The Risks of Using "Party" Drugs

Although many parents speak to their kids about the dangers of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin, most of them don't know about the growing problem party drugs have presented. 

 "Party" drugs, otherwise known as club drugs, are most popular at raves, nightclubs, bars, dances and parties where young people use them and consider them to be harmless and fun.  While party drugs can produce pleasant feelings that mimic a dream-like state or an intense hallucination, they can also be severely detrimental to your health as well as fatal.

The most common party drugs include Ecstasy, GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate), Special K and Roofies. All of these are dangerous substances, putting anyone who uses them at high risk.

Ecstasy 

Ecstasy, one of the most popular party drugs, is taken as a capsule and creates a euphoric feeling that is generally characterized by high levels of alertness and an increase in energy.  It is these feelings that allow the user to dance for extended periods of time which is why the drug so appealing in a rave environment.  The negative consequences of this popular party drug, however, can be severe. 

A person who uses Ecstasy may experience dehydration, high blood pressure as well as heart or kidney failure.  Frequent use of the party drug can also cause long-term damage to the brain cells that affect memory.  The emotional effects that Ecstasy has on the user generally include a typical depression that follows the high and the user will probably take more of the drug in an attempt to experience the same high.

Dangers of Party Drugs

Perhaps one of the biggest problems and dangers associated with party drugs is that most of them are created in illegal laboratories.  By the time one of these dangerous drugs reaches an individual it may have already been contaminated (or "laced") with additives that are not only unidentifiable and extremely harmful to the user but life-threatening at high doses.  The major risk factors associated with most party drugs include:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Respiratory failure
• Heat stroke, exhaustion and/or severe dehydration while dancing
• Permanent nerve damage
• Psychosis
• Unconsciousness
• Seizures
• Death

It is also important for people to understand that the use of party drugs can compromise your social and economic well-being.  In addition, since party drugs impair judgment and lower inhibitions, users often engage in unprotected sex, putting themselves at a tremendous risk for sexually transmitted diseases.