More Australians are overdosed on GHB. But there are ways to reduce risk

Gamma hydroxybutyrate – better known as GHB – is more and more popular Illegal drugs used recreation in Australia.

Although it can cause a feeling of euphoria, disinhibition and increased libido, GHB carries a grave risk. The difference between a recreational dose and an overdose of GHB – usually treated as a fluid – can be Less than 0.5 ml.

What is GHB?

GHB (sometimes called “g”, “juice”, “gina” or “fantasy”) noted globally due to related damage. It is usually colorless and unscented the liquid that it can Taste bitter or salty.

Collected in higher doses, GHB works like depressedSlowdown in breathing and heart rate.

At low doses (about 1 ml) maybe cause effects such as euphoria, increased libido and reduced braking. For this reason, GHB is often used as a party for a party (for example in nightclubs) and to Make your sex easier.

Other chemicals Called Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL) and 1.4-butanediol (1.4-BD) are often sold or used as Replacement of GHBThe production of essentially similar effects.

How wide is it used?

Just 0.2% of Australian residents Report using GHB over the past year. This is low compared to other drugs, such as marijuana (11.5%) or cocaine (4.5%).

However, among some groups, the utilize of GHB is much higher.

In 2024, 12% of people who Take ecstasy regularly And other illegal stimulants (such as methamphetamine) have said that they used GHB over the past six months. Among those who Inject drugs regularlyIt was 15%. These data are collected every year and show that the utilize of GHB has increased among these groups over the past five years.

Homosexual and bisexual men’s surveys also indicate higher utilize: almost 20% Say that they took GHB at least once in their lives.

Risk

GHB has a high risk of overdose. It’s because it is Very little difference In a dose that causes euphoric or relaxing effects, which causes loss of consciousness.

AND GHB overdose It is often called “g-croplem” or “blowjob”. People who have overdosed may experience the unconscious and vibration of muscles, seizures and respiratory depression – when a person stops breathing.

Unfortunately, unlike overdose caused by opioids – which can be reversed by administering nalloxon – There is no medicine that can reverse GHB.

Observing GHB overdose can be very disturbing. You should Call the rescue services at 000 Meanwhile, keep a person Ridge and monitor the respiratory tract their breathing.

Dependence and other damage

Over the past ten years, damage related to GHB has escalated. In particular related to GHB The presence of an ambulanceIN Emergency presentations AND hospitalizations They increased. For example in Victoria, The presence of an ambulance associated with GHB It increased by 147% in 2012–2019.

People who utilize GHB at least once a day can hang. If someone uses GHB every day, it is always recommended Consult your doctor Before stopping. Suddenly stopping can cause grave and even life -threatening Symptoms of withdrawal.

Sex and agreement

Because GHB reduces braking and improves libido, some people also decide to connect it with gender.

IN Our researchWe found those who do this often utilize a number of strategies to look after themselves and their partners. For example, they can previously communicate about their sexual interests, borders and boundaries, and communicate consent both oral and non -verbally.

A few thunderous cases abroad and in Australia also noted the utilize of GHB in tender and sexual assault with drug annulment.

These cases are deeply worrying. However, Many research Show other drugs – such as cannabis AND even alcohol -They are more often used in sexual assault expressed by drugs.

Detection of GHB in cases of sexual assault It can be difficult And truth The frequency of sexual assault expressed by drugs in Australia It is unknown, which means that we do not have consistent data on how often GHB is used in sexual assault.

If people who voluntarily utilize GHB for sex experience disturbing sexual situations, Research shows They can resist marking them as sexual violence. This may mean that despite their torments, they cannot look for support sexual assault services.

Our research He suggests that people using GHB may be more willing to seek facilitate when services utilize a different language to offer support – focusing on “confusion” or “concern” for sexual meetings, not sexual violence.

Damage limiting strategies

Our research It also shows knowledge about GHB, and the reduction of damage can matter. We conducted interviews with 31 people who used GHB three or more times in the previous year.

They reported a number of strategies to maintain themselves, their friends and sexual partners of security while using GHB. These include:

• Carefully measuring each dose

• Always starting with a low dose

• Intervals in time in time

• Avoiding GHB mixing with other depressions of the central nervous system, such as alcohol

• Opening of communication on consent, sexual interests and boundaries when connecting GHB with sex.

Changing designs

We still do not know exactly why the escalate in the utilize of GHB in Australia.

Possible factors switch on its low price and Increased availability.

Up-to-date groups using GHB, including People who inject drugs AND womenIt can also contribute to an escalate in damage such as hospitalization. They can be less familiar with safer ways to utilize the drug. We need more research to understand why and how these modern groups utilize it.

There is also a lot to learn about the long -term influence of GHB on health and well -being.

Australian guidelines were published on the subject GHB withdrawal management.

However, there are few guidelines for clinicians and service providers about how to best cooperate with people who want to reduce the utilize of GHB. We need more research to understand the experience of people using services aimed at reducing the utilize of GHB or withdrawal.

Drug and treatment tips are available free of charge at National Hotline of Alcohol and another drug helpline.

You can report the unexpected overdose of the poison information center from anywhere in Australia on 131 126. In emergency call 000.

The National Line of Sexual Counseling, Line of Counseling in the Family and Domestic Violence – 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for each Australian who has experienced or is threatened with family violence and // or sexual assault.