When and where do I get help?

A number of services throughout Australia can provide information, support and treatment options for people who are experiencing problems with ice and other drugs. Although it can be difficult to seek help, in most cases the sooner you reach out for support, the better.

Your local doctor can be a good starting point – they can discuss your concerns with you and provide referrals to other services that you might need. For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, you can also call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

If you need emergency support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (a free and confidential 24-hour crisis helpline) or dial '000' for the police or an ambulance.

COVID-19 Information

Since early 2020, Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted the availability of services in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector across Australia. Residential rehabilitation centres and face-to-face treatment options may be limited; however, innovative digital and telephone support options are available.

During this time, Cracks in the Ice will continue to provide evidence-based information and resources about ice including links to online support programs (e.g. Family and Friends Support Program, Online support program for people who use iceBreaking the Ice, opens in a new window). For more information about support options available in your state/territory call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

Telehealth consultations have become an increasingly accessible option for Alcohol and Other Drug treatment. Read more about Telehealth and its uses.

Do I need help?

Click here to get feedback about your use of ice

Key support services in Australia

A variety of free and confidential telephone and online support services are available for people experiencing problems with crystal ('ice'), as well as their family and friends.

National Alcohol and Other Drug Support Services

NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG HOTLINE

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. It will automatically direct you to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in your state or territory. These local alcohol and other drug telephone services offer support, information, counselling and referral to services.

Ph: 1800 250 015

LIFELINE

Crisis telephone support. Open 24 hours. Also provides one-on-one online chat support.

Ph: 13 11 14 | Web: (Lifeline website, opens in a new window)lifeline.org.au

COUNSELLING ONLINE

Free and confidential counselling for people using drugs, their families and friends.

Web: (Counselling Online website, opens in a new window)counsellingonline.org.au

State and Territory Telephone Services
Free telephone services are available in all Australian states and territories for anyone seeking help for their own or another person’s use of alcohol or other drugs (such as ice). These services provide free, confidential and non-judgemental telephone counselling, information and referrals to services.

There are also free telephone services in some Australian states and territories that provide information and referrals specifically for ice use.

All services listed are available to callers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except ADIS SA which is available 8.30 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week).

Click on your state or territory in the map shown below to find out what options are available in your area.

Mental Health Services

LIFELINE

Crisis telephone support. Open 24 hours. Also provides one-on-one online chat support.

Ph: 13 11 14 | Web: (Lifeline website, opens in a new window)lifeline.org.au

BEYOND BLUE

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Ph: 1300 22 4636 | Web: (Beyond Blue website, opens in a new window)beyondblue.org.au

HEADSPACE

headspace helps young people aged 12-25 years who are going through a tough time.

Web: (Headspace website, opens in a new window)headspace.org.au

headspace centres are located across Australia and help you to access the right type of health worker for your needs.

Web: (Headspace centres directory, opens in a new window)headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/

eheadspace provides online and telephone support for young people and their families

Web: (eHeadspace online support options, opens in a new window)headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

HEAD TO HEALTH

Head to Health provides links to trusted Australian online and phone supports, resources and treatment options for people trying to improve their own mental health, or support somebody else with mental health issues.

Web: (Head to health website, opens in a new window)headtohealth.gov.au

KIDS HELPLINE

Free and confidential online and telephone counselling service for people aged 5-25 years. Open 24 hours.

Ph: 1800 55 1800 | Web: (Kids Helpline website, opens in a new window)kidshelpline.com.au

SANE AUSTRALIA

SANE Australia is a national mental health charity working to support Australians affected by complex mental illness. SANE’s work includes mental health awareness, online peer support and information, stigma reduction, specialist helpline support, research and advocacy.

Ph: 1800 18 7263 | Web: (Sane Australia website, opens in a new window)sane.org

Support for Family and Friends

FAMILY DRUG SUPPORT
24-hour support for relatives and friends affected by alcohol and other drugs.

Ph: 1300 368 186 | Web: (Family Drug Support website)www.fds.org.au

FAMILY DRUG HELPLINE
Confidential telephone helpline and web-based information services run by Self Help Addiction Research Centre (SHARC).

Ph: 1300 660 068 | Web: (Family Drug Helpline website)www.sharc.org.au

NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC FAMILY VIOLENCE COUNSELLING SERVICE
A confidential 24-hour support line providing support for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence.

Ph: 1800 737 732 | Web: (National Sexual Assault & Domestic Family Violence counselling referral service website)www.1800respect.org.au

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
If you have friend or family member who you think might be experiencing problems with ice, please visit the Families and Friends section for further information and resources.

Alcohol and Other Drug Information

ALCOHOL AND DRUG FOUNDATION - DRUGINFO
DrugInfo is a free and confidential phone and email service providing information on alcohol and other drugs. DrugInfo can provide advice on how to best support yourself or someone you're concerned about, including the contact details of counselling, treatment and support services. Available Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
Ph: 1300 85 85 84 | e: (Email Alcohol and Drug Foundation Drug Info, opens new email addressed to)druginfo@adf.org.au | Web: (Alcohol and Drug Foundation Drug Info website, opens in a new window)adf.org.au/druginfo

NATIONAL DRUGS CAMPAIGN
An Australian Government website that provides information about illicit drugs.
Web: (Australian Government National Drugs Campaign website, opens in a new window)campaigns.health.gov.au/drughelp

POSITIVE CHOICES
Positive Choices is an online portal to help school communities access accurate, up-to-date drug education resources and prevention programs.
Web: (Positive Choices website, opens in a new window)positivechoices.org.au

REACHOUT.COM
ReachOut.com has information about drugs, where to seek help, how to help a friend, and many other youth related issues.
Web: (Reach Out.com website, opens in a new window)au.reachout.com

Mental Health Information

BLACK DOG INSTITUTE
The Black Dog Institute is a translational research institute that aims to reduce the incidence of mental illness and the stigma around it, to actively reduce suicide rates and empower everyone to live the most mentally healthy lives possible.
Web: (The Black Dog Institute website, opens in a new window)blackdoginstitute.org.au

LIFE IN MIND
Life in Mind is an online portal that connects organisations and communities to the latest information, activities, resources and research about suicide prevention.
Web: (Life in Mind website, opens in a new window)lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/

#YOUCANTALK
#YouCanTalk is a joint national suicide prevention campaign aimed at giving people the confidence to respond to friends and family when they need help and guide them to the right support services.
Web: (# You Can Talk website, opens in a new window)lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/youcantalk

LGBTIQ+ Support Services

TOUCHBASE

Provides information about health and well-being, including information on drug use, for LGBTIQ+ Australians.

Web: (Touch Base website, opens in a new window)touchbase.org.au/alcohol-and-drugs

QLIFE HOTLINE

QLife provides peer support and referral services for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender and relationships.

Ph: 1800 184 527 | Web: https://qlife.org.au/

M3THOD

M3THOD is a free and confidential service that provides support for people who combine sex with drugs like crystal and GHB.

If you are looking for a space to chat to someone who understands the scene from personal lived experience, M3THOD is for you. The service is led by trained and non-judgemental peers who will help you explore your personal experience and options for reducing harms.

You can book an in-person appointment if you’re based in Sydney NSW or an online appointment if you’re based elsewhere in Australia.

Book a M3THOD appointment online or in-person:

Location: a[TEST] clinic, 167 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, 2010 10:00 – 18:00, Monday to Friday.

Web: https://endinghiv.org.au/toolkit/m3thod/