Whether you use drugs often, or are using for the first time, taking some simple harm reduction measures can help you stay safer.
For information about staying safer with the way you are using drugs (i.e. smoking or swallowing) see: How you use drugs.
For information about staying safer with specific drugs, see: Drug information.
Know what you’re taking.
You can’t tell what a drug is by the way it looks, smells, or tastes. This is why it’s important to get your drugs checked and find out what's in them. Learn more about drug checking here and find your local drug checking clinic here.
If you can’t get to a drug checking clinic, use home tests like reagents and fentanyl and nitazene test strips.
Start low, go slow.
Start with a lower dose and wait at least an hour to feel the full effects of the drug before deciding if you want to take more. If you haven’t used the drug before, it’s a good idea to take a very small amount first to see how it affects you.
Crush, mix, and measure.
Often, drugs are not evenly mixed, especially for things like pills or baggies with a mix of crystal and powder. This can cause a ‘chocolate chip cookie effect’ where some parts of the drug may contain the drug while other parts don’t.
Crushing, mixing, and measuring will make it easier to dose your drug and avoid accidentally taking too much. See drug information, for common doses people take for each drug.
Only take with you what you plan to use.
This can prevent you from taking more than intended once you’re high or intoxicated.
Look after yourself.
Whether you’re taking drugs for the first time, or using them regularly, it's important to look after your body. Stay hydrated, eat a good meal beforehand, and try to get a good sleep afterwards. These will all help with your recovery.
Avoid using drugs alone.
It is a good idea to have a sober buddy or tripsitter with you when you're using drugs. If you start feeling unwell, get anxious, or experience an overdose, this person can get help quickly. Let them know what you are taking. This is important information for paramedics and hospitals.
Take care if choosing to mix drugs.
Mixing different drugs (including alcohol and medications) can increase the risk of overdose or unpleasant effects. If you do mix, consider taking a lower dose of each, spacing out your doses, and doing research on the combination and its risks. For more information, see our Mixing drugs page.
Know how a substance affects your sex drive and put boundaries in place beforehand.
Keep checking in about consent, boundaries and pleasure with sexual partners.
Take breaks during and between sessions.
Take breaks to give your brain and body time to recover and reduce the chance of developing an addiction.