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What is drug or alcohol misuse?
Drugs are substances that affect how the body functions. Illegal drugs — such as ecstasy and heroin — can be harmful and unpredictable. Unlike prescription medicines, there is no government organisation that regulates the quality or amount of active ingredients in illegal substances.
However, not all drugs are illegal. Alcohol is a legal drug that can be harmful if taken in large amounts or for a long time. Medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor can also be harmful if they aren’t taken as directed or are taken for non-medical reasons.
Drug and alcohol misuse isn’t necessarily related to how often — or in what quantity — a person uses drugs, but the impact their drug use has on their life. Drug or alcohol use can become a problem when it starts to affect a person’s judgement, relationships or general health and wellbeing. It can cause them to neglect other responsibilities such as school, work or family.
Drug and alcohol misuse is common. About 1 in 3 people in Australia drink alcohol at risky levels. Two in every 5 people in Australia have used an illegal drug at some point in their lives, including taking pharmaceutical medicines for non-medical purposes.
How do I know if someone needs help for their drug or alcohol use?
It can be difficult to tell if a person is consuming harmful levels of drugs or alcohol, especially if they’re trying to hide their drug or alcohol use.
Some drugs can result in noticeable physical symptoms, including:
- pupils that are larger or smaller than normal
- frequent nosebleeds
- shakes or tremors
- sudden weight loss or gain
- difficulty sleeping
- runny nose or sniffing
A person may be misusing drugs or alcohol if their use leads to:
- difficulty keeping up at school or work
- relationship or family problems
- legal or financial difficulties
- injuries — for example, due to accidents or violence after using drugs or alcohol
If you know that someone is using drugs or alcohol, they might be at risk of developing a problem if they:
- find it difficult to cut down or stop using
- spend a lot of their time trying to find or use drugs or alcohol
- use increasingly larger amounts of substances over time
- use substances more often over time
- have unpleasant symptoms when stopping or cutting down on drugs or alcohol (called ‘withdrawal’)
However, not everyone who misuses drugs or alcohol wants (or needs) help.
It’s also important to know that people may experience symptoms similar to those listed above but for reasons that aren’t related to drug use. This is especially true of young people coping with the challenges of adolescence.
If you aren’t sure whether a person is misusing drugs or alcohol or needs help, start a conversation to see if they’re OK.
How do I start a conversation about someone’s drug or alcohol use?
Prepare for the chat
It’s normal to be anxious about broaching the topic of drugs or alcohol. Preparation is key. Consider getting advice from a professional about how to talk to loved ones about drug use (see ‘Resources and support’, below).
Earning and maintaining a person’s trust is important. Don’t go through their personal belongings or access private information on their social media. They may feel threatened, which can make them less likely to reach out for support.
Pick a time and place to talk where you won’t be interrupted and will have some privacy. Some people find it less confronting to talk while walking together, instead of sitting face-to-face.
Only start the conversation when the person is not currently affected by drugs or alcohol.
Having the conversation
It’s OK to ask someone directly about drug use. But don’t make assumptions that the person is even using drugs, or about how much or how often they use drugs.
Use ‘I’ statements to express your concerns about the person. For example, “I’m a bit worried because…” or “I’ve noticed that lately…” Give the person a chance to respond and express their views and opinions. Try to listen to the person without being judgemental or accusatory.
Talk about the support available that can help the person reduce or stop their alcohol or drug use.
Say that you can talk to, and support, the person in the future — if you’re able to. You could ask them if they want to chat again in a week or two.
The person may not agree that their alcohol or drug use is a problem and might become defensive or angry. If this happens, you haven’t failed — the person may need more time to think about what you discussed.
What should I not say to someone about their drug or alcohol use?
When speaking to someone about their drug use, listen respectfully to their views, and respond calmly. The tone and the type of language you use is important.
Try to avoid the following, since this may upset the person and make them less likely to seek support:
- being judgmental
- lecturing the person
- making them feel guilty
- using bribes or threats
- using negative labels like ‘addict’
How do I keep supporting a friend or family member?
There are many services available to help people who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. If the person is interested in professional help, you can help them find a local drug and alcohol treatment service.
What if the person doesn’t want help for drugs or alcohol?
Ultimately, it’s the person’s decision whether to seek professional help. Many people who misuse drugs or alcohol find it hard to ask for help at first, but may want to reach out later on. Be careful not to ‘nag’ the person, since this might discourage them from opening up in the future.
Clearly state any behaviours you expect, or won’t tolerate, from the person. You might not accept drug use in your home, for example.
Encourage the person to use safely to minimise the risk of harming themselves — for example, through needle and syringe programs (NSPs) or opioid replacement programs.
Find an NSP in your state or territory here. You can also use the healthdirect Service Finder to find one near you. Select ‘By name’ and type ‘needle’ into the search bar.
It’s important to know that you can’t force the person to stop using drugs or alcohol. Only they can choose to change.
How can I look after myself while supporting someone?
Supporting a friend or family member with a drug or alcohol misuse problem can be draining.
Here are some tips to help you look after yourself:
- Look after your physical and mental health by eating well and keeping active.
- Seek support from your own friends and family.
- Contact your GP for advice and support, or one of the organisations listed below.
- Take a break from the person if you need to. Let them know when you’ll be available again, so they don’t feel abandoned.
When should I seek urgent help?
Drugs and alcohol can affect people in different and unpredictable ways. Signs of an unusual or dangerous reaction to a drug can include:
- difficulty breathing
- severe drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- seizures
- collapse (falling unconscious)
- snoring deeply or making choking or gurgling sounds
- expressing paranoid ideas or hallucinating
- becoming agitated or confused
- nausea and vomiting
- chest pain, or abdominal pain or cramps
- coordination problems
- blue fingernails or lips
- becoming pale or sweaty
It’s important to seek immediate medical attention even if you’re worried the person might get into trouble for taking illegal drugs. Emergency services will only notify police if there is a risk to them or the person’s own safety, the safety of others or if someone dies.
A person’s parent or guardian will only be notified if they are under 18.
