NCJ Number
210976
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 9-10 Dated: 2005 Pages: 1189-1201
Date Published
2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article reviews and briefly summarizes up-to-date literature on the clinical pharmacology of four “club drugs”: MDMA, GHB, ketamine, and Rohypnol.
Abstract
The term “club drugs” refers to a group of drugs used primarily by young adults often at all night dance parties, called “raves” that take place in nightclubs. The United States Department of Justice, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) identifies four specific club drugs: MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, “ecstasy”), GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), ketamine, and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam). This article briefly summarizes current literature on the clinical pharmacology of these four “club drugs” related to humans. The article reviews three areas for each drug: neurobiology, clinical pharmacology, and treatment. Club drugs encompass a variety of medications in several different drug classes. One of the challenges presented by club drugs is the changing face of the “club drug” environment which is associated with the use of multiple drugs and new drugs that defy the development of specific interventions. The gaps in literature are due to the nature of researching substance misuse. It is suggested that future research continue to develop creative ways to investigate outcomes and treatments related to this problem that disproportionately affects youth. References