Concerned about your own or
someone else’s drug use?

About the study

GHB harms are increasing in Australia, with a significant increase in people coming to the emergency department with GHB toxicity. However, no research has sought to understand how, why and where people who identify as heterosexual and cisgender or transgender use GHB. We are hoping you can help shed some light.

The GHB Cultures, Experiences and Practices Study is the first Australian study to specifically examine GHB use among heterosexual and cisgender or transgender people. This study will explore the varied ways that people use GHB, the benefits and harms associated with GHB use and strategies that heterosexual cisgender or transgender people use to prevent harms.

The knowledge generated by this study will be used to inform the delivery of harm-reduction resources and health and wellbeing programs. The National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs are leading this research in partnership with researchers from the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney and La Trobe University. 

This study has been approved by the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (REF:2021/ETH11824).

What does participation involve? 

Participating in the study involves participating in a one-on-one interview with a researcher, interviews will be:

• Confidential
• Approximately 60 minutes long
• Conducted either face to face or over video call

All participants will be reimbursed with a $50 grocery voucher.

There is more detailed information about what is involved in participation on this page and you will need to read this information and discuss it with a member of the study team before you decide to participate.

Who can participate?

This study will recruit people who meet the following criteria:

• have consumed GHB on three separate occasions within the previous 12 months, and;
• identify as cisgender or transgender male or female, and;
• identify as heterosexual, and;
• are able to speak English well enough to provide informed consent, and to take part in interview, and;
• are aged 18 or over.

Why participate?

By participating in this research, you are contributing to the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs by increasing the ability of health organisations to develop programs that respond to people’s experiences.

Express your interest

To express your interest in participation, please text or call our research team on 0447 982 933, email or fill out the form below and a researcher will get in contact with you. 

When expressing your interest all information that you share with us will be kept secure and anonymity will be preserved.

If you identify as LGBTQ and are interested in this research

Thank you for your interest in this study. A sister study with the same methods interviewing participants who identify as LGBTQ has recently been completed.  If you would like to learn more about this sister study please follow the link below:

LGBTQ Interview Study Information