An Australian-first study from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney found that GHB-related deaths have increased 10-fold since 2013, while the number of hospitalisations more than tripled.
While rates of GHB use are relatively low compared to other illicit drugs such as MDMA, cocaine and methamphetamine, the proportion of Australians reportedly using GHB is rising. Australians aged 14 years and over reporting lifetime use increased 0.9% to 1.2% over the study period, while past 12-month use increased from 0.07% to 0.2%. There was also an increase in GHB-related deaths, rising from fewer than six deaths in 2012-13 to 52 deaths in 2021-22. Additionally, the authors also found worsening rates of non-fatal harms.
Researchers said their findings, published in Addiction, reinforce the need to improve prevention, treatment and harm reduction strategies for the drug also known as “G”, “juice” and “fantasy”.
At low doses, GHB’s effects include euphoria, increased libido and lowered inhibitions, while at higher doses it acts as a depressant, slowing down breathing and heart rate. The difference between a dose that produces euphoric or relaxing effects and one that causes loss of consciousness is small.
As part of the study, the team used coronial, treatment and hospital data, population surveys and interviews with people who use illicit drugs to triangulate trends in GHB use, harms and treatment between 2013 and 2023.
“These numbers are a cause for alarm. Without targeted action, the situation will only worsen, and more people will be harmed,” said Associate Professor Amy Peacock, who is Deputy Director of NDARC and senior author of the study.
A/Prof Peacock said harm reduction messages should focus on the dangers of taking multiple doses and mixing GHB with other substances, noting the drug’s relatively low overdose threshold and heightened risk of dependence.
View the full study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70308
Media release here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2026/02/rising-ghb-hospitalisations-deaths-across-nation-ndarc-study-shows
