Important information for parents, families, and significant others
Parents, families, and significant others may get worried when they find out their loved one is using drugs.
Keep in mind there is no evidence that a young person experimenting with, or using, drugs occasionally will become dependent on that drug.
It is important, as a parent or family member, to raise the issue of drug use in a supportive and loving environment. It is equally valuable to provide the young person with correct and relevant information and provide hope.
There is lots of help available for you. The Parent & Family Drug Support Line is a great place to start — call 9442 5050.
Impact on family and friends
As a parent, family member, significant other or friend, you might feel frustrated, upset or hurt by a loved one's drug use. If the person is living with a drug dependency, you may not understand why and suggest they just quit. However, this is not always an easy option. Withdrawal symptoms can be really unpleasant, so most people avoid them at all costs.
Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and GHB (fanta) can be dangerous — always seek medical advice to support this.
Your feelings are normal and valid
Common feelings you might have:
What can you do?
As a parent, family member or carer you play a vital role. Here are some ways to stay informed and support your loved one:
Learn as much as you can
Understand the different types of drugs and their impacts on the mind and body. Talk to a doctor, health care worker, or call the support line on 9442 5050.
Openly discuss drugs
Sit down and have a chat about drugs — the good and not so good things about them. The key is to be honest and not to scare them too much.
Show mutual respect
People use drugs for many different reasons. Be respectful of their experiences and thoughts — being supportive and non-judgemental builds respect both ways.
Be a good role model
If you drink, show that you drink within safe limits. Eat before drinking, have water or non-alcoholic drinks as well, and consider alcohol-free days.
Choose the right time to talk
Be mindful of who else is in the room before you speak. Pick a time when you are both relaxed and can speak calmly.
Listen
Listen without putting them down or yelling. Showing interest in their thoughts and experiences builds trust, so they feel comfortable to talk or ask questions.
Family rules and responsibilities
Reinforce family rules and responsibilities with your loved one. It is important they know what is expected of them — and the consequences of breaking these rules. Try to allow them to be part of the decision-making process around their responsibilities and the consequences for not following them.
Look after yourself
This is the most valuable advice to remember. When stressed and anxious, you tend to put everyone else first. Go for a walk, take a bath, have a coffee with friends, eat well, rest, and spend time with your other family and friends. Remember you are not alone.
Get support. The Parent & Family Drug Support Line offers free, confidential counselling 24 hours a day, seven days a week — call 9442 5050. Other support can include a close friend, family member, doctor, health care worker or a support group. Visit admhss.mhc.wa.gov.au/programs to see free support groups available.
Facts for parents and family members
What is a drug?
A drug is any substance (with the exception of food and water) which, when taken into the body, alters the body's function either physically and/or psychologically. Drugs may be legal (e.g. alcohol, caffeine and tobacco) or illegal (e.g. cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin).
Why do people use drugs?
- to have fun, relax, forget problems or as a form of escapism
- to gain confidence and socialise, or out of curiosity
- to lessen inhibitions or remove personal responsibility for decisions
- to celebrate or commiserate, or relieve boredom and stress
- self-medication to cope with problems
- to fit in or feel part of a group
Types of drugs
Psychoactive drugs may be divided into four categories — tap each to learn more.
Depressants slow down the body, including breathing and heart rate. They can make you feel happy, calm and relaxed, but can also make you feel fearful, paranoid or aggressive. These drugs can be very dangerous as they can cause unconsciousness, vomiting or death.
Depressants include:
Stimulants, sometimes referred to as uppers, increase the body's state of arousal by increasing the activity of the brain. They can make you feel awake, happy and alert, but sometimes can also make you feel paranoid, scared, jealous and suspicious.
Stimulants can include:
A hallucinogen is a drug or chemical capable of producing hallucinations — a false perception through one of the senses (for example, seeing or hearing something that is not there). Hallucinogens can also alter mood and perception, among other brain processes.
