Club drugs are drugs that young people use at social places especially night parties. The use of club drug are said to differ from one place to another or even countries. Some drugs like heroine are also considered to be club drugs. Other places use Ketamine as club drugs for stimulation too. People who visit bars or clubs usually have drinks/drugs that entertain them as they socialize. Alcohol is mostly used more than the other drugs, yet it is not mentioned as a club drug. Many people get addictions from alcohol more than the other club drugs. Some people start by taking alcohol then they are introduced to these other club drugs.
The mixing of these drugs may be a great mistake because the consequences are double. The abuse or overdose of the recreational drugs may cause many negative effects to the user. For example, when the user is high, they may do or say things that might endanger their lives, like giving out their sensitive secrets to total strangers. It also causes the users to be more sexually active, which may result to misbehaviors like rape to both girls and boys, sexual behaviors like unprotected sex where the individual may contract diseases including HIV/AIDS.
ECSTASY AND CLUB DRUGS Club drugs as the name suggests are recreational kind of drugs used in social places which have a stimulating power, mostly used by young adults. According to Barry (p. 18), commonly used club drugs consist of: MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) which is also the Ecstasy. It is illegal world-wide under the UN accord. People who own, produce, or trade this drug are prosecuted as criminals. It is widely used in the world over, especially in music associated fields.
GHB (gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid) which is illegal in a number of countries, but is being controlled in America and is used to take care of inability to move or what is called cataplexy and extreme day drowsiness in patients with narcolepsy or uncontrollable sessions of deep sleep. Ruiz (p. 196) notes that using GHB club drug that is used amongst the youth, usually causes amnesia and feeling sleepy. LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide). LSD is an illegal drug though it has been used in meditations or thought sessions, art scheme among others. Rohypnol, methamphetamine.
This is an illegal drug in America, though permitted as a sedative in Europe. They also call it rophies. It has the ability to cause nostalgic loss of memory or amnesia; it is regularly used in anesthesia. Ketamine. This is a drug that is used for both veterinary services as well as used by people. Ketamine is referred as “special K” in the streets. Werther (p. 12) states that ecstasy was used by psychiatrists in therapy sessions for couples experiencing marriage problems, to offer them a sense of understanding and empathy thus solve their problems.
Ecstasy makes the user experience so much peaceful, more bodily or extra energy to dance for a very long time without getting tired. Holland (p. 22) says that people having the first incident of the use of ecstasy say that it makes them experience acceptance, understanding, closeness, or peace. Edlin (p. 370) says that Ketamine is numbing, and is also mixed wit Ecstasy. The mixture is termed as “kitty flipping”, a street name. Ketamine makes the user act in a friendly way to everyone around them. Its mixture with MDMA and marijuana is called “EGK” while “trail mixer” is with other drugs like cocaine.
Ketamine is taken orally like a white powder, and may also be inhaled. The effect of Ketamine can be experienced after a period of 30minutes and may last up to three hours. This makes the user think like the brain is disconnected from the body. Ketamine is not colored, unscented and flavorless, and therefore can be spiked in someone’s drink and not be able to tell. These club drugs are not synchronized and so the teenagers using them do not know how much are too much of it. Symptoms and effects of club drugs
When an individual takes these drugs, they may have several symptoms which include difficulties in sleep, desire for more drugs, nervousness, and fear or panic; Other times muscle pains, queasiness, dizziness, and sweating; Abnormal elevated temperatures may be experienced which are said to lead to kidney breakdown, and cardiovascular system collapse; other times people develop a skin reaction that looks like acne or spots, associated to liver damage; hormones can be exaggerated that leads to water intoxication; the drugs may also increase blood pressure and sometimes death, if used in large quantities.
Because of the excess energy that one has from the drug, they dance all night and may result to dehydration which can make them pass out on the dance floor and may even die! People using ecstasy may develop a serious problem like collapse of metabolism, or even get obsessed to the drugs. Some say that they like the feeling when they have had it, no matter the feeling after. Addiction is not good and may cause worse damage to the use like wanting to overdose for experiment or because you need a better feeling, you try stronger drugs like cocaine. Overdose of Ketamine may lead to queasiness and respiratory despair.
