Challenging experiences with drugs can happen at any time, even if you have used a drug before.
Learn things you can do during a challenging experience and when to get help.
What we mean by a challenging experience
There are different ways a drug experience can be challenging.
You may:
- see, hear or feel things that are not there in an intense or frightening way
- have overwhelming or unexpected effects - such as a racing heartbeat, panic or fear
- feel too high or like you are losing control
- feel the experience is lasting too long
- lose contact with yourself or the world around you
- feel a sense of intense dread or death (impending doom or a near-death experience)
- feel anxious, isolated or paranoid
- have thoughts you do not want, including thoughts of suicide
These types of experiences are sometimes called a bad trip.
There are many signs of a drug emergency. A challenging experience could be a sign of a drug emergency or overdose.
If you have a challenging experience
If you have a challenging experience, you could:
- ask someone to stay with you or phone someone you trust - make sure that you are not alone
- find a calmer spot if you are in a loud, bright or crowded place
- tell someone how you feel
- remind yourself that the feelings are temporary
- play calming music
- pick something else to focus on - for example, your breathing or talk about something you enjoy doing
- drink a glass of water in small sips
- ask someone to go with you to get help
- go to a medical tent or welfare space if you are at a festival or an event
Avoid going somewhere else by yourself. Stay in a safe environment with other people if you can.
Do not take any other drugs - it can make the experience worse.
If someone else is having a challenging experience
If someone else is having a challenging experience, you could:
- try to find out what they took - tell them you are asking this to try to help them
- talk to them in a calm and reassuring way
- listen if they tell you what they are experiencing - avoid dismissing them or disagreeing with them
- go with them to a calmer area away from noise, crowds or bright lights if you can
- reassure them that you will stay with them
- remind them that the effects are temporary
- get them to focus on their breathing
- suggest that they lie on their side or close their eyes if it is safe to do that
- go with them to get help
- go to a medical tent or welfare space if you are at a festival or an event
Respect their space if they need it but make sure they are not alone.
Try to avoid doing things that could make the situation worse:
- do not give them other drugs
- do not put them in a shower or bath
- do not try to make them vomit
- do not argue with them or try to talk about their drug use
Ask them how they are doing in the days after the experience.
If someone gets aggressive or violent
If someone gets violent or threatening, do not put yourself in danger.
Move away from the person and call 112 or 999.
The priority of the emergency services is to make sure everyone is safe.
Get help if you need it
The safest thing to do is to get medical advice. Especially if the situation does not improve or it gets worse.
Get help as soon as possible in an emergency.
Emergency action required: Phone 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken drugs and:
- has much higher or lower than usual breathing rate or heart rate
- does not respond to noise or touch (unresponsive)
- has a seizure (fit)
- has breathing problems - they may make choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
- has blue or grey lips or fingertips
- is unconscious
- has hot skin - white skin may turn red, black or brown skin may turn purple
- has severe distress, confusion or panic - they cannot calm down and may be a danger to themselves or others
- has thoughts of suicide
- has pain in their arms, legs or chest
- has severe vomiting
These are signs of a drug emergency or overdose.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them the drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
How long a trip lasts
It can be hard to know how long any trip will last.
The effects of a drug can depend on many things, such as:
- the type of drug
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
It may help to learn more about the drug you took.
After a challenging experience
In the days after a challenging experience, it is important to look after yourself. Try to get enough sleep and food. Avoid using drugs for a while.
You may have symptoms such as:
- tiredness or muscle aches
- anxiety
- low mood
- thoughts of suicide
- problems concentrating
It may help to talk to someone about your experience. This could be someone you trust or a listening service.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to a GP or mental health professional if:
- you find it hard to cope
- your mood does not improve or gets worse
Ask for an urgent appointment if you are in crisis.
Emergency action required: Phone 112 or 999 or go to an emergency department (ED) if you:
- feel you are going to harm yourself
If you go to an ED, it can help to bring someone with you.
Preventing challenging experiences
It's always safest not to use drugs.
There are always risks if you use drugs. Challenging experiences can happen at any time, even if you have used a drug before.
Before you decide to use a drug, think about:
- how you feel - for example, if you feel low, anxious or tired
- any health conditions or mental health difficulties that could increase your risks
- your tolerance, if you have not used in a while
- why you want to take the drug
If you decide to use a drug:
- start with a small test amount and wait 2 hours before you take more
- avoid mixing drugs or drinking alcohol when you take drugs
- have someone you trust with you
- know the signs of a drug emergency
- make a plan on what to do in case of an emergency
- stay in a calm and safe environment
Find out more about reducing risks of harm if you use drugs.