Club Drug Use Disorder

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KEY POINTS

• Club drugs such as Ecstasy, meth, and others are man-made drugs.
• Substance use disorders are patterns of using drugs that lead to serious personal, family, and health problems.
• If you want to quit, get help from your healthcare provider.
• Self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, support groups, and therapy may be helpful.

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What is club drug use disorder?

Club drugs are man-made drugs. They are known as "club drugs" because they are often used at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. Club drugs can be taken by mouth, inhaled through the nose in powder form ("snorting"), injected into a vein, or smoked. Some of them are clear, tasteless liquids that can be dissolved in drinks.

There are many types of club drugs including Ecstasy, bath salts, "date rape" drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol ("roofies"), Ketamine, and methamphetamine (meth). Nonprescription cold medicines or diet pills that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine can be used to make meth. Spice, or K2, is made from herbs that are sprayed with a chemical called THC, which is the same chemical found in marijuana. These drugs are very dangerous. Harmful chemicals may be in these drugs. Different batches of club drugs are not always the same. The possible side effects are unpredictable.

Club drug use disorder is a pattern of using drugs that leads to serious personal, family, and health problems. The more of these statements that apply to you, the more severe your substance use disorder is.

1. You use more or use the substance for longer than you planned.
2. You want to cut down or quit, but are not able to do so.
3. You spend a lot of time and energy getting drugs, using drugs, and getting over the effects.
4. You crave the substance so much that you have trouble thinking about anything else.
5. You have problems at work or school, or stop taking care of people who depend on you.
6. You have relationship problems because you don’t keep your promises, or you argue or get violent with other people.
7. You stop doing things that used to matter to you, such as sports, hobbies, or spending time with friends or family, because of your substance use.
8. You use substances even when it is dangerous, such as while driving or operating machinery.
9. You keep using substances even though you know that it is hurting your physical or mental health.
10. You need to use more and more of the drug, or use it more often to get the same effects. This is called tolerance.
11. You have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.

Club drug use disorder may also be called drug abuse, substance abuse, dependence, or addiction.

What is the cause?

The brain makes chemicals that affect thoughts, emotions, and actions. Club drugs change the way your body and brain work. When you use drugs, your brain starts to get used to them. As a result, you don't feel good unless you use drugs, and you may act different when you use them. When you stop using drugs suddenly, the balance of chemicals in your brain changes, which may cause the symptoms of withdrawal.

You have a higher risk of becoming dependent on drugs if you:

• Have a family history of drug or alcohol abuse
• Have abused alcohol or drugs in the past
• Are easily frustrated, have trouble dealing with stress, or feel like you aren’t good enough
• Are regularly around people who use alcohol or drugs
• Have a mental health problem
• Have constant pain

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of club drug use disorder can be mild to severe. Symptoms depend on what kind of drug you use, and how much and how often you use the drug.

Symptoms for GHB or ketamine may include:

• Trouble walking or talking
• Confusion or memory problems
• Trouble breathing or stopping breathing
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• Seizures

Symptoms for Ecstasy or methamphetamine may include:

• Sweating or shaking
• Clenching your teeth
• Muscle cramps
• Blurred vision
• Feeling very anxious
• Having trouble sleeping
• Believing things that are not true

The symptoms of withdrawal can be mild to severe. You may have some of these symptoms when you stop using drugs:

• Extreme restlessness and irritability
• Changes in your appetite or sleep
• Very strong cravings for the drug

Accidental overdoses are common. You may have seizures or go into a coma. Taking more than one kind of drug, or taking drugs and drinking alcohol increases your risk of overdose or death. Boosting, which is taking more drugs while you are high, is even riskier.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask how much and how often you use club drugs. Be honest about your drug use. Your provider needs this information to give you the right treatment. He will also ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have tests or scans to help make a diagnosis.

How is it treated?

Club drug use disorder can be treated. For any treatment to be successful, you must want to stop using drugs. Do not try to use alcohol and other drugs to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to help you get through withdrawal.

If you are abusing or dependent on club drugs and want to quit, get help.

Self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, support groups, and therapy may be helpful. Kinds of therapy may include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you look at your thoughts, beliefs, and actions, and understand which ones cause problems for you. Then you learn to change unhealthy ways of thinking and acting.
• Family therapy. Often people with substance use disorders don’t realize they have a problem or aren’t ready to accept treatment. This leaves loved ones frustrated and confused. Family therapy treats all members of the family rather than working with one person alone. It helps the whole family understand each other better and make changes.
• Substance use disorder treatment programs. Your healthcare providers and counselors will work with you to develop a treatment program. You may be able to go to therapy a few times a week. Or you may need treatment in a hospital or rehab center. You may need to stay there for several weeks, or you may be able to go to a clinic or hospital each day.

Recovery is a long-term process. Many people with substance use disorders try to quit more than once before they finally succeed. Don't give up. You can quit and quit for good. Get help and try again. Follow-up treatment is very important so that you don’t go back to using drugs.

If you have overdosed, or are having severe withdrawal symptoms you will need to be treated in a hospital. You will also be treated for any health problems such as a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening problems.

How can I take care of myself?

The best way to help yourself is to see your healthcare provider and make plans to stop using club drugs. If you are already seeing a healthcare provider, it is important to take the full course of treatment he or she prescribes.

• Get support. Talk with family and friends. Consider joining a support group in your area.
• Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax. For example take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, or take walks. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
• Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you smoke, quit. Don’t use alcohol or drugs. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
• Avoid situations where people are likely to use alcohol or drugs.
• Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of the medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take. Take all medicines as directed by your provider or therapist. It is very important to take your medicine even when you are feeling and thinking well. Without the medicine, your symptoms may not improve or may get worse. Talk to your provider if you have problems taking your medicine or if the medicines don't seem to be working.
• Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.

Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, or harming others.

People and resources in your community that can help you include your healthcare providers, therapists, support groups, mental health centers, and alcohol or substance abuse treatment programs. You may want to contact:

• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
  800-622-2255
  https://www.ncadd.org/
• The Addiction Recovery Guide
  http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/resources/recovery/