Hyde (p. 39) states that ecstasy may cause the brain to discharge more serotonin. These are chemicals responsible for pass on messages linking nerve cells and one may turn into emotions or experience pain. Ecstasy causes one to experience jaw clenching and also teeth grinding. Ecstasy users experience great degree of empathy between acquaintances, imminence into personal troubles and prolonged intellectual viewpoint, says Wills (p. 120). Ecstasy users may permanently stop the ability to handle stress or/and brain damage. The following are some of the features of addiction: cravings that last or occur many times a day
ensuring that the supply of the drug is constant having difficulty in quitting the drug Doing extra ordinary things to be able to have the drug Depending on the drug to feel good solve your problems Not being careful with things like driving under the influence. The largest problem is that these drugs can be put into someone’s drink without their knowledge in the clubs or party areas. Addiction A person that has been using ecstasy or/and the other club drugs is likely to be addicted. The addiction affects the user emotionally and physically too, where they become totally reliance to the drugs.
This results to cravings for the drugs, with a strong urge to continue using it without your control. When the user discontinues using the drug abruptly, they can get serious physical reactions. Flouting the addiction is not easy but is possible. The user may get support from people close to him or her and the doctor too. People or friends who have being through the addiction may help you recover too by supporting you and encouraging you. Treatment challenges When a patient is undergoing the treatment, the doctor should make sure that the patient is not taking any other kind of drug.
This is because people who take ecstasy are most likely taking other kind of drugs like alcohol. People doing these drugs are most likely those people that party a lot, because this is where they are sold and where their peers are. To be successful in the treatment, they should be advised to stay away from club area. Coombs (p. 266) Rape cases are reported during these parties. Therefore the patient that is undertaking the treatment should be screened for PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) so that they can be treated. Use of Ketamine can deform a person’s sight and sound.
It stops a person’s body from feeling pain, cause hopelessness among other dangers. Relapse prevention Marlatt (p. 135) says that people that have being using leisure drugs or other kinds of drug may experience a relapse after stopping and undergoing treatment. For this not to happen, one should be careful with the following factors: The people you spend most of the time with should be free of drugs. The former group of friends should change not be easily available e. g. in the house, or living with someone who is still using it.
These factors should be avoided. People recovering from drug abuse may go through emotional stress. They should be close to people who care for them. The cognitive feeling that you cannot make it unless you go back to being high. They should be careful not to result into relapse. The royal College of psychiatrists (243) has noted that users of recreational drugs want to know the effects so that they may be safe. Some have even stopped using them because they have seen others die. Some make sure they drink water to prevent dehydration to avoid going back t it.
If possible the ex-user should be around people who care about their recovery to encourage them through the process. The surrounding environment should be conducive. Alcohol or the drug formerly used should not be easily available e. g. in the house, or living with someone who is still using it. These factors should be avoided. People recovering from drug abuse may go through emotional stress. They should be close to people who care for them. The cognitive feeling that you cannot make it unless you go back to being high. They should be careful not to result into relapse.
The royal College of psychiatrists (243) has noted that users of recreational drugs want to be familiar with the effects so that they may be secure. Some have even stopped using them because they have seen their colleagues die. Some make sure they drink water to prevent dehydration. Guss (p. 37) observed that gay people are more liable to use drugs compared to straight people. Lesbians too were noted to use the club drugs in plenty. This may be because they need to feel okay without being sober. In most places gay people are not accepted and feel discriminated against.
They may want t seek comfort in the recreational drugs, thus get hooked. Symptoms and effects of club drugs When an individual has taken this drug may have several symptoms which include difficulties in sleep, craving for drugs, anxiety, and paranoia; Other times muscle aches, nausea, faintness, and sweating; Abnormal increase of temperatures may be experienced which are said to lead to kidney failure, and cardiovascular system failure; other times people develop a rash that looks like acne, which is linked to liver damage; hormones can be affected that leads to water intoxication; it also increases blood pressure and sometimes death.
Because of the excess energy that one has from the drug, they dance all night and may result to dehydration which can make them pass out on the dance floor and may even die! People using the club drugs get hooked to the drugs. Some say that they like the feeling when they have had it, no matter the feeling after. Addiction is not good and may cause worse damage to the use like wanting to overdose for experiment or because you need a better feeling, you try stronger drugs like cocaine. Overdose of Ketamine may lead to vomiting and respiratory depression. Hyde (p.
39) states that ecstasy may cause the brain to release more serotonin. These are chemicals responsible for transmitting messages between nerve cells and one may become emotional, experience pain… Use of ecstasy causes one t experience jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Ecstasy users experience great degree of empathy between associates insight into personal problems and expanded mental perspective, says Wills (p. 120). Ecstasy users may permanently stop the ability to handle stress or/and brain damage. The following are some of the features of addiction: cravings that last or occur many times a day
ensuring that the supply of the drug is constant having difficulty in quitting the drug Doing extra ordinary things to be able to have the drug Depending on the drug to feel good solve your problems Not being careful with things like driving under the influence. The biggest problem is that these drugs can be put into someone’s drink without their knowledge in the clubs or party areas. Addiction A person that has been using ecstasy or/and the other club drugs is likely to be addicted. The addiction affects the user emotionally and physically too, where they become totally reliance to the drugs.
This results to cravings for the drugs, with a strong urge to continue using it without your control. When the user discontinues using the drug abruptly, they can get serious physical reactions. Flouting the addiction is not easy but is possible. The user may get support from people close to him or her and the doctor too. People or friends who have being through the addiction may help you recover too by supporting you and encouraging you. Treatment challenges When a patient is undergoing the treatment, the doctor should make sure that the patient is not taking any other kind of drug.
This is because people who take Ecstasy are most likely taking other kind of drugs like alcohol. People doing these drugs are most likely those people that party a lot, because this is where they are sold. To be successful in the treatment, they should be advised to stay away from club area. Coombs (p. 266) During these parties, there are cases of rape. The patience that is undertaking the treatment should be screened for PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) so that they can be treated. Use of Ketamine can distort a person’s sight and sound.
It stops a person’s body from feeling pain, cause depression among other dangers. Relapse prevention Marlatt (p. 135) says that people that have being using recreational drugs or other kinds of drug may experience a relapse after stopping and undergoing treatment. For this not to happen, one should be careful with the following factors: The people you spend most of the time with should be free of drugs. The former group of friends should change not be easily available e. g. in the house, or living with someone who is still using it.
These factors should be avoided. People recovering from drug abuse may go through emotional stress. They should be close to people who care for them. The cognitive feeling that you cannot make it unless you go back to being high. They should be careful not to result into relapse. The royal College of psychiatrists (243) has noted that users of recreational drugs want to know the effects so that they may be safe. Some have even stopped using them because they have seen others die. Some make sure they drink water to prevent dehydration to avoid going back t it.
If possible the ex-user should be around people who care about their recovery to encourage them through the process. The surrounding environment should be conducive. Alcohol or the drug formerly used should not be easily available e. g. in the house, or living with someone who is still using it. These factors should be avoided. People recovering from drug abuse may go through emotional stress. They should be close to people who care for them. The cognitive feeling that you cannot make it unless you go back to being high. They should be careful not to result into relapse.
The royal College of psychiatrists (243) has noted that users of recreational drugs want to know the effects so that they may be safe. Some have even stopped using them because they have seen others die. Some make sure they drink water to prevent dehydration. It should be the responsibility of the community as a whole to stop the usage of these drugs.
References
Coombs H. Robert. (2006). Addiction Counseling review. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Guss R. Jeffrey, Drescher Jack (2000). Addictions in the gay and lesbian community.
New York: Haworth Medical Press. Holland, J. (2001). Ecstasy. Rochester, Vt. : Park Street Press. Hyde O. Margaret and Setaro F. John (2003). Drugs 101. Brookfield, Conn. : Twenty-First Century Books. Edlin G. , Golanty E. (2006). Health and wellness. Sudbury, Mass. : Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Marlatt G. Alan, Donovan M. Dennis (2005). Relapse prevention maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors. New York: Guilford Press. Murphy Michael, Cowan Ronald (2007). Blueprints psychiatry. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Royal college of psychiatrists, royal college of physicians of London (2000). Drugs: dilemmas and choices. London: Gaskell. Ruiz Pedro, Strain C. Eric, and Langrod John. (2007). The substance abuse handbook. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stimmel Barry (2002). Alcoholism, drug addiction, and the road t recovery: life on the edge. New York: Haworth Medical Press. Werther P. Scott (2001). Ecstasy and your heart: the incredible disgusting story. New York: Rosen Central. Wills Simon (2005). Drugs of abuse. London; Chicago: Pharmaceutical Press.