Club Drugs

October 18, 2021

3 min read

Many teens and young adults spend their weekend nights surrounded by loud music, bright lights, and their friends dancing the night away at a bar, nightclub, party, or even concerts. Unfortunately, over the years, a key part of this “fun night out” has included drugs, whether these are ingested intentionally or accidentally. It is important to know what the common club drugs are and the effects they have on the body.

What are club drugs?

Beginning in the 1980s in Europe, raves have become increasingly popular throughout several regions, including the United States. A rave is a large party, typically in a warehouse or abandoned building, with bright strobe lights, music, alcohol, and party drugs. When the phenomenon of raves slowed and party-goers frequented nightclubs and bars more often, club drugs soon followed.

The main club drugs used today are:

Flunitrazepam: commonly known as Rohypnol or roofies
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate: also called GHB, liquid ecstasy, or the “date rape” drug
Ketamine: known as special K or K
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: or LSD or acid
Methamphetamines: also known as meth, crystal meth, speed, or ice

What do club drugs do?

Club drugs are known to affect the brain and central nervous system (CNS) of an individual and depending on the drug itself result in dangerous effects. The commonly used club drugs are often:

Stimulants: causes a feeling of excitability, arousal, and leaving one unafraid
Depressants: slows the central nervous system and decreases the ability to react
Hallucinogens: affects the ability of one to think, feel, judge, or act, causing the user to forget for long periods and leaving them unable to determine what is real versus what is fake
Methamphetamines: these are stimulants causing excitement, hyperactivity, anxiousness, and paranoia

Are club drugs addictive?

Rather than being found naturally like marijuana, club drugs are often man-made drugs that are made with more than one drug. Many club drugs are cut with Methamphetamines, making them highly addictive drugs to be used.

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive drug with effects that can last up to 20 hours, causing one to stay awake for days on end and causing:

Delusions
Hallucinations
Paranoia
Violent and dangerous behaviors

Symptoms of club drug use

Effects of club drugs vary depending on the type of drug taken, but they can appear within 10 to 20 minutes of use. These symptoms include:

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Blurred vision
Change in heart rate and/or blood pressure
Decreased muscle control
Impaired memory or judgment
Difficulty breathing
Aggression
Hallucinations
An altered level of consciousness
Seizures
Coma
Death

What are “date rape” drugs?

Date rape drugs are any type of drug used to impair one's ability to make sexual assault easier. The most common use of date rape drugs in a club setting is for someone to put the drug in your drink when you are not looking.

Club drugs commonly used as a “date rape” drug are extremely powerful and the effects are brought on quickly. The effects can last a wide variety of times depending on the type of drug used, if you are using any other drugs, or if the drug has been mixed with alcohol.

The most common “date rape” drug is GHB which suppresses the central nervous system, leaving you unable to react appropriately or be in control of your own body.

How to protect yourself in a club setting

It is important to stay on high alert in a nightclub, party, or even at a concert. Whether you are alone or surrounded by many friends, a small pill can be slipped to you rather easily. To help protect yourself from date rape drugs:

Do not leave your drink unattended.
Do not accept drinks from a stranger.
Do not drink from a can or bottle that was opened by another person.

Club drugs are very dangerous as it is difficult to know what these man-made drugs are cut with. It is important to protect yourself at all times and never accept a drink from someone you do not know.

Connect With Others to Talk About Club Drugs

Did you know that Healthread offers a platform to connect with others who may be involved in club drugs? Whether you want to talk with others on Healthread’s mobile app or desktop platform, you can share stories, talk about experiences, or ask questions to other users about club drugs.