Drugs and diabetes

We would strongly discourage the use of any illegal drugs as there are significant potential health implications. 

If you do decide to go ahead then the best ground rules for taking drugs when you have diabetes is to make sure you don’t miss any insulin injections, that you stay hydrated, that you test your blood glucose regularly and keep your initial doses low so that you can see any changes early on. 

Remember that you probably won’t be aware of your hypo warning signs. Always carry fast-acting carbohydrates such as dextrosol or jelly sweets in case your blood glucose gets too low. 

You should make sure you eat before you go out, ideally including plenty of slow-release carbs – particularly if you’re planning on taking any stimulants – and avoid eating overly sugary or carb-loaded foods. You should also be sure to test your blood glucose before you go to sleep and when you wake up, as drugs can continue to affect you for more than 24 hours after you’ve taken them. 

Make sure you carry ID to make clear you have diabetes and ensure it has your address and emergency contact details on it. While you may think nothing bad is going to happen, there are so many things that can go wrong, so play it safe.

If you have any particular concerns, it is a good idea to talk to your diabetes care team or a specialist healthcare professional to see if they can offer any advice. 

Remember: any decisions about taking drugs should be made armed with as much information as possible. Don’t let anyone pressure you into taking anything you’re not comfortable with – and definitely don’t take anything if you don’t know what it is and what it will do. 

If you want to find out more,  FRANK  provides lots of information about drugs, as well as running free helplines and chats that can address anything you want to talk about.