Be aware of the factors that can make you more likely to overdose.
This includes
- Taking a lot of the drug.
- If the drug has been adulterated with a different drug or is a completely different drug altogether.
- Taking multiple drugs at the same time (including alcohol and medications)
- Using drugs alone.
- Taking drugs through a faster route of administration e.g. injecting or smoking instead of swallowing.
- Your tolerance is lower than usual, e.g. you’ve taken a long break from using the drug.
These are some things you can do to reduce your risk of overdose:
- Crush, mix and measure your drug. Research common doses for the drug (see our drug info pages) and weigh out your drug. Only take with you the amount you are planning to use so you don’t accidentally take more.
- Use drug checking to find out what you have.
- Avoid mixing drugs. If you do choose to take multiple drugs at the same time, take less of each and have as much time as possible between when you take each drug.
- Have people around you who can get help if something goes wrong.
- Take drugs through slower routes of administration e.g. swallowing.
- Take less of the drug if your tolerance may have lowered. This can happen after you’ve taken a long break from using the drug.