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Frequently Asked Questions

For young people

How do I connect with YSAS? Can I make a self referral?

Most YSAS sites and services accept self-referrals. That means you can call and get yourself connected over the phone. Alternatively someone else can call on your behalf like a friend or family member.

If you need support and have been connected to YSAS in the past, and need Detox or Rehabilitation please contact our Centralised Intake team by emailing resiintake@ysas.org.au or calling them:

If you need support and are new to YSAS and seeking a referral please contact our Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service

For general enquiries and guidance or to know more about our programs and service please contact:

YSAS Head Office Reception on: reception@ysas.org.au or 9415 8881

How do I know I need support with my drug or alcohol use?

Working out whether your drug or alcohol use is under control or whether you have a problem is not always simple.

For a lot of people who develop a problem, it creeps up on them slowly without them noticing.

These are some questions you can ask yourself to help figure out whether drugs or alcohol are becoming a problem for you.

  • Do you feel like you don’t have as much control over your use as you would like?
  • Is your drug use is affecting work or school?
  • Are you staying away from friends who don’t use drugs?
  • Are there some issues with your parents because of your use?
  • Are you having to do things you wouldn’t normally choose to do so just so that you can use?
  • Are you experiencing harms because of your drug use?
  • Are you putting drug use ahead of other activities?
  • Has your drug use stopped being fun?

Ask yourself these questions to help understand your use. If you answer YES that could be a sign that you are dependent on substances.

  • Are you spending most of your time with other people who use drugs, and less time with those who don’t?
  • Are you being dishonest with the people close to you about how often you use drugs, what kind of drugs you’re using and in what quantities?
  • Are you spending money you can’t afford or going to extremes to find money to buy drugs?
  • Are you using higher doses of the substance to feel affected?

If you are feeling worried about your drug or alcohol use and want to talk to someone contact the Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service

How do I know which site or service is best for me?

We offer a wide range of services and programs, we know it can be a little confusing. When you connect with YSAS a worker will help work out what your goals and needs are and from there they will be able to connect you with the service that’s right for you.

How long will I be at a detox/withdrawal unit for?

Our detox and withdrawal sites are places young people can stay at while they detox or withdraw. The duration a young person stays at a withdrawal/detox unit varies.

The amount of time a young person can stay each admission is:

  • Geelong – up to 14 days
  • Fitzroy – up to 14 days
  • Birribi – up to 6 months
  • Bunjilwarra – up to  6months
How soon will I get better?

There is no rule around how long your journey to better health will be.

Everyone is different.

It really depends on your situation and your goals. It will usually take time to work through what’s behind your drug or alcohol use and there may be some ongoing challenges that you need help with too.

YSAS provides programs and services to support you through the different stages of the process. Taking it one day at a time is often the best approach.

If you are not sure what to do and want to talk to someone contact the Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice service

What is harm minimisation and how can I practise it?

When we talk about harm minimisation in relation to alcohol and other drug use, we are referring to how we can reduce the negative consequences and risks factors around it. Harm minimisation strategies include many different tactics for ensuring less harm is done and that you are safer. Examples include pill testing, drinking in a safe environment with people you trust or even just drinking water whilst you use. 

Harm minimisation strategies: 

  • Let someone know if you are not feeling well after using. 
  • Talk to a young person about having a person to call in case they are feeling worried, paranoid or start to panic. 
  • Call an ambulance if you are worried at any point about themselves or a friend. Remind them that an ambulance will not call the police. 
  • Try a small amount first, wait to see how the drug affects them before taking more.  
  • Try a small amount first, wait to see how the drug affects them before taking more.  
  • Never using alone. 
  • Take regular breaks from use to avoid dependency. 
  • Stay hydrated when using 
  • Think about the dangers of drinking and using drugs and driving or getting in a car with someone who has been drinking or taking drugs. 
  • Be in a safe and comfortable space. 
  • Make a plan prior to using, get them to plan to only use a certain amount, get them to make a “just in case” plan, and get them to plan how they are going to get home. 
What legal support can I access through YSAS?

YSAS provides a 2 key justice support programs for young people who ahv e recently come into contact with police.

They are:

  • Youth Support Service
  • Embedded Youth Outreach Program (EYOP)

Outside of these services YSAS workers can support you with paper work, connecting with external legal services and attending court dates.

Why do people use drugs and alcohol?

Figuring out why you use drugs is important for when you want to make changes, and so you can look after yourself. You probably use drugs for a reason, and even if your use is causing problems the reason for your use is likely valid and understandable.

Everyone has a different reason for using.

Here are some of the most common reasons people give for using drugs and/or alcohol:

  • To stop feeling bored
  • To help unwind and relax
  • To help sleep
  • To get motivated
  • To help with painful feelings – e.g. grief, anxiety, anger
  • To slow down racing thoughts
  • To fit in
  • To just feel good
  • To feel comfortable in social situations
  • To have interesting ideas and be creative
  • To relieve pain
  • So problems aren’t as much of a bother
  • To help with side effects from medication

It isn’t always obvious why you are using drugs or alcohol. In fact, It can be really useful to know why you are using certain drugs.

Understanding your own reasons will help you make better decisions about how and when you use, and can also help you make changes.

Drug and alcohol services and workers can help you explore why you use. They might ask questions like:

  • Are you always with the same people when you use?
  • Are you always feeling sad before you use and happy after?
  • Are you using more when you feel stressed or anxious?

If you are feeling worried about your drug or alcohol use and want to talk to someone contact the Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice service

How will YSAS support me?

YSAS will support you in many ways, we don’t just help you with your substance use. YSAS takes a holistic approach to AOD support so when you get connected with an YSAS Youth Worker will sit down with you and have a chat about what your needs and goals are.

