Use and harms of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) with Amy Peacock and Krista SiefriedUse and harms of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) with Amy Peacock and Krista Siefried
Addiction Audio
Researchers Amy Peacock and Krista Siefried talk with Elle Wadsworth about patterns of GHB use in Australia and the sharp rise in related harms. The conversation outlines who is most affected, what the data show about hospitalisations and deaths, and why better harm reduction, clinical guidance, and surveillance are needed.
23:18•12 Jun 2026
GHB in Australia: Rising Risks, Hidden Harms and What the Data Show
Episode Overview
- GHB use in the general Australian population remains low but has increased over the last decade, with far higher use among people who regularly use other illicit drugs and LGBTQ communities.
- GHB has a steep dose–response curve with no antidote, meaning small dosing errors can rapidly shift from euphoria to life-threatening respiratory depression and coma.
- National data show sharp rises in GHB-related hospitalisations, deaths and treatment episodes, while New South Wales data reveal many emergency presentations are at imminent risk of death.
- Police seizure data suggest a shift from GHB to 1,4-butanediol, raising extra concern about mixing with alcohol and people not knowing which substance they are taking.
- Clinicians, support services and peers need better awareness, harm reduction messaging, and clearer guidelines for managing GHB toxicity, withdrawal and dependence, supported by robust surveillance and community-informed data.
“With a drug that doesn’t have an antidote and has this really steep dose response around going from a euphoric to a depressant drug, we do need to address the risks around that.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol and other drugs while still needing solid information about what’s out there? This conversation on gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) gives a clear, research-based snapshot of a drug that’s rare in the general population but causing serious harm in specific groups. Host Dr Elle Wadsworth chats with Dr Amy Peacock and Dr Krista Siefried from the University of New South Wales about their research on GHB use, harms, and treatment in Australia.
Amy explains what GHB is, how it’s used, and why it’s so risky: a clear liquid that can feel euphoric and social at low doses, but at higher doses can cause respiratory depression and coma.
As Krista puts it, “with a drug that doesn’t have an antidote and has this really steep dose response around going from a euphoric to a depressant drug, we do need to address the risks around that.” Amy walks through national trends from 2013–2024, showing that while recent GHB use remains under 0.2% in the general population, it has nearly tripled and is far more common among people who regularly use ecstasy, inject drugs, or identify as LGBTQ.
At the same time, GHB-related hospitalisations have nearly quadrupled and deaths have risen sharply. Krista zooms in on New South Wales, highlighting that more than half of emergency department presentations were classed as imminent risk to life, and that harms are spreading from inner-city Sydney into regional areas, with increasing presentations among women and younger people. She also flags a shift in police seizure data from GHB to 1,4-butanediol, adding extra concern around mixing with alcohol.
For anyone in recovery, working in treatment, or just trying to make sense of emerging drug trends, this episode offers clear harm reduction messages, practical clinical considerations, and a reminder of how vital good data and community voices are. What might these findings mean for how you talk about GHB risks with others?
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