Club Drugs: Time to Stop the Party?

Many young people enjoy attending dance parties and clubs to socialize and have fun. But do you suspect that your loved one is taking the party a little too far by experimenting with substances?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that as many as 1.3% of 12th graders have tried ketamine and 4.5% of 12th graders have tried MDMA. In this article, we help you assess your loved one’s situation and learn about the dangers of using these substances. What are club drugs? Because of their relatively low cost, a number of substances have become popular in club scenes including raves, bars, trance concerts, and other events (Read The Rave Scene). Users believe that the substances enhance their experience of the event. Common club drugs include:

• MDMA (also known as Ecstasy)
• Ketamine
• Methamphetamine
• GHB (a Central Nervous System depressant)
• Rohypnol (a benzodiazepine)

What are the dangers of club drugs? Many users do not perceive club drugs to be dangerous because, unlike other illicit substances, club drugs are usually just swallowed instead of snorted or injected. But club drugs can pose significant health risks, especially if they are mixed with other drugs or alcohol. For example, MDMA use can lead to kidney failure, liver damage, stroke, seizures, and other complications. Likewise, methamphetamine use can cause heart attack, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, auditory hallucinations, and tooth decay. But in addition to the dangers of the substances themselves, there are other risks as well. Substances purchased at clubs are from unknown origins and may not be pure; in other words, they may contain other dangerous chemicals. Additionally, many club drugs decrease inhibitions and can lead to sexual risk-taking with anonymous partners (Read Meth: Causing an HIV Epidemic?). Moreover, ecstasy raises the user’s body temperature and can lead to dehydration, which can be exacerbated by hot club environments and sweating while dancing.

What are some signs that my loved one may be using club drugs?

MDMA:

• Dilated pupils
• Mood swings
• Muscle spasms

Ketamine:

• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Insomnia, short-term memory loss

Methamphetamine:

• Skipping meals, extreme weight loss
• Long periods without sleep
• Tooth decay

GHB:

• Amnesia
• Insomnia, tremors, sweating (during withdrawal)

Rohypnol:

• Memory problems
• Dizziness
• Problems with vision

Non-drug specific signs:

• Poor academic performance or lack of productivity at work
• Changes in behavior (new friends, moodiness, violence, etc.)
• Changes in appearance
• Avoiding social situations