Our resource hub is home to a wealth of articles, stories and videos about managing and living with type 1 diabetes.
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Our researchers are working on different ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes - from growing insulin-producing beta cells in labs to hacking the immune system.
Learn about the technologies that can deliver insulin automatically when needed. And discover the next generation of insulins that are currently being developed.
You could win a cash prize of up to £25,000 when you play the Breakthrough T1D lottery. As well as the chance to win great prizes, you’ll also help fund our research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Join us on Tuesday 4 June for an exclusive drinks reception and panel event featuring some of the UK’s top former and current sports professionals living with type 1 diabetes.
Find out about the latest progress in type 1 diabetes research, learn more about our ongoing partnerships or see what our celebrity ambassadors are up to.
Join the type 1 diabetes community and come together, raising awareness and vital funds for T1D. Every pound raised directly supports us to fund our life-changing research.
We provide a wealth of information and free resources to help you support and empower your patients or students.
Take our free course for schools to learn more about supporting pupils with type 1 diabetes in educational settings.
JDRF has now rebranded to Breakthrough T1D. Our name has changed, our mission has not.
Home > Knowledge & support > Living with type 1 diabetes > Everyday life > Recreational drugs
We don’t yet know how insulin interacts with recreational drugs. However, using any drug outside of medical supervision carries risk for anyone, but if you have type 1 diabetes it may affect your ability to check blood glucose levels, take your insulin or spot a hypo.
Different drugs also affect your glucose tolerance and how you move and eat, which in turn affect your blood glucose levels.
Drug misuse can also affect your mental health, making it harder to manage your type 1.
Different drugs have different effects on the body and, even if you take the same drug as someone else, it might affect you differently.
Find out more about the effect of different drugs on the Talk to Frank website.
Some drugs also have ‘come-downs’, a period of time after you take drugs when you experience a low mood. This can impact your motivation to look after your type 1, so it’s best avoided.
If you are taking recreational drugs, you can speak to your Diabetes Healthcare Team for confidential and non-judgemental support and advice.
If you’re struggling with your relationship with drugs, visit Talk to Frank for information and support.
For more information visit our university toolkit pages.
Apps can help you manage type 1 diabetes, from logging your insulin doses, glucose levels and the food you eat, to helping you count carbs and order prescriptions.
Information about insulin and the different ways to get it into your body, plus the different devices that can help you monitor your blood glucose levels.
Get information and support about managing type 1 diabetes at university.
If you have type 1 there are a few things you will need to be aware of when you eat and drink, but that needn’t stop you enjoying delicious and nutritious food.
Find information about different types of jobs, how to manage your type 1 at work and the laws in place to protect you from discrimination.
Whether you’re walking the dog, ballet dancing or training for a marathon, learn how to manage your glucose levels and insulin intake for exercising.
Travelling with type 1 diabetes can be challenging, but with a bit of planning and tips from us there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy adventuring at home and abroad.
You can still drive if you have type 1 diabetes, but there are some extra steps you need to take to be legal and safe on the road.
Different types of alcohol can affect your blood glucose in different ways. Get tips and advice to stay safe with alcohol.
When you have type 1 diabetes, smoking can make it harder to manage your blood glucose levels and increase your risk of complications.
If you’re moving to the UK, understanding a new health system as well as everything else that comes with moving to a new country is a challenge.
