Substance use disorder doesn’t have to be something that happens on street corners or in dingy apartment buildings. By now, Americans are waking up to the fact that the disease of addiction is everywhere around us – at home, at work, and even at play.
One class of drugs, known as “club drugs,” continues to pose a real danger despite the cutesy name. Not just a party favor, they have the potential to send those who use them on the path to full-fledged substance use disorder.
Club drugs have a widely varying chemical makeup and widely varying effects. What they share in common is the fact that people tend to consume them at bars, in clubs, or at parties. For that reason, they generally surface around a younger demographic.
MDMA (ecstasy), GHB, ketamine, Rohypnol, and methamphetamine are all examples of common club drugs.
GHB, a sedative, can result in sleep, coma, or death. Ketamine overdose is also possible, along with heart attack or amnesia. The effects of the others can be equally terrible.
Even worse, the use of alcohol can make the effects of these drugs much stronger. If other drugs are in the mix as well, it’s a recipe for disaster.
If you’re worried about your club drug use, or concerned about a friend or family member, the staff at Clean Path Behavioral Health can help you figure out next steps – before it’s too late.