Chili Drugs: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine, and Agents Taken in Similar Patterns

Abstract

Abstract Club drugs are typically taken by groups of people during raves. Raves are parties where the opportunity to dance to very loud, rhythmic music while under the influence of one or more drugs is the primary attraction. Needless to say, most users of club drugs under these conditions are young and single. Club drugs are usually taken periodically; several of them may be taken three to four times over the course of an 8-hour rave, and then they may not be taken again until the next opportunity to attend such a party. This is quite different from the pattern of opioid, nicotine, or alcohol abuse, where drug-seeking and drug-taking occur several times per day for months or years, or from the pattern of cocaine and methamphetamine abuse, where the drug may be taken as frequently as possible for several days of profound intoxication. In most cases, even periodic club drug use does not continue for more than a few years. For all but a few individuals, there is little indication that it is difficult to stop using these drugs. Some of the drugs, MDMA in particular, lose their ability to change the perceptions of some users in interesting ways, and these people effortlessly stop taking them. For these reasons, club drugs meet the criteria for abuse, but usually do not meet the criteria for addiction as these terms were defined in Chapter 1. Physiological dependence on some club drugs is possible, as noted below, but is rarely observed in people who take them only twice each week.