[Content warning: This episode contains discussions about drug and alcohol use. Substance use is nuanced with many contributing factors which cannot be fully covered in this episode.]

Join us for season 3 of It Can't Hurt To Ask to take a deep dive into your men's health questions and concerns.

This episode, we're tackling substance use—alcohol and drugs, including performance drugs.

You'll hear from our expert, Advance Peer Worker, Himalaya, who'll take us through some of the science and psychological factors behind drug and alcohol use, how and when to seek help, how drugs and alcohol impact the body, and the risks associated with all drug use, including performance drugs.

You'll also hear from Queensland man, Tim, about his own experiences as a young person drinking alcohol and being around friends using drugs, and from young Queenslander, Phoenix, who has a question about the risks of mixing alcohol and drugs.

For anyone who recreationally uses drugs or alcohol, is struggling with alcohol and other drug use, or is worried about family or friends, this episode is for you.

How do drugs and alcohol affect the body? Why do people use drugs and alcohol? How can I reduce my risk when taking drugs or drinking? Where can I get support for me or my family or friends? What risks are you taking when you use steroids? Listen to find out.

If you'd like to learn more about men's health, tune in to our brand-new season. Keep your ears open for our next episode.

Feel free to leave us a review too—we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Episode Resources: Adis

If you're concerned about your own or someone else's alcohol and other drugs use. Call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833. You can also visit their website for more information or to chat with a counsellor online.

If you or someone you know needs urgent help call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.

Signs to look out for

If you are worried about your drug use or concerned for someone you know, there are indicators to look out for which include spending large amounts of time getting, using or recovering from the effects, using in greater amounts, needing to use more to get the same effect, difficulty stopping or cutting back, cravings, withdrawal symptoms and experiencing problems in your social life.

Not sure? Take this quiz to see if your drug or alcohol use is risky.

Alcohol guidelines

Alcohol affects everyone in different ways and it’s important to know that drinking is never completely safe.

The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend:

1. healthy adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks in a week, and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day
2. people under 18, and women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding shouldn't drink any alcohol.

Alcohol

Is one more worth it? You could be cracking open a splitting headache, with a hangover leaving you feeling tired and irritable. Wouldn’t you rather a deep, restorative sleep leaving you firing on all cylinders tomorrow?

Cutting back has many benefits to your overall health. Learn more about how reducing your drinking will have you looking and feeling your best visiting the keep an eye on your drinking website.

Drugs

Understanding different drug types will help you to recognise the effects and potential harms. Drug types can be broken into three main categories: stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens. Learn more about the difference by visiting the Adis website.

Note: There is no safe level of alcohol or drug use and the use of any drug always carries some risk. Combining drugs also known as ‘poly-drug use’ increases the risk and can be extremely dangerous. The effects of mixing drugs can be unpredictable and people are more at risk of overdose, including death.