Nearly five-in-ten Canadians are suffering from party drug addiction. However, this addiction is more prevalent among youths who often attend parties. Party drugs are always present in places like house parties, raves and nightclubs. Hence, the name “party drugs”. 

Ultimately, no list covers the types of party drugs you may find at clubs. But some party drugs are more abused than others. Unfortunately, most addicts see these drugs as only a “recreational drug” but they’re more. You may not even realize you’re addicted to it.

So has the use of party drugs affected you? Do you feel you can’t party without these drugs? Or maybe you’re a club newbie and you want to try these drugs? From research, we’ve provided you with all the details about party drugs. Furthermore, we will discuss the best treatment options for party drug addiction in Vancouver.

What is Party Drug Addiction?

Party drugs are sometimes known as “Designer drugs”. These drugs are usually produced in illicit labs and sold to people at parties. They’re manufactured with several chemicals. Thus, it’s difficult to know their strength. 

Now, party drug addiction is the excessive use or abuse of party drugs. These drugs are tasteless and odourless so it’s easy for you to get addicted to them. The abuse of these substances poses a threat to your health. Plus, it still has negative effects on your life even when taken in small doses.

Related article: Reasons Why Teens Experiment with Alcohol and Drugs | Help your children

Types of Party Drugs

There are several party drugs people are addicted to. Some are less known than others while others can be very harmful to your health. Here, we’ve listed the popular party drugs you may encounter at a club.

Ecstasy (a.k.a Molly, E, Euphoria, Love doves, XTC)

This is the most popular party drug in Vancouver. It often serves as a substitute for alcohol in places where alcohol isn’t allowed. It’s usually sold in a tablet form with sticker stamps to make it look like candy. Some people take it orally while others ground it to powder for sniffing.

Since it’s manufactured in illegal labs with harmful substances like ephedrine and caffeine. It affects the brain and causes hallucinations. Several deaths of young adults have been associated with ecstasy.

Side effects of ecstasy 

• Addiction can result in weight loss, confusion, irritability and depression.
• High doses can cause anxiety, depression, paranoia and hallucinations.
• It produces after-effects like irritability, confusion and sleep problems.
• Evokes feelings of joy, euphoria, confidence and excessive energy.
• When used with all-night dancing it causes blurred vision, nausea and dehydration.

Ketamine 

Ketamine is also referred to as a “date rape drug”. It has been used in many situations of sexual assault. Users of ketamine have described it to be a “near-death” or an “out of body” floating experience. After taking this drug, you’ll become unable to move.

Ketamine is used as an anesthetic in veterinary medicine. It’s sold in liquid and powder form and it’s classified as a “dissociative anesthetic”. It can be injected, snorted or added to drinks. Despite its bad reputation for leading to rape, young adults still consume it. 

Effects of ketamine

• Temporary amnesia 
• Intense dizziness 
• Numbness
• Experience disassociation (the feeling your body is separated from your mind)
• Toxic respiratory troubles 
• High heart rate

Rohypnol ( R2, roofies, rophies, Mexican Valium, circles,)

This type of party drug is bought as a sleeping pill in Latin America and Europe. However, it’s illegal in the USA and Canada. Rohypnol is closely related to sedatives like Xanax and Valium but it’s ten times stronger than them. 

Party drug addicts take it to