Safe partying

Wanting to go out and party is a normal rite of passage for most young people. 'Partying' could be a number of things including clubbing, going to a house party or going to a festival or concert.

It's good to think about how you can keep yourself and your friends safe when partying. There are a few simple things that you can do to have fun in a safe way, and to minimise potential negative impacts of partying.

What sorts of 'un-fun' things might happen at a party?

Parties are usually a lot of fun, however, sometimes things happen that aren't so fun and can be a threat to your safety.

Risks you might want to think about include:

• drink spiking
• inter-personal violence
• unsafe sex / sexual assault
• drug overdoses (including alcohol and other drugs)
• drink driving or driving with someone drunk.

There are steps you can take to minimise the chance of these kinds of things happening. For more information, read on.

Tips for keeping safe when partying

There are a number of things you can do when planning your day or night out to make sure you have fun safely.

Make a plan before you go

Before you go out partying it's a good idea to do a bit of planning, for example:

• decide where you're going
• what you're doing
• know your transport options and plan how you're going to get home (ie public transport, in car with designated driver, parents picking you up, taxi etc)
• how you can get help if you need it.

It might be a good idea if you're going out with others to stick together in a group and keep an eye on each other for the night.

Be aware of drink spiking

Drink spiking is when alcohol or other drugs are added to your drink without you knowing. This results in you becoming drunk or drug affected unexpectedly.

There are a number of drugs that might be used to spike your drink, including sedatives and GHB, which might make you dizzy, drowsy, and /or effect your memory. However, the most common substance used to spike drinks is usually extra alcohol.

It is a good idea to always buy your own drinks so you know what you're getting, and to keep an eye on your drink at all times while you're out. For more information check out the fact sheet on drink spiking.

Drink at a low-risk level (if you're drinking at all)

When you get drunk you are more likely to make dumb decisions, look silly in the eyes of others and do things that you will be embarrassed by later, and find it more difficult to do things you normally find easy.

You might also find yourself at an increased risk of being injured or assaulted. When you are drunk you can also experience mood and behaviour changes, for example, you might become more violent.

If you drink too much short-term effects can include: hangovers, nausea, shakiness, vomiting and memory loss.

Long-term effects can include: damage to the brain and liver, increased risk of heart problems and sexual problems (especially male impotency), and risk of emotional problems developing, such as depression, problems at school, work and with relationships. 

For more info check out the Low-risk drinking fact sheet.

Avoiding getting drunk

If you are going to drink alcohol, there are a number of things you can do to avoid getting drunk. These include:

• set limits for yourself and stick to them
• try having a 'spacer' - alternating non-alcoholic drinks with alcoholic drinks
• drink slowly - take sips not gulps
• eat before or while you are drinking
• avoid rounds or 'shouts'
• avoid drinking games.

If it is your first time drinking, be especially sure to drink slowly since you may not know your limits yet.

Before you go to bed it is a good idea to drink a couple of glasses of water.

For more info check out the fact sheets on alcohol and binge drinking.

Avoid getting into fights

Using alcohol increases the likelihood of acting in a violent way.

If you find yourself in a situation where someone else is trying to start a fight with you, possibly fuelled by alcohol and/or other drugs, it is important that you don't retaliate. Try to not aggravate the situation and back off before the fight starts.

If you are finding you are being violent while drinking or taking drugs you may want to look at ways to better manage your drug and alcohol intake. An Alcohol and Drug worker, a counsellor or youth worker may be able to help you do this. Check out the Who can help you section for more information on how they can help you.

For more info check out the Being Violent fact sheet or the fact sheet on Anger.

Safe sex

If you're drinking at a party, you might be less inhibited and be more likely to do things you wouldn't normally.

It's a good idea to think about what you're willing to do and how far you're willing to go before you go to the party, and how to be clear with people about this. You might even want to rehearse what you'll say to people beforehand so that you feel comfortable saying it when needed.

For more info check out the fact sheet on Taking care of your sexual health and Sexual assault.

What to do if someone passes out or needs urgent help

If someone needs help urgently immediately call '000' for an ambulance.

• stay with the party-goer
• lay them on their side
• check their airways are clear, their pulse, and breathing and wait for help.

If they are not breathing start CPR straight away. Don't worry if you don't know how, the ambulance will talk you through the steps when you phone 000.

Check out the St Johns Ambulance website for more information or to enrol in a first aid course with St Johns Ambulance or the Red Cross.

Is the party at your place?

If the party is being held at your place, there may be additional things to think about, including preventing gatecrashers from attending, working out house rules for the party and keeping neighbours happy.

Check out the Things to think about if you're having a party at your place fact sheet for more info.

What about other drugs?

Avoiding drug overdoses - A drug is a broad label given to any substance that changes the way your brain works. Different drugs have different effects. Illegal drugs can be particularly unpredictable, as they are not manufactured in a controlled way. Any time you take an illegal drug you cannot know whether it is stronger or weaker or the same as the last time you tried it which means you may be taking more than intended.

When experimenting at parties it is quite possible that you will be exposed to drugs.

If you plan to take drugs, it is a good idea to understand their effects before you take them. It is also important to know your source, know your body, and to know your state of mind at the time, as this may also have an impact on your experience.

You may want to check out the Australian Drug Foundation website for information about the effects of individual drugs.

If you are planning on taking drugs, it is a good idea to let someone know what you're taking, so that if something goes wrong they can help you more easily.

For more information check out the fact sheet about drugs.

Mixing alcohol + other drugs

Mixing different alcoholic drinks and drugs may increase the speed in which you become drunk and may mean you take more risks. The effect it has depends on the drugs and is unpredictable. It could have no effect, or it could be dangerous.

Mixing alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous. The effects of alcohol may be hidden by the effects of the stimulant which may cause you to feel less drunk than you really are. This may mean you take more risks, and put yourself in danger. For more information about what stimulants are check out the drugs fact sheet. 

Mixing alcohol with other depressant drugs like cannabis may be dangerous as both cause your body reactions to slow down and increase the likelihood of passing out or overdosing. Check out the drugs fact sheets for more information about depressants.

Keep safe

Partying can be safe and fun as long as you do a bit of planning and think about some of the potential risks or problems you might encounter, and work out strategies beforehand about how you're going to deal with them. Much more fun for you and your friends.

Let us know what you think. Do you have any other suggestions to make partying and having fun safer? Let us know in the comments section below.