Club Drugs : FraternityMed.com

"Why do people take these drugs?"
These medications are ingested to enhance sociability and are usually found at parties when users wish to lose their inhibitions. The effects are potentiated (made more powerful) by alcohol.

"What can you tell me about Ecstacy/MDMA?"
MDMA was developed in 1914 as an appetite suppressant according to the American Family Physician (vol.69, no.11,June 2004, pp.2619). In 1985 it was classified as a Schedule 1 drug which means that it cannot be prescribed by a physician for any medical reason and has no medical use. It is a drug which is thought to increase the release of several neurotransmitters and inhibit others. The onset is usually within 30-60 minutes and lasts for several hours.

"What is the worse side effect of Ecstasy?"
Hyperthermia (raising the body core temperature) is a result of neurochemical breakdown. This results in a flood of byproducts in the body which can produce liver and kidney failure as well as respiratory distress syndrome.

"Will you still feel the side effects a day later?"
Users of Ecstasy report depression and social withdrawl even two days after ingesting the drug. Repeated use of the medication can result in permanent depression and memory or cognitive function.

"Why do Ecstasy users suck on pacifiers and lollipops?"
One of the unpleasant side effects of the drug is tension in the jaw and this can cause a user to grind their teeth. Having something to suck on such as a pacifier helps ease this.

"What can you tell me about GHB?"
This drug was first made in 1960 and was found several years later to cause depression and uncontrolled body movement. This drug, like Ecstasy is a Schedule 1 drug and has no practical medical use for the treatment of patients.

"How is GHB a 'date rape' drug?"
GHB is sometimes slipped into alcohol and the onset of action is 15-30 minutes after drinking the mixture. The person ingesting the drug becomes euphoric and hypotonic (loss of muscle tone) as well as amnesic (loss of memory). Overdose is common since this drug is usually manufactured and not bought from a pharmacy source. The person under the influence of this drug is able to be more easily victimized. For this reason, at parties, each person needs to be responsible for their own drink so that no one will inadvertently slip this into the alcohol.

"What can you tell me about Rohypnol?"
This drug is a benzodiazepine, in the same family as Valium and several other drugs but is potentially many times more potent. Effects occur about 30 minutes after ingestion and peak at 2 hours but can last for up to 12 hours and can cause amnesia as well as other serious side effects.

"What can you tell me about ketamine?"
This is a derivative of PCP (phencyclidine) and was created in the 1960's as an anesthetic which does not cause respiratory depression. This drug is very difficult to manufacture outside of a pharmaceutical source and supplies generally come from veterinary clinics. It can be snorted or smoked.

"Why is ketamine a 'date rape' drug?"
The onset of action is approximately 30 minutes and there is a sensation of being out of one's body. Hallucination is common as is amnesia and delirium which puts the user at a disadvantage if an attacker means the person harm and the drug can cloud the specifics when trying to recall a personal attack.

"How can I find out more about club drugs?"
  ClubDrugs.org
  DrugAbuse.com
  DrugDigest.org
  DrugID.org
  Erowid.org
  StreetDrugs.org

"What are the antidotes to club drugs?"
There are no specific antidotes to any of the drugs except Rohypnol which has the antidote, flumazenil. Supportive care in a monitored environment such as an Emergency Department and time are usually sufficient for safe recovery.

"Can these drugs be detected in urine testing?"
Yes, they must be requested by a physician in an Emergency Department and the length of time the drug may be detected is variable.

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