Effects Of Common Club Drugs On Users
Club drugs have become the drugs of choice at night parties and the rave culture. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), club drugs usually involve multiple substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, and other club drugs. Drugs with alcohol have potential to cause serious intoxication and fatalities. Mixing club drugs are becoming popular for their intoxicating effects produced and the availability in low cost. The person, who wants to intoxicate or sedate others, uses these club drugs frequently.
Common Club Drugs and Their Effects on Users:
The most common club drugs are Ecstasy, Ketamine, Methamphetamine, Rohypnol, GHB, and LSD.
Ecstasy: Ecstasy makes the abuser feel overheating and dehydration occurs due to the increased body temperature. Ecstasy produces brain stimulation with high hallucinogens and psychedelic effects. Few people can have idiosyncratic reactions like insomnia, depression, and severe anxiety for long periods. Side effects of Ecstasy include panic syncope, seizures, coma, attacks, chills, muscle cramps, diaphoresis, and blurred vision. Ecstasy sometimes causes deaths, especially when the drug is combined with alcohol or other club drugs.
Ketamine: Ketamine has an ability to block the sensory perceptions like anesthesia. Users feel hallucination and dream like state. This drug causes increase in blood pressure and has negative effects on respiratory system, heart racing, paranoia, and egocentrism. Regular use of Ketamine often leads to mental confusion, impaired learning, and loss of memory.
Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine, also known as speed, crystal, or crank, is a synthetic stimulant that causes hallucinations of grandeur, hyperexcitation, irritability, anxiety, and panic. Users feel alert, confident, and energetic and lose their appetite and ability to sleep. It has a great potential to be an addictive. Methamphetamine can also cause irreversible damage to the heart, kidney, lung, and liver.
Rohypnol: Rohypnol or Rophies, belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs and acts like a sedative. It is also an addictive drug. When combined with alcohol, it is known to cause mental confusion and lethargy. Dizziness, drowsiness, and mental slowing lethargy can result with the use of rohypnol.
GHB: Gamma Hydroxybutyrate, once ingested, the drug rapidly takes effect and the sedative effects can last up to 4-6 hours. It can lead to increased lethargy, coma, and even death. Breathing difficulties, prolonged loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, and even death has been reported with the drug. GHB is a central nervous system depressant.
LSD: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide effects depend on the amount taken, the user's personality, mood, and expectations and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Physical effects can include dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, higher body temperature, sweating, sleeplessness, tremors, loss of appetite, and dry mouth. Overdose can cause psychotic ideations, dramatic visual flashbacks, and delusions of grandeur.
Majority of the Club Drugs using at all night dance parties are illegal drugs. Almost all of them have the potential to cause serious health problems and death is always a concern. The drugs have the potential to cause addiction with serious consequences. Misuse of the drugs on others is also a major concern. It is very important to educate young people and their parents and guardians about the risks associated with club drug use.
