Club Drugs: MDMA (Ecstasy), Gamma-Hydroxbutyrate (GHB), Rohypnol, and Ketamine
Club Drugs are substances commonly used at nightclubs, music festivals, raves, and dance parties to enhance social intimacy and sensory stimulation. The most widely used club drugs are, 3,4 – methlenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as ecstasy: gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB); flunitrazepam (Rohypnol); and ketamine (Ketalar). These drugs are popular because of their low cost and convenient disruption as small pills, powders, or liquids. Club drugs usually are taken orally and mat be taken in combination with each other, with alcohol, or with other drugs. Club drugs often are adulterated or misrepresented. Any club drug overdose should therefore be suspected as polydrug use with the actual substances and dose unknown. Persons who have adverse reactions to these club drugs are likely to consult a family physician. Toxicologic screening generally is not available for club drugs. The primary management is supportive care with symptomatic control of excess central nervous system stimulation or depression. Special care must be taken for immediate control of hyperthermia (to hot) Hypertension (high blood pressure) and other central nervous system reactions. Severe drug reactions can occur even with a small dose and may require critical care, Club drug overdoses usually resolves with full recovery within seven hours, depending on the severity of reactions. Education of the student and family is essential.
(Am Fam Physician 2004,69:2619-26,2627. Copyright@2004 American Academy of Family Physicians.)
SHORT TERM RISKS:
Ø UNWANTED EFFECTS: May get the feelings you’re after – euphoria or vivid and pleasant hallucinations. But may also feel anxious, confused, panicky or enraged.
Ø FEELING SICK: Effects may include nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and loss of muscle control.
Ø DANGERGOUS PHYSICAL CHANGES: Club drugs can cause dangerous changes in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and consciousness. This usually happens when the dose is too high. People DON”T know how big a dose they are getting.
Ø SEXUAL ASSAULT: Some club drugs are linked to a greater risk of sexual assault and date rape.
Ø HEATSTROKE: Some drugs increase body temperature. Some prevent sweating. Combined with dancing hard and a warm room filled with lots of bodies, this can lead to heatstroke.
LONG-TERM RISKS:
Ø FEELING “OUT OF IT”: Changes in memory, sleep patterns, mood and senses may persist for days after using a drug.
Ø PERMANTE DAMAGE: Some club drugs cause long-term or even irreversible changes in your perception, mood, memory, and thinking ability.
Ø EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS: Some club drugs can trigger or contribute to depression, anxiety disorder, paranoia and schizophrenia-like symptoms.
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