This is the most common and most dangerous type. Depressant drugs slow the body down. Too much can stop breathing.

Includes:
• Heroin
• Methadone
• Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids
• Benzodiazepines (diazepam, pregabalin, gabapentin, alprazolam)
• Alcohol
• Strong pain medication

Signs:
• Slow or stopped breathing
• Pale or blue lips or fingertips
• Gurgling or choking sounds
• Unresponsive, difficult to wake
• Limp body
• Pinpoint pupils (with opioids)

High-risk situations:
• After a period of not using (prison release, detox, hospital stay)
• Using alone
• Mixing opioids with alcohol or benzos
• Street benzos of unknown strength
• Using stronger supplies due to changes in the drug market

Stimulants speed the body up. Too much can cause heart problems, overheating, panic, and seizures.

Includes:
• Cocaine
• Crack cocaine
• Amphetamine
• Methamphetamine
• MDMA
• Synthetic stimulants

Signs:
• Chest pain or palpitations
• Fast heart rate
• Severe agitation or panic
• High temperature and sweating
• Seizures
• Severe headache
• Confusion or hallucinations

High-risk situations:
• Hot environments (clubs, festivals)
• Using repeatedly in long sessions
• Using large amounts quickly
• Mixing with alcohol
• Unknown strength powders or pills

Very common, especially when mixed with other depressants.

Signs:
• Vomiting repeatedly
• Slow breathing
• Unconscious or hard to wake
• Cold or clammy skin
• Confusion
• Low body temperature

High-risk situations:
• Drinking quickly
• Mixing with opioids, benzos, or pregabalin
• Drinking on an empty stomach
• Loss of tolerance after a break

Mixing drugs is one of the biggest causes of overdose. Substances interact in unpredictable ways, especially depressants.

Dangerous combinations:
• Heroin and alcohol
• Heroin and benzos
• Methadone and alcohol
• Alcohol and pregabalin or gabapentin
• Cocaine and alcohol
• MDMA and alcohol
• Benzo “street pills” with anything else

Even medications prescribed by a doctor can be risky if taken incorrectly, taken with other substances, or taken in higher doses than intended.

Includes:
• Painkillers (opioids, tramadol, oxycodone)
• Sleeping tablets
• Benzodiazepines
• Pregabalin and gabapentin
• Antidepressants (risk increases when combined with alcohol or other substances)

Signs:
• Extreme drowsiness
• Confusion
• Slow breathing
• Loss of coordination
• Fitting or seizures (depending on the medication)

You can never make drug use completely safe, but you can reduce harm by making small changes.

• Avoid using alone
Most fatal overdoses happen when no one is there to help.

• Start low and go slow
Street drugs vary in strength, even between batches.

• Test before you use
We offer free testing strips for drugs that may contain opioids or other unexpected substances.

• Avoid mixing drugs
Especially depressants.

• Carry naloxone if you use opioids or mix drugs
Family and friends can carry it too.

• Take extra care after a break
Tolerance drops quickly.

• Keep hydrated and look after your body
Especially with stimulants.

• Store medication safely
Only take what you are prescribed.

• Struggling to breathe
• Turning blue or grey
• Severe agitation or confusion
• Collapsing
• Seizures
• Not waking up
• Making gurgling or choking sounds
• Being unresponsive after using any substance

If you see any of these signs, call 999.