sexual health info

Alcohol and drugs

Alcohol and drugs are relevant to sex because they affect the decisions you make and might increase your risk of getting a sexually transmissible infection (STI) or blood borne virus (BBV) or having an unplanned pregnancy. Research tells us that if you have a few too many drinks or are high you're:

• more likely to get injured
• more likely to have sex you wouldn't normally have
• less likely to protect yourself from becoming pregnant or getting STIs/BBVs by using condoms.

If you use injections to take drugs, you increase your risk of getting a BBV even more. This is because if you ever share a needle, another person's blood can get into your blood and infect you with HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.

Safety tips

If you decide to drink alcohol or take drugs, you should take some steps to look after yourself. We recommend you:   

1. Stick to the guidelines for safe alcohol use

• In Australia, health authorities recommend the following:

- People under 18 should delay drinking for as long as possible.
- People over 18 shouldn't drink more than two standard drinks a day and no more than four in any one day.

• Slow your drinking right down and stick to this level by alternating soft drinks or water with alcohol.
• Always keep your drink in your own hand to avoid drink spiking.

2. If you inject drugs, protect yourself from infection by:

• getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B (you can do this at one of our clinics for free)
• using a clean fit every time and never sharing needles or equipment, even with your closest friends
• disposing of your needles safely to prevent others from being infected (don't put them in the bin or down the toilet). To find out where to get clean fits and dispose of old ones, call DirectLine on T/ 1800 888 236.

3. Make sure you know the rules about sex

• When it comes to sex, only 'yes' means yes.
• If you or the person you want to have sex with are too affected by alcohol or drugs to know what you're doing or to use a condom for protection, don't do it.

4. Take care of yourself and your friends

• Always go out with a friend and agree to look after each other. Make sure that you stay with each other and both get home safely.
• If you're feeling at all unsafe, leave and go to a safe situation. 

Help if you need it

• For any emergency, call Ambulance Victoria or Victoria Police on T/ 000.
• For drug and alcohol information, call DirectLine on T/ 1800 888 236.
• For access to emergency contraception, see a doctor or chemist as soon as possible or come to one of our clinics.
• If you think you might have a problem with alcohol or drugs, talk to someone you trust like a friend, your doctor or a counsellor.
• If you'd like a referral for drug or alcohol counselling, call DirectLine on T/1800 888 236.
• If you want to know more about how alcohol works or the laws in Victoria, see Drugs & Alcohol in Victoria.
• If you do share a needle, you might need treatment to prevent being infected with HIV. More information is available on the Victorian AIDS Council's website.
• If you're concerned about Hepatitis C, see Hepatitis C Victoria's website.
• To avoid getting into trouble with the law or for help if you do, see Victoria Legal Aid's website.