Many people enjoy going out to nightclubs, concerts and music festivals. The combination of a large group of people, the beat of the music and the colors of the lights seems to influence an energy that simply does not exist when listening to CDs or the radio. This type of environment is very exciting and some people are looking to get even more from the experience by taking club drugs to enhance their experience.
Even people who would not normally be interested in using drugs may become caught up in the excitement of the moment and make an impulsive choice to use stimulants. If other people around them are indulging, it can be difficult to resist the urge to partake in the drug use to feel accepted, or to experience what the other people in the group are seeing and feeling. These types of stimulants and psychedelic drugs are not all fun and games. These drugs can be extremely dangerous.
What Are Club Drugs?
Club drugs come in many different forms. Many of the club drugs today are stimulants or psychedelics that can cause increased heart rate, hallucinations, paranoia, and more. The top known club drugs today include:
- Ecstasy also known as MDMA
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- LSD
- Ketamine
Reasons Club Drugs Are Dangerous
Exact Ingredients Of Club Drugs Are Unknown
Someone who agrees to try something given to them in a club setting can never be sure exactly what they are getting, or the exact dose. The drug could have any type of ingredients in its makeup, including household cleaners, or a completely different illicit drug (such as bath salts) from the one a customer thinks they are buying. The buyer may not be prepared for the drug’s effects (or any side effects) once it is ingested.
Club Drugs Can Be Given To A Person Without Their Knowledge
It’s one thing to decide on your own to take club drugs, but it’s quite a different situation when the choice to use them is not your own. Club drugs can be put into someone’s drink while they are on the dance floor, step away to use the restroom or simply turn away for an instant. Once a psychedelic drug takes effect, the person is at higher risk for being injured, being robbed or the victim of a crime.
Reactions To Club Drugs Can Be Harmful
There is no way to tell what a person has ingested when taking club drugs, and the reactions to them are unpredictable as well. Some people who take psychedelic drugs see images which are frightening or cause them to react violently. The drugs themselves can cause dangerous reactions in the body and without knowing exactly what was taken, it is difficult for doctors to provide proper treatment quickly.
Club Drugs Can Be Addictive
Certain club drugs, such as methamphetamine, are highly addictive. Using them can lead to a substance abuse issue requiring treatment from a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
Find Help For Club Drug Addiction
Are you concerned about a loved one’s use of club drugs? Our drug rehab in MD can help. We offer partial hospitalization and outpatient treatment programs, all of which are delivered in a caring and compassionate manner. Call us today to learn more.
Reviewed by Christopher Schwartfigure MS, LGPC, CAC-AD
