the OTP program. Similar opioid treatment programs are available in all states and territories.

Mixing OTP medicines with other drugs

Methadone and buprenorphine alone are not risky to take but it is necessary to understand how they interact with other sedating substances – particularly benzodiazepines and alcohol. There is a risk of over-sedation when taking sedating medications or alcohol while being treated with methadone.

It is important that patients discuss with their clinicians (doctor, nurse or pharmacist) about all their prescriptions and their other substance use. Doctors can choose a different combination of prescription medication to reduce the risks.

Driving Safety

It is not risky to drive when on a stable dose of methadone or buprenorphine, as long as you are not taking other sedating substances or drugs at the same time.

In the first two weeks of buprenorphine and first four weeks of methadone treatment, and any time where the dose is changed by 5mg or more, you are strongly advised NOT to drive or operate heavy machinery.

For more information, visit drivingsafety.com.au.

Pregnancy and child safety

Babies and children can die from taking methadone or buprenorphine. It is important that any takeaway doses are stored in a locked cupboard or drawer, and to never take the medicines in front of children. Depot buprenorphine is a good alternative for parents, as there are no takeaway doses and therefore no chance of exposing children to the medicines.

Methadone and buprenorphine must never be given to babies or children, unless prescribed to them. If a child has taken it call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

If you are dependent on opioids and pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, it is important you consider getting treatment for opioid dependency. Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service (SUPPS) can coordinate treatment, call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015, for counselling and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Talk to someone about OTP

The Opioid Treatment Line (OTL) is a phone based service that provides opioid pharmacotherapy information, referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy or treatment concerns. OTL assists people who want to know more about the system of opioid treatment in NSW, including how to get onto a program, and what they should expect from clinics and doctors providing the service.

For more information contact the Opioid Treatment Line (OTL) on 1800 642 428, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm (not available during public holidays).

For information from a consumer led organisation, contact NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA).

For free and confidential advice call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015. Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide information, referrals, crisis counselling and support. Or start a Web Chat with an ADIS counsellor online Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5pm.

​​If you need information about support or treatment options for alcohol and other drugs you can contact one of these services.

Music festivals are the highlight of the calendar. You're psyched to be seeing your favourite artists, hanging out with mates, meeting new people and having an awesome experience. To make sure the fun doesn't stop for you and your mates, it's important to know how to party safe and stay OK.

Ultimate festival experience = Preparation

Preparation is paramount to the ultimate festival experience. Planning for what could happen in the event you or someone else needs help because of alcohol or drug use is just as key as your wardrobe, bum-bag game, road trip playlist, phone and other essentials.

1. Pre-festival safety checklist
   
2. Drug safety and overdose
3. The law and long-term problems
   

If your drug and alcohol use is negatively impacting on your health, family, relationships, work, school or other social situations, you may need to seek help. Support services are available for you, your family and friends.

Your Service Hub is an online directory of alcohol and other drugs support, health and welfare services. If you need support for your own or someone else's substance use, you should use terms in Find Services like:

• drug and alcohol family support
  

• drug and alcohol Aboriginal services 
  

• drug counselling
  

• drug and alcohol rehabilitation
  

• drug and alcohol residential treatment
  

along with your suburb name to narrow the search to services near you.

Not sure what service you need? Call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015.