Club drugs tend to be used by young adults and teenagers at nightclubs, bars, parties, and concerts and include GHB, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and Rohypnol.
Other Names:
liquid ecstasy, lollipops, and Georgia home boy, date rape drug, and a number of different street names
How Does It Affect Your System?
GHB (gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid) is a metabolite that acts as a central nervous system depressant and is chemically similar to the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid. Thus, GHB is a central nervous system depressant. It has some clinical uses as a potential anesthetic, in the treatment of insomnia and narcolepsy, in the treatment of alcoholism, and may have utility as a potential adjunctive treatment for clinical depression. The drug is also used as a recreational drug due to its abilities to produce euphoria and its reputation as an aphrodisiac.
What Are The Symptoms & Risk
Detoxing Symptoms (Withdrawl)
Despite a number of online reports stating that GHB is safe to use, there is a documented withdrawal syndrome associated with discontinuing GHB. The withdrawal process is similar to a combination of alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal that appears to occur in three discrete stages:
Early acute withdrawal symptoms occur 1-24 hours after discontinuation of heavy use. These can include:
Marked insomnia and severe intermittent tachycardia
Moderate nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, delirium, and/or confusion
Mild symptoms of tremors, hypertension, and sweating
Over the next 1-6 days, there is progressive change in symptoms that indicates a peak in most of the withdrawal symptoms, including:
Severe anxiety, restlessness, confusion, delirium, hypertension, insomnia, and the potential for hallucinations
Moderate levels of sweating, tremors, and hypertension
Mild issues with nausea and vomiting
Finally, a period of extended episodic symptoms that begin after about one week following discontinuation and last for an additional week. Symptoms include:
Intermittent episodes of severe delirium
Intermittent episodes of moderate anxiety, insomnia, confusion, tachycardia, and hallucinations
Mild tremors, sweating, nausea, and vomiting
