 MDMA (Ecstasy), Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine are among the drugs used by
teens and young adults who are part of a nightclub, bar, rave, or trance
scene. Raves and trance events are generally night-long dances, often held
in warehouses. Many who attend raves and trances do not use drugs, but those
who do may be attracted to the generally low cost, seemingly increased stamina,
and intoxicating highs that are said to deepen the rave or trance experience.
Current science, however, is showing change to critical parts of the brain
from use of these drugs. Also, in high doses most of these drugs can cause
a sharp increase in body temperature (malignant hyperthermia) leading to
muscle breakdown and kidney and cardiovascular system failure.
MDMA (Ecstasy)
MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with both stimulant (amphetamine-like)
and hallucinogenic (LSD-like) properties. Street names for MDMA include
Ecstasy, Adam, XTC, hug, beans, and love drug. Its chemical structure (3-4
methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "MDMA") is similar to methamphetamine,
methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and mescaline - these are synthetic drugs
known to cause brain damage. MDMA usually is taken in pill form, but some
users snort it, inject it, or use it in suppository form.
Many problems MDMA users encounter are similar to those found with the use
of amphetamines and cocaine. Psychological difficulties can include confusion,
depression, sleep problems, severe anxiety, and paranoia. Physical problems
can include muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred
vision, faintness, and chills or sweating. Use of the drug has also been
associated with increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which are special
risks for people with circulatory or heart disease. Recent research also
links MDMA use to long-term damage to those parts of the brain critical
to thought, memory, and pleasure.
MDMA use is increasing in most metropolitan areas of the United States.*
In Boston and New York City, it appears to be spreading beyond the club
scene to the streets. Content of the MDMA pills also varies widely, and
may include caffeine, dextromethorphan, heroin, and mescaline. In some areas
of the country, the MDMA-like substance paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) has
been involved in the deaths of people who mistakenly thought they were taking
true MDMA. The deaths were due to complications from hyperthermia.
In a 5-year retrospective of emergency room mentions of club drugs,** the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that emergency
room mentions involving MDMA increased from 250 in 1994 to 2,850 in 1999.
Rohypnol GHB and Ketamine
GHB, Rohypnol, and ketamine are predominantly central nervous system depressants.
Because they are often colorless, tasteless, and odorless, they can be added
to beverages and ingested unknowingly.
These drugs emerged a few years ago as "date rape" drugs. Because
of concern about their abuse, Congress passed the "Drug-Induced Rape
Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996" in October 1996. This legislation
increased Federal penalties for use of any controlled substance to aid in
sexual assault.
GHB
Since about 1990, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) has been abused n the U.S.
for euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body building) effects. It is a central
nervous system depressant that was widely available over-the-counter in
health food stores during the 1980s and until 1992. It was purchased largely
by body builders to aid fat reduction and muscle building. Street names
include Liquid Ecstasy, Soap, Easy Lay, and Georgia Home Boy. Even though
GHB may be difficult to distinguish from water, it has appeared in law enforcement
indicators, including seizures of large amounts in Minneapolis/St. Paul
and Phoenix.
Coma and seizures can occur following abuse of GHB and, when combined with
methamphetamine, there appears to be an increased risk of seizure. Combining
use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and difficulty
breathing. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia,
anxiety, tremors, and sweating.
GHB and two of its precursors, gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol
(BD) have been involved in poisonings, overdoses, date rapes, and deaths.
These products, obtainable over the internet and sometimes still sold in
health food stores, are also available at some gyms, raves, nightclubs,
gay male parties, college campuses, and the street. They are commonly mixed
with alcohol (which may cause unconsciousness), have a short duration of
action, and are not easily detectable on routine hospital toxicology screens.
GHB emergency room mentions increased from 55 in 1994 to 2,973 in 1999.**
In 1999, GHB accounted for 32 percent of illicit drug-related poison center
calls in Boston. In Chicago and San Francisco, GHB use is reportedly low
compared with MDMA, although GHB overdoses seem frequent compared with overdoses
related to other club drugs.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol, a trade name for flunitrazepam, has been of particular concern
for the last few years because of its abuse in date rape. It belongs to
a class of drugs knows as benzodiazepines. When mixed with alcohol, Rohypnol
can incapacitate victims and prevent them from resisting sexual assault.
It can produce "anterograde amnesia," which means individuals
may not remember events they experienced while under the effects of the
drugs. Also, Rohypnol may be lethal when mixed with alcohol and/or other
depressants.
Rohypnol is not approved for use in the United States, and its importation
is banned. Illicit use of Rohypnol started appearing in the United States
in the early 1990s, where it became known as "rophies," "roofies,"
"roach," and "rope." Emergency room mentions of Rohypnol
were 13 in 1994 and increased to 624 in 1998; they decreased to 540 in 1999.
Abuse of two other similar drugs appears to be replacing Rohypnol abuse
in Miami, Texas, and Boston. These are clonazepam, marketed in the U.S.
as Klonopin and in Mexico as Rivotril, and alprazolam (marketed as Xanax).
Rohypnol, however, continues to be a problem among treatment admissions
in Texas, particularly among young Hispanic males along the Mexican border.
Ketamine
Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been approved for both human and animal
use in medical settings since 1970; about 90 percent of the ketamine legally
sold is intended for veterinary use. It can be injected or snorted. Ketamine
is also known as "Special K" or "vitamin K".
Certain doses of ketamine can cause dream-like states and hallucinations,
and it has become common in club and rave scenes and has been used as a
date rape drug.
At high doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function,
high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems.
Emergency room mentions of ketamine rose from 19 in 1994 to 396 in 1999.**
Recent use has been reported more frequently among white youth in many cities,
including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark,
New York City, Phoenix, San Diego, Texas, and Washington, DC.
Be especially scrutinizing as you determine the drug rehab program that
meets your specific needs. This site has listings of drug rehab programs
and treatment centers, alcohol rehabilitation programs, teen rehabs, sober
houses, drug detox and alcohol detox centers.
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