A Brief Overview of the Clinical Pharmacology of “Club Drugs”

Abstract

Four different "club drugs" are reviewed: MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "Ecstasy"), GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), ketamine, and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam). The neurobiology, clinical pharmacology, and treatment issues for each are discussed.

Psychostimulants

“…It is not the pharmacological effect of the drug alone that enhances social behavior, but rather the interaction with social stimuli. Psychostimulant drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamine, methylphenidate, methamphetamine, and MDMA, are also used in a social context as a "social lubrication" (Britt & McCance-Katz, 2005;Ramo, Grov, Delucchi, Kelly, & Parsons, 2011) and appear effective at low-medium dose ranges (Morgan, Noronha, Muetzelfeldt, Fielding, & Curran, 2013). In addition to arousal and increased attention, people become more disinhibited and self-confident, while fatigue is suppressed, facilitating prolonged social interaction (Fischman & Schuster, 1980).…”

Club Drugs as Causal Risk Factors for HIV Acquisition Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Review

“…Solid lines represent well established pathways. environmental stimuli and on muscle control and memory that they have been reported as "date rape" drugs (e.g., GHB, flunitrazepam, and ketamine [Anglin et al, 1997;Britt and McCance-Katz, 2005;Dowd et al, 2002;Freese et al, 2002;Nicholson and Balster, 2001]). These mind and/or body-altering effects may compromise the user's ability to use or negotiate condom use.…”

Neuropsychiatric Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse

“…As a drug of abuse, it is commonly called "special K" and has been associated with a dream-like state, featuring prominent hallucinations and dissociation, colloquially referred to as "the K-hole" (Britt and McCance-Katz 2005). The liquid form of the drug is added to other material to be smoked, or the liquid is allowed to evaporate, leaving a powder that can be snorted or smoked.…”