Club Drugs

Club drugs have become mainstream for young adults and teens, especially in the rave and club scene, where all night dance parties and club drugs (also known as designer drugs) can be commonplace. MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Ketamine, Rohypnol (Roofies), Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth), and LSD are club drugs. When people are taking club drugs intentionally they sometimes will take them in combination with other club drugs or alcohol to increase their effects.  Club drugs also can be taken in succession, as one high wears off the user takes or "bumps" to a new type of club drug.

Health Hazards of Club Drugs

One danger is the little amount of knowledge regarding the consistency of club drugs and how they are manufactured.  GHB, for example, is constructed from household cleaning agents.  Ecstasy, especially in the scene for club drugs, often does not contain MDMA, but rather, unknown substances. Club drugs are deemed as fun party drugs, yet are comprised of several different dangerous substances and can cause various hazardous effects, including hallucinations, blackouts and hyperthermia…

• MDMA for example, can cause hyperthermia, or heat stroke, which is compounded by the rave setting.  Alternatively, X can trigger extreme thirst, causing the user to drink too much water, leaving the body with low levels of salt, a condition called hyponatremia.
• Another dangerous form of club drugs is Ketamine, also known as Special K and Cat Valium.  This drug has similar effects as found in PCP, such as hallucinations, and can cause fatal respiratory depression.

Club Drugs and Sexual Assault

Another serious danger related to club drugs is their association with sexual assault.  Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), also known as Grievous Bodily Harm or G, can be produced in a clear liquid or white powder form.  GHB has a sedating effect, as does Rohypnol or Roofies.  This particular characteristic of club drugs comes from benzodiazepines.  It is tasteless and odorless, and causes an amnesia-like effect.  Both of these club drugs have been referred to as "date rape" drugs because they can be easily slipped into an unsuspecting individual's drink and it is undetectable by taste or smell making it extremely dangerous for potential victims.

Lakeview Health Systems is here to help you recover from a problem with club drugs.  We offer detoxification, drug rehabilitation and family recovery programs.  Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-884-1727. All calls are toll-free and completely confidential.