Whole Library

What is alcohol? And what's happening in our bodies as we drink that leads us to feel dizzy, obnoxiously brave and mouthy, before finally sick and in need of a long sleep? Learn more in this video from The Conversation.

As a parent of a teenager, drugs can feel like a daunting topic to discuss. ReachOut spoke to Associate Professor Cath Chapman and Associate Professor Nicola Newton of the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use to learn as much as possible about the best ways for parents to handle the issue.

Overdoses, either accidental or deliberate, can happen to anyone at any time. It can be a frightening experience to watch someone in the middle of an overdose. What do you need to know and what should you do? Learn more with this factsheet from St Johns Victoria.

Most of us will face tough times in our lives – it may be the stress or loss of a job, end of a relationship, or a health challenge. While you may not have control over the difficult situation, you can control how it impacts you. Read more about how to reach for healthy coping strategies in this article from the Australian Drug Foundation.

‍

This factsheet from Drug Aware shares strategies and tools to equip young people with the appropriate skills to successfully refuse drugs in various situations they may face as a teenager and young adult.

‍

What legislation covers the topic of young people and alcohol, and what does that legislation mean? Learn about youth and alcohol laws in this factsheet from Tasmania Police.

What is vaping? Why do people do it? How can you help a young person quit if they're vaping? Find the answers to these questions and more in this factsheet from the Australian Drug Foundation.

Risk-taking is a key part of adolescent development. It helps young people develop their identity, build experience and gain peer approval.And for some young people, risk-taking will mean experimentation with alcohol and other drugs.

‍

What are antidepressants and how do they work? Can Antidepressants and Alcohol interact in the body? Find the answers to these questions and more with this factsheet from NSW health.

See how MDMA affects the brain with this 1 minute video from NSW health. MDMA (ecstasy) boosts the feel-good chemicals in your brain but any amount is risky and the more you take, the more often, the more damage you can do.

See how cannabis affects different parts of the brain in this 1 minute video from NSW health. Cannabis mimics our brain’s internal systems to alter our experience of the world and can also mess with our memory, concentration and coordination.

See how alcohol affects the brain from front to back in this 1 minute video from NSW health. Alcohol reduces brain activity and if you’re under 25, can have a long-lasting impact on how your brain develops.