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Article Summary

An Overview of Club Drugs

Drug addiction has been a foremost problem in our society for decades. This has triggered several kinds of abuses globally. This might lead to detrimental results to an addict, including loss of employment, domestic violence, failure in school, just to name a few. While not everyone who uses drugs becomes dependent, to some people it starts as casual use, but sooner or later leads to drug dependence. This addiction may trigger severe drug craving.

Club drugs, also known as Rave drugs are among the most abused drugs. They are commonly abused by young adults and teens who are always enticed by their low cost as well as intoxicating effects that usually intensify the rave experience. Unfortunately, many become addicted to these drugs and some even succumb to sickness or death as a result.

Types of club drugs

Some of the most popular kinds of club drugs are Rohypnol, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, Ketamine, Meth, and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. Many of these drugs are actually central nervous system depressants, and some of them have become popular in recent years. Ketamine was developed as a tranquilizer for human and animal use; about 90% of the Ketamine sold is intended for veterinary use. Many club drugs such as methamphetamine are very addictive. People can also become addicted if they take GHB, Flunitrazepam and Ketamine repeatedly.

Short term effects of club drugs

"Club drug" is an indistinct word that refers to a wide range of drugs. They can be taken orally in liquid or pill form, injected, snorted or smoked. Most of them are tasteless, colorless and odorless and are masked easily in food and drink. Uncertainties about the sources, chemicals used to produce them; pharmacological agents, as well as possible contaminants make it difficult to ascertain toxicity, effects, as well as symptoms that may be expected in users.

Club drugs are risky drugs, which pose a threat to the health of users at a certain point in their lives. Not even a single club drug is benevolent. Some short-term effects of club drugs include a very strong feeling of wellbeing, confidence, alertness, lack of inhibition, increased closeness with people as well as sexual arousal. Unpleasant short-term effects comprise nausea, sweating, vomiting, jaw clenching, confusion, teeth grinding, anxiety, loss of appetite, hallucinations, seizure and in extreme cases, death. When using certain kinds of club drugs, negative feelings can dominate and result to what is called a "bad trip". One may experience feelings of fear, panic, anxiety or hallucinations. "Bad trips" are mostly common among first-time users.

Long term effects of club drugs

Club drugs can damage serotonin levels within the brain. Given the pivotal role that the neurotransmitter serotonin plays in managing emotion, sleep, memory, pain, as well as higher order cognitive processes, it's likely that the use of this drug can trigger a variety of cognitive effects and impairing memory. Since some of these drugs are odorless and tasteless they can be added to drinks by people who want to sedate or intoxicate others. In the last few years, there have been reports of club drugs used by people to commit sexual assaults.

Signs and symptoms of club drugs

It can be difficult to tell whether or not one has been using these drugs. Signs common to all club drugs may comprise anxiety, depression, panic, euphoria , hallucinations, loss of memory as well as psychotic behavior. Traces of drugs, drugs, and drug paraphernalia are all direct proof of drug abuse. Menthol inhalers, pacifiers, surgical masks, and other such things could also be considered signs. If someone shows some of the above warning symptoms, they might be using club drugs.

Withdrawal symptoms

A certain percentage of club drug users become addicted as evidenced by their continuing to use them regardless of negative effects. They also spend a lot of time and cash acquiring the drugs and experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, desire to use them, and decreased sex drive. The most dangerous withdrawal sign is depression, as it results to suicide attempts sometimes. Some depressive symptoms related to club drug withdrawal can persist for one year or more after the user stops using the drugs.

The dangers of club drugs

Users react differently to club drugs, and even a single pill can cause very serious side effects, including death. Also, since they are manufactured illegally, their strength varies from batch to batch. There is a very dangerous aspect to club drug scene, which is a tendency to combine these drugs, causing varying side effects. Another problem with these drugs is that, unlike most of street drugs of which one has to buy certain quantities, they are available in a 1 use doses, which makes them easier to access and afford. Club drugs are a fad, fad that has been around longer than many people realize. The basic rule however is, be cautious. These drugs are not only unlawful, but are also risky and life threatening.

Recovery

The unfortunate fact about club drug addiction is that many do not seek treatment. Less than less than 40 percent of those with dependence disorder seek rehabilitation. The main goals for recovery are relapse prevention, abstinence, as well as rehabilitation. During the first stage of abstinence, an addict may need assistance evading or lessening withdrawal symptoms. This process is known as detox. Usually this aspect of treatment is done in a hospital, where medical assistance can be provided.

A more challenging and time consuming than recovery from physical aspects of addiction is psychological addiction. For those with less severe dependency, psychological addiction symptoms can be treated in an outpatient program. Nonetheless, those with a more severe addiction or have relapsed after undergoing outpatient treatment programs may need a higher level of structure, monitoring, and support offered in an inpatient drug treatment facility.

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