You might come to us for support with you alcohol use but also need housing support – we can get you connected to the right services so that you have all the help you need in place to make sustainable changes.

Will I stop using drugs if I see a service?

Getting help from a service doesn’t mean you will definitely stop – but it does mean you will get support to understand your strengths and to make the changes you want to make.

There is no simple solution for stopping drug use. As well as services there are lots of things that help young people quit or control their use.

This includes: support from family, community and good friends; activities that keep you busy; somewhere safe to live; and stable emotional health.

If your goal is to cut down or stop using drugs then a service will work with you to achieve this. Because having a problem with drugs usually never develops on its own, a worker might help you deal with some of the other issues going on in your life as well as teach you skills to manage drugs.

Not everyone wants to quit – some people want a break from drugs or want to learn how to make their use safer. These are things that services will be happy to help you figure out. If you are not sure what to do and want to talk to someone.

How much is a safe amount to drink?

For both males and females 2 standard drinks per day is the recommended amount, with two alcohol free days a week. Also, if you are under 18 years the recommended amount is zero.

If alcohol makes you feel unhappy, unwell or impacts important things in your life, either during or after drinking, you may be drinking too much.

If you are feeling worried about your drug or alcohol use and want to talk to someone contact the Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice service

How do I lodge feedback or a complaint?

YSAS welcomes all types of feedback – compliments, suggestions for improvement or complaints. Lodge feedback or a complaint using this form here.

For parents & loved ones

How do I know if my young person needs support for their drug or alcohol use?

Working out whether your drug or alcohol use is under control or whether you have a problem is not always simple.

Drug and/or alcohol use is usually considered a problem when:

  • It has frequent negative impacts on a young person’s health and wellbeing.
  • A young person has less control over their substance use than they desire.
  • Substance uses gets in the way of important activities such as school, work and family life.

The following signs may indicate a problem is developing:

  • Changes in appetite or significant weight loss/gain.
  • Sudden or frequent changes in mood.
  • Fluctuating energy levels. Hyperactivity/agitation or lethargy and low mood.
  • Unusual smells on the young person or in the house. Many drugs have distinctive smells (especially if smoked).
  • Extensive efforts by a young person to cover up smells such as strong perfume etc.
  • Signs of intoxication-slurred speech, unstable on their feet.
  • Changes in school performance.
  • Financial problems or a need for money.

With every single one of these situations there can also be other reasons, apart from the emergence of a drug problem that could explain why they are occurring. Mental health concerns, relationship difficulties or even the normal ups and down of growing up may account for some of these.

Understanding these signs will help you pay attention to a young person and their wellbeing but they won’t diagnose a problem. Open and supportive communication remains the most important element in finding out what is going on for your loved one.

If you are feeling worried about a loved ones drug or alcohol use and want to talk to someone contact the Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service

How long will my young person be at a detox or withdraw site for?

Our detox and withdrawal sites are voluntary places young people can stay at while they detox or withdraw. The duration a young person stays at a withdrawal/detox unit varies.

The maximum amount of time a young person can stay each admission is:

  • Geelong – up to 14 days
  • Fitzroy – up to 14 days
  • Birribi – up to 6 months
  • Bunjilwarra – up to  6months
What additional support will my young person get?

YSAS offers a range of support for young people across alcohol and other drug, mental health and justice services. YSAS workers also help young people get connected with other services if they need them for example housing services.

How can I support a young person who is using drugs or alcohol?

Helping a young person deal with their drug and alcohol-related problems is about eliminating risk factors and building protective factors into a young person’s life. 

A good place to start is by: 

  • Facilitate open and honest communication
  • Minimise risks (i.e. know their friends or who they are with, ensure they can get to places safely etc.)
  • Promote help seeking (i.e. connecting them with services and programs) 
  • Connect and work with support services  
  • Teach the young person harm minimisation and safety tips. You can find some here.
  • Set effective limits and consequences.
Will they grow out of this?

Young people who try drugs or alcohol don’t usually go on to experience problems. For those who do, there are many different pathways into problems with drugs and many pathways out.

As young people grow and mature they can often learn life skills such as: problem solving, impulse control, and coping strategies, which help them to manage their drug and alcohol use. This doesn’t mean that a young person will always grow out of their problems.

Sometimes problematic substance prevents young people from developing important skills and coping strategies. Sometimes, even though a young person may use drugs to help them manage in the short term, the use itself causes more problems and a cycle develops.

Young people experiencing drug related problems need support and encouragement to make changes and move forward. They need supportive relationships, safe and stable environments, opportunities to participate in meaningful activity and to develop skills, knowledge and self-belief in order to have greater control over their own lives.

For professionals

How can I connect a client with YSAS?

You can make a referal on behalf of someone to YSAS.

If you or the person you are supporting have been connected to YSAS in the past, and need Detox or Rehabilitation please contact our Centralised Intake team by emailing resiintake@ysas.org.au or calling them:

If you are supporting someone new to YSAS and seeking a referral please contact our Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service

For general enquiries and guidance or to know more about our programs and service please contact:

YSAS Head Office Reception on: reception@ysas.org.au or 9415 8881

How can I work for YSAS?

YSAS is a large organisation spanning 19 sites across Victoria with over 400 employees. Find out what roles are vacant on our careers page.

Do you offer volunteer and/or student placements?

We encourage enquiries regarding volunteer/student placements to be made directly to your preferred YSAS site or program. It is best to give them a call.   Go to our Services and sites page for program and site information and contact details.

Our Human Resources team is not currently facilitating any volunteer and/or student placement requests through Head Office.

How can I learn more about youth AOD practice?