Many teens and young adults use party drugs for a variety of reasons. Some people use them to lower their inhibitions and make them feel more social. Other people use them to experience more intense euphoria than achieved with other types of drugs. However, one of the biggest dangers with most party drugs is not knowing what you are taking.
What are Party Drugs?
Party drugs, also called club drugs and designer drugs, are laboratory-made substances that alter the chemical structure of existing drugs or create entirely synthetic ones that mimic the effects of natural substances. For example, synthetic marijuana has become a popular party drug because its effects are more potent than regular marijuana.
Why do People Abuse Party Drugs?
Party drugs also use a variety of chemicals to achieve the stronger effects one experiences when using them. They affect the central nervous system and chemical reactions in the brain. Many of these man-made substances create psychoactive reactions that make people feel high.
As such, this is part of the appeal by teens and young people to experiment with party drugs. Additionally, lower amounts of the drugs are required to reach the same euphoric states as the non-synthetic or non-chemically altered substance.
People also abuse party drugs for the following reasons:
- Peer Pressure – Their friends use them, and they do not want to be left out.
- Self-Esteem Issues – These drugs can help lower inhibitions and anxiety in social situations to make one feel more outgoing.
- Experience a More Instense High – Party drugs are powerful enough to create altered realities, hallucinations, and perceived out-of-body experiences.
- Self-medicate – Some people use party drugs to self-medicate other emotional and mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, PTDS, and depression.
Types of Party Drugs
Party drugs generally fall into one or more categories, including stimulants, hallucinogens, sedatives, and inhalants. For example, MDMA is both a hallucinogen and a stimulant. Some of the more common types of party drugs misused include the following drugs, along with common street names:
- MDMA – Molly, E, Ecstasy, E, Adam, Biscuit
- Ketamine – Special K, K, Kit Kat
- Methamphetamine – Scoby Snax, Crank, Meth, Crystal Meth
- LSD – Dots, Acid, Mellow Yellow
- Synthetic Marijuana – Black Magic, Spice, Paradise, K2
- Bath Salts – White Lightning, Cloud Nine, Bloom
- U-4700 – Pinky, U4, Pink
- Alpha-PVP – Flakka
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate – Liquid X, GHB
- Rohypnol – Roofies, Pingus, Mexican Valium
Are Party Drugs Addictive?
Many party drugs alter the brain’s chemistry just like other illicit substances. Therefore, party drug abuse can lead to addiction from continued use. Furthermore, it depends on other factors, such as the type of party drug abused, the amount taken, other substances used with the party drug, and the frequency of use.
Another factor that leads to addiction is the effects of the drugs. For instance, if you feel calm, relaxed, and euphoric with a mild hallucination, and feel good about what you are experiencing, the brain will remember it as a positive experience. As a result, the brain will start to crave the party drug.
On the other hand, if you have a bad trip, where you become fearful, experience intense hallucinations, and feel like everyone is out to get you, you may never experiment with party drugs again. However, even in cases where you have a bad trip, the chemical changes in the brain could also trigger cravings.
Dangers of Party Drugs
One of the biggest dangers of party drugs is not knowing what you are taking. Manufacturers can use a wide array of chemicals and synthetic substances that are constantly changing.
In addition, these drugs can contain chemicals that are harmful to humans, such as rat poisoning and pesticides. Ingesting these things increases the risks of overdose, coma, and death. In some cases, people have died after using only once due to hazardous chemicals.
Besides coma and death, other potentially dangerous and harmful side-effects one could experience include:
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Blackouts
- Loss of consciousness
- Panic attacks
- Internal bleeding
- Emotional/mental detachment
- Irrational and erratic behaviors
- Extreme fear
Not to mention, continued substance abuse can have other undesirable effects, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Extreme weight loss or gain
- Changes in appetite
- Loss of coordination
- Memory problems
- Drug-seeking behaviors
Party Drug Addiction Treatment Program Options
As with other addictions, you have different party drug addiction treatment program options when you want help, including:
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Residential programs
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Supervised detox
- Addiction therapy
- 12-Step or similar peer support
- Dual diagnosis treatment
When selecting a program, it is essential to ensure you choose one that meets your needs and can help you overcome your party drug addiction.
Party Drug Addiction Treatment Program in Southern California
When you are ready to take the first step toward a new, sober life, Pacific Sands Recovery Center in Orange County is here to help with our customizable party drug addiction treatment programs in Southern California. For more about our party drug addiction treatment programs, including options for co-occurring conditions, contact us or visit our admissions page today.