Hallucinogens include:
Some drugs have properties of more than one category. Cannabis has depressive, hallucinogenic, and some stimulant properties. Ecstasy can contain stimulant, hallucinogenic, and empathogenic properties — an empathogen increases feelings of empathy, compassion, intimacy, and social connection with others.
Synthetic drugs — sometimes known as incense, kronic or spice — are heavily laced with many different chemicals and are extremely dangerous, as buyers do not know what chemicals they are taking. Side effects can be very serious and sometimes life threatening.
Effects of drugs
The effects of drugs vary from person to person depending on the person's characteristics (physical size, gender, mood, diet, fitness, age, expectations and health), the drug itself (amount used and purity), how it is taken, and the environment a person is in when using the drug.
Some people become depressed, angry, aggressive, sleepy, unmotivated, paranoid, anxious or talkative. Drug use can also lead to social and emotional problems and negative effects on relationships with family and friends.
Mixing drugs
Polydrug use, also known as mixing drugs, occurs when two or more drugs are used at the same time or on the same occasion. It can also occur when a manufacturer combines different drugs — meaning users combine drugs unintentionally.
There is a greater chance of harm if more than one drug is used at a time, especially when drugs of unknown content and purity are combined. This includes mixing over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol.
Types of drug use
- Experimental use — when a person tries a drug a couple of times because they are curious.
- Recreational use — when a person uses a drug for enjoyment at a social occasion like a party or gathering.
- Situational use — when a person uses a drug to cope with a situation, for example drinking lots of alcohol after a funeral or at a footy/sports carnival.
- Intensive use — also known as 'bingeing', when a person uses a lot over a short amount of time with the aim of getting drunk or intoxicated.
- Dependent use — after regular use, a person's body and brain may adapt, resulting in a need for the drug in order to function well and painful, distressing withdrawal symptoms if usage stops.
What is dependence?
After regular use, a person's body and brain may adapt, resulting in a need for the drug in order to function well. Being dependent can vary from mild urges through to problematic use, and the person may behave in unexpected ways — this can be difficult for their family and community to understand.
If they suddenly stop taking the drug they may experience withdrawal symptoms: feeling really sad or distressed, or physical symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fits or relentless cramps. Sudden withdrawal can sometimes be life-threatening.
For example, if someone drank every day for a week then stopped, they might feel agitated, get the sweats, feel shaky and very unwell. Always seek medical advice on how to support someone who feels sick when they stop using alcohol or other drugs.
What is tolerance?
Regular use can lead to tolerance — a person needs more of the drug to achieve the same effects they did previously with smaller amounts. For example, a person who previously felt intoxicated after three beers might now drink 12 beers to feel intoxicated.
People may begin to experiment with other drugs or begin to mix more than one drug. This can be extremely dangerous.
Psychosis
Psychosis describes a condition in which a person's perception of reality is impaired — for example, hearing voices that aren't there or thinking people are "out to get them".
Symptoms may include:
- increased paranoia, fear or aggression
- delusional behaviour (believing things that are not reality)
- hallucinations (seeing things that are not reality)
- lack of motivation
- being unable to perform usual tasks at home, work or school
Drug-induced psychosis is usually short-term (hours or days) and stops once the person stops using the drug. However, in some cases it can take much longer — up to six months or more. When psychosis occurs, it can be distressing for the person, their family and the community.
Drug induced psychosis: what to do
In an extreme situation, consider:
- giving your loved one a quiet space to help them calm down
- keeping yourself and your family safe
- leaving the house or surroundings if in danger
If anyone is at risk of self-harm or placing others at risk, call the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) on 1300 555 788 (Perth metro), 1800 676 822 (Peel), or Rurallink on 1800 552 002 (regional and remote WA).
Get help from a doctor or health worker you trust — someone who knows your situation is best placed to assist. Take the person to a hospital Emergency Department if they consent — it is usually safer to wait in hospital than at home.
Call the police on triple zero (000) if your loved one is threatening violence or being violent. If you feel like you and/or your loved one are in danger, it's okay to call triple zero.
