It’s always safest not to take drugs.
It can be hard to know if a drug you buy as G contains GHB, GBL or BD. The strength and time it takes for effects to start can vary between these chemicals.
It is very easy to overdose on G. G is very strong in small amounts. The difference between an amount that causes mild effects and a dangerous amount is less than 1 millilitre.
Ways to reduce risks from G
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm from G. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, if you have:
- high or low blood pressure
- epilepsy or a history of seizures (fits)
- problems with your heart
- breathing problems
- depression or panic attacks
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust and look out for each other - do not use alone.
Pick a meeting point and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Use a buddy system if possible.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Only take with you what you intend to use.
This is to reduce the risk of taking too much in 1 session.
Some drugs cause a strong urge to take more. You may also lose track of what you take. If you take too much too soon, your body cannot cope.
Start with the lowest dose and measure your own dose carefully.
Measure your own doses with an eye dropper, syringe or pipette with millilitre markings.
Other people may have a different tolerance to you. If someone else prepares your dose, you cannot control the amount you take.
Do not use teaspoons, containers or caps to measure what you take.
Use a lower dose if you take medicines to prevent or treat HIV.
This is to reduce the risk of going under. Some HIV medicines may make the effects of G more risky. G may also stay in your system for longer.
Wait at least 4 hours before you decide to take more.
Taking more too soon increases the risk of going under or overdose. If you decide to redose, use a lower dose.
Mix the G with water or a soft drink.
Drinking G on its own can burn your throat. Mix G with water or a non-alcoholic drink. Mixing G with alcohol is extremely dangerous.
Do not drink from the G bottle.
Do not snort or inject G.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using G with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Label the bottle and add a drop of food colouring.
This is so you can tell it apart from other liquids.
If you keep G in your home, do not leave it where other people could take it by mistake. Keep G in a locked cupboard if possible.
Carry a G card or write G on your wrist.
This can help medics give you the right treatment in an emergency.
Keep track of what you use.
To keep track of what you use each session, you could:
- set an alarm
- note the time you use - for example, take a screenshot on your phone
Track your tolerance. Keep a G diary to note how much you take and when.
If you use G for more than 2 days in a row, you risk tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.
Think about your sexual health.
G can reduce your inhibitions and increase your sex drive.
There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing G with alcohol or other drugs
Do not mix G with alcohol or other drugs that slow down messages between your brain and body.
For example:
It increases the risk of overdose or death.
But taking G with any drug increases your risk. This is because other drugs can make it harder for you to remember your last dose or to measure G.
Mixing drugs can also increase the negative effects of G such as paranoia or aggression. There is no antidote to G or a way to reverse the effects.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken G and:
- loses consciousness (goes under)
- is very confused or agitated
- has a seizure (fit)
- has a high temperature
- hallucinates
- has problems breathing
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
G and sexual assault
Sexual assault is any sexual act that you did not consent to, or are forced into against your will. This includes rape.
If you are affected by drugs or alcohol, you may not be able to give consent to sex. This includes if you take G or someone gives you G without you knowing (spiking).
If you have been sexually assaulted, it was not your fault.
Sexual assault is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens.
You do not have to report the assault to the gardaí if you do not want to. Sexual assault treatment units (SATUs) can store forensic samples for up to 1 year. This can give you time to think about what happened and if you want to report the assault.
If you are worried about G use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when G use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie