Whole Library

Because it is so widely used, many people don't think about alcohol as a drug. Alcohol is a drug, however, and can have an impact on our mental health.

This factsheet from Headspace looks closer at the relationship between alcohol and mental health.

Drugs and alcohol change the way your brain and body work. They change the balance of chemicals that help your brain to think, feel, create and make decisions.

This webpage from Beyond Blue offers information about various aspects of where alcohol and other drugs and mental health interact.

This information has been written by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities and it is for our LGBTQ community peers and those who support us, including our friends, our partners and our families. LGBTQ communities are unique and the ways in which we drink and/or use drugs can be different to the general population.

This booklet addresses some of the specific circumstances and factors that influence the way that you can provide support for LGBTQ partners, friends and family with issues around alcohol and/or drug use.

If someone you care about is affected by substance use, then chances are you too may be affected and you may benefit from information and support. This booklet is also about helping you to look after yourself.

Cocaine is a powerful but shortterm ‘stimulant’ that speeds up the brain. This factsheet from Headspace tells you what cocaine is, what it does, and how to stay safer.

In this booklet, you will find:

• information about the links between smoking and depression

• sources of support to quit

• what your family and friends can do to help.

You can also read the views andexperiences of people with depressionwho want to quit smoking or have quit smoking successfully. These personal experiences were collected from members of blueVoices (beyondblue’s national reference group).

Festivals, clubbing and parties can be lots of fun, but they can also get out of control. This factsheet from Headspace provides down-to-earth tips for keeping young people and their friends safe during parties.

Modern medicines have had a major impact in helping us stay well. As we get older our bodies change,so it’s important to make sure our medications are still right for us. This brochure from Primary Health Tasmania provides some helpful questions to ask your GP.

There are treatment and support options available to someone who is experiencing problems (including dependence) with crystal methamphetamine ('ice') or other drugs. This factsheet from Cracks in the Ice talks about the different treatment options available.

It can be hard to see someone you care about using ice, especially if it negatively aects their life, work or relationships. So, what do you dowhen you’ve raised your concerns but your loved one chooses not to seek support? This factsheet from Cracks in the Ice provides helpful information on what steps to take next.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s crystal methamphetamine ('ice') use, keeping the lines of communication open is an importantway of keeping them connected to you, even at the most challenging of times. This factsheet from Cracks in the Ice gives advice for preparing for the conversation, what to do during the conversation, and the steps to take after.

Methamphetamine use can aect people dierently and may be more problematic for some people. If you're worried someone you care about is using methamphetamine, this factsheet from Cracks in the Ice talks about signs and symptoms and where to find support.

This factsheet from Cracks in the Ice provides tips for parents and guardians to start a conversation with their children about methamphetamines (ice) and other drugs.