5 ways to wellbeing
Drugs and alcohol can have an impact on our overall wellbeing — affecting relationships and making it harder to prioritise the things that are important to us. This model supports wellbeing for people who use drugs, and for those around them.
Connect
We all need connection with friends, family and neighbours. Supporting someone can feel isolating — talking to people in similar situations helps you know you're not alone.
Be active
Exercising can make us feel good — even a walk can change how we're feeling. Regular sleep, nutrition and hydration matter too.
Take notice
Notice the positive things around you — the seasons changing, the sun setting. It puts you in the moment, and mindfulness is well researched and effective.
Keep learning
Find things you're interested in — it builds connections, grows your confidence and can be enjoyable.
Give
Doing something nice for a friend or stranger makes us feel happy in ourselves. Just saying thank you and smiling can change how we feel.
5 Ways to Wellbeing — created by NEF 2008.
Stages of change
It is useful for parents and other family members to be aware of the various stages of change that a person trying to stop using alcohol and other drugs will go through.
If you want to help your loved one make the choices or changes they think are best for them, ask them what sort of help and support they need. Each stage requires different things, and having relapse prevention strategies in place for each stage is essential — support from family and friends, being aware of triggers (events, environments and influential people), coping strategies, and pharmacotherapy (replacement drug therapy).
The Stages of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente) shows that people can be in different stages for different lengths of time, may move back and forward between stages many times, and that relapses are a common part of the process — people rarely change their behaviour on their first attempt, so relapse prevention and management strategies are very important.
- Pre-contemplationNo intention of changing behaviour
- ContemplationAware a problem exists, no commitment to action
- PreparationIntent upon taking action
- ActionActive modification of behaviour
- MaintenanceSustained change — new behaviour replaces old
- RelapseFall back into old patterns — an upward spiral: learn from each relapse
What help is available for my child or family member?
There are many forms of help available, and at times it can seem hard to choose the best place. Programs include drug and alcohol counselling, peer support, support groups, in-patient detoxification, home detoxification, residential rehabilitation, GP support and family counselling.
There are also harm reduction strategies that can help keep them safe if they aren't wanting or ready to stop using. Treatment agencies will usually only admit your child or family member if they want to get help for their drug use and consent to it.
Call the Parent and Family Drug Support Line on 9442 5050 to ask about relevant services and how to access them.
Harm reduction
Sometimes, when someone isn't ready to stop using drugs, there are things they can do to keep themselves safer.
Naloxone
Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. It's useful for the person using drugs, and their friends and family, to have access to naloxone and know how and when to use it. It could save their life.
Sterile injecting equipment
Sharing needles and injecting equipment risks exposure to blood-borne viruses. Needle and Syringe Programs provide sterile injecting equipment and advice about safer injecting.
Contact Peer Based Harm Reduction WA on (08) 9325 8387 for advice on harm reduction strategies. They also offer postal services for sterile injecting equipment and naloxone anywhere in Western Australia.
Overdose: what to do
In an emergency where you think someone may have overdosed, it is very important you do not leave them alone.
-
Call an ambulance
If the person is unresponsive, call an ambulance — don't be scared to. Tell them if you think drugs may be involved: this helps them tailor support and guide you through the next steps over the phone.
-
Administer naloxone if you have it
Contact Peer Based Harm Reduction WA to learn how to administer naloxone.
-
Place the person in the recovery position (on their left side)
Stay with them until the ambulance arrives. They could overdose again, especially after the naloxone wears off, so it's important they're assessed by a health professional.
About naloxone: a medicine that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose (such as heroin or certain painkillers). Get it from some pharmacies or call Peer Based Harm Reduction WA on 0478 220 428 to have it posted free of charge anywhere in Western Australia — they'll teach you how to use it over the phone. Keep naloxone on hand and know how to administer it if your loved one uses opioids.
Naloxone is safe, easy to administer, and could save their life.
Contact information
Important contact details for further information and support. Tap any number to call.
More information online
* Calls from mobiles may attract a higher fee.