Club Drugs

 
 

What Are Club Drugs?

Club drugs are a group of illegal substances commonly found at dance clubs, raves, and other party events. They are also known as party drugs, rave drugs and designer drugs that include GHB, ketamine, rohypnol, LSD, methamphetamine, and the number one club drug, ecstasy or MDMA.  

Nothing to Rave About

Different club drugs will have different effects on the body. Some of these drugs are classified as stimulants, while others are depressants. Although they are all different, they may have some common effects such as loss of muscle and motor control, blurred vision and seizures. Club drugs are often made in home labs, created by man-made chemicals. It is impossible to know exactly what chemicals are being used and how strong or potent each drug is. A combination of club drugs and alcohol can be even more dangerous. The effects of one drug can magnify the effects and risks of another, with the possibility of it becoming lethal.

How Do Club Drugs Affect the Body?

Different club drugs will have different effects on the body.

Ecstasy

  • Distortions of perceptions, particularly light, music and touch

  • Artificial feelings of empathy and emotional warmth

  • Euphoria

  • Increased body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate

  • Threat of dehydration

  • Increased energy

  • Lack of appetite

  • Lack of fatigue when it would be normal

  • Jaw clenching and teeth grinding

  • Chills

  • Muscle cramping

  • Muscle tension, teeth clenching, nausea

GHB

  • Euphoria

  • Sedation

  • Confusion and amnesia

  • Dizziness

  • Hallucinations

  • Lowered inhibitions

  • Involuntary eye movement

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Seizures

  • Tremors

  • Low body temperature

  • Fatal respiratory problems

  • Coma

  • Liver failure

  • Death

Ketamine

  • Distortion of sight and sound

  • Feelings of detachment from the environment and oneself

  • Illusions/hallucinations

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Slowed breathing

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion and amnesia

  • Slurred speech

  • Sedation

  • Numbness

  • Weakness

  • Visual problems

  • Muscle rigidity

  • Aggressive behavior

  • Loss of coordination

  • Rapid heart rate

Rohypnol

  • Confusion and amnesia

  • Drowsiness

  • Lower blood pressure

  • Dizziness

  • Upset stomach

  • Visual disturbances

  • Inability to fight off a rapist

  • Headaches

  • Nightmares

  • Muscle relaxation

  • Tremors

  • Loss of social restraints

LSD

  • Increased body temperature

  • Increased heart rate

  • Dry mouth

  • Shakiness

  • Sweating

  • Numbness

  • Weakness

  • Nausea

  • Panic

  • Terror

  • Despair

  • Swift emotional changes

  • Hallucinations/delusions

Methamphetamine

  • Deterioration of appearance

  • Irregular or rapid heartbeat

  • Erratic, changeable moods

  • Aggressive behavior

  • Paranoia that can become severe

  • Confusion

  • Insomnia

  • Damage to teeth

  • Rough skin with sores

Learn more about club drugs and their effects HERE

 

Your Brain on MDMA

 

Did You Know?

  • The stimulant effects of ecstasy, which enables users to dance for a long periods, may also lead to increase in body temperature, dehydration, heart failure, kidney failure, strokes and seizures.

  • Ecstasy can also cause the body to overheat, water poisoning from drinking excessive amounts of water and even death.

  • GHB and Rohypnol are also called the "date rape" drugs because they can make you unconscious and immobilize you.

  • Most club drugs are odorless and tasteless, so you may not realize if someone slipped a club drug into your drink.

  • According to the 2019 Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 4.5% of Hawaii high school students tried ecstasy at least once in their lifetime.

  • Among high school students surveyed nationally in the 2019 monitoring future study, 3.3 % of 12th graders , 3.2% of 10th graders, and 1.7% of 8th graders reported using ecstasy at least once in their life.

  • In 2018, 7% of people 12 and older in the US have used ecstasy once in their lifetime.

Sources:  www.drugabuse.gov   http://monitoringthefuture.org    https://nccd.cdc.gov

Real Stories of Hawaii Teens

To learn more about how club drugs can affect you, see how ecstasy played a role in taking the life of a 20-year-old local woman and former Hawaii football star.

Waianae family shares pain after death of young woman at rave.

The Honolulu medical examiner confirmed Manuwai's cause of death was "acute MDMA use."

Infographics

 
 

Additional Information on Club Drugs