Club drugs, also called rave drugs or party drugs, are often found in bars, nightclubs, and music parties. They are loosely defined as recreational drugs used by teens and young adults to heighten their sensory perception and reduce inhibitions. They make the person using them less shy and more forward. There are many club drugs available in the market, few very common club drugs are – Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy); Gamma-hydroxybutyrate GHB (liquid ecstasy), flunitrazepam, ketamine, and many more.
Safety of club drugs
Club drugs, or party drugs, are not safe to use at all. They appear to look like regular prescribed tablets, but they are harmful and acquired illegally. They are even made illegally, and the composition of most drugs is unknown. Apart from using club drugs to be intoxicated, people use them to commit sexual activities, assault, or even seduce others by sedation. Since many club drugs are colourless, tasteless, and odourless, some people may use these tablets to deceive others by mixing them in their drinks or food. However, people using these drugs face a lot of mental and physical health issues, such as:
- Blurred vision
- Loss of muscle control
- Seizures
- Loss of memory
- Hypothermia
- Brain damage by damaging nerve cells
- Depression
- Anti-social behavior
- Suicide and homicide
- Change in physical appearance
- Increased unprotected sex
Club drugs are stimulants that release the brain chemical dopamine that increases your energy capacity, and some drugs increase your heartbeat and blood pressure. Some club drugs also lead to breathing problems and loss of consciousness. These are not to be taken lately, as they have a long-lasting effect on your health.
If taken frequently, it can become an addictive habit, which can result in hazardous side effects on overall health. It is a misconception that taking club drugs in small quantities or once in a while may not be harmful to a great extent. However, this is not true. Since these drugs are made illegally and do not follow any regulatory laws, the dosage of the drug varies each time, even within a single batch, leading to serious complications and even death.
Tips to identify a friend who is on club drug
Club drug users typically demonstrate changes in mood, an increase in body temperature, muscle tightness, teeth clenching, and difficulties speaking and moving. Anxiety, loss of coordination, appearing sick, fast eye movement, chills, sweating, sleepy-drunk-like behaviour, dizziness, and confusion are some of the other symptoms. If someone is found to be in this situation, it is best to take them away from the loud music and into a calm environment. Avoid offering the person ordinary water. If this does not seem to soothe him or her, seek medical attention.
Tips to avoid being drugged unknowingly
With the increase in date rapes, it is important to be aware of what you consume and who you are in contact with. Culprits take advantage of nightclubs and use the club drugs to fool innocent people into molesting or assaulting them. Some tips to avoid getting your drinks spiked include:
- Make sure to keep a drink or water in hand.
- Do not accept a drink or water from an unknown person.
- Look out for other friends drinks as well.
Conclusion
You don’t need any party drugs to have fun or open up. With your close friends and the right group around you, you can just be yourself, enjoy the music, and dance to it. Always take reliable people with you when you go to parties where there are large crowds and loud music, or choose places that you know well. Be careful not to get your drinks spiked, and look out for your friends. Don’t fall under the pressure of peers or any stranger who approaches you with the idea of using drugs to loosen up. Always be mindful of the negative consequences of club drugs, which could lead to unsafe consequences and health complications.
