Barwon Health reveals ‘serious’ GHB complications following Geelong incidents

A string of people have presented to Geelong hospital with “serious complications” from GHB including deep unconsciousness and cardiac effects. Here’s what we know about the worrying trend.

Belinda Hibble is the director of Barwon Health's emergency department.

Barwon Health has recently seen “several clusters” of patients presenting with serious complications of GHB, as police continue to investigate alarming incidents linked to the drug across Geelong.

Belinda Hibble, director of emergency services at Barwon Health, said the presentations were outside the expected trajectory for people who used GHB recreationally.

“The recent cases appear to be causing deep unconsciousness, vomiting and serious cardiac effects,” she said.

“As a result, affected patients have been admitted to the intensive care unit.”

Three people, including a teenage girl, were found unconscious across Geelong in a period of several hours on May 31 and taken to hospital.

Police are investigating.

On Saturday, two men were found unresponsive in a car in Corio and were taken to hospital in critical condition.

Officers searched the car and uncovered an illicit substance, believed to be drugs, Victoria Police said. The investigation is continuing.

The day before, another drug affected person was admitted to Geelong hospital’s ICU.

All three are believed to have ingested GHB, or a variation of the drug, and had left hospital by Sunday.

A health department spokeswoman said there had been a number of recent cases in Victoria where people required emergency medical care after taking GHB, or substances commonly sold as GHB, such as GBL or 1,4-Butanediol.

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), sometimes known as “grievous bodily harm” and “liquid ecstasy”, is an illegal depressant that slows down heart rate and breathing.

It is often sold in small bottles or vials, and can be used as a party or “date rape” drug.

Side effects can include feelings of euphoria, increased sex drive, lowered inhibitions, drowsiness, tremors, nausea and diarrhoea.

Founder of Foundation 61 Rob Lytzki.

Most of the ice users in recovery at Geelong’s Foundation 61, which was about 90 per cent of clients, would have used GHB at some stage, founder Rob Lytzki said.

This could be due to experimentation or because they could not obtain ice, he said.

It is particularly dangerous to combine GHB-like substances with other depressants, such as alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or ketamine.

In Australia, it is more common to be sold GBL and 1,4-Butanediol, substances that break down into GHB in the body.

These substances are more potent than GHB and can lead to increased risk of overdose or other harm.

“GHB has a narrow dose range, meaning that even a small change in the dose might cause an overdose,” Dr Hibble said.

“Sometimes people take an extra dose as it can feel like GHB wears off quickly.

“However, as GHB remains in your system, taking an extra dose can increase the likelihood of an overdose.

“Overdosing on GHB even for short period can result in the brain not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to neurological damage.”

She said Barwon Health was participating in a study that will assist in providing near real-time monitoring of drug use in Victoria.

The health department spokeswoman said if you experience adverse drug effects, or are present when someone has an unexpected reaction, seek help immediately by calling triple-0.

Originally published as Barwon Health reveals ‘serious’ GHB complications following Geelong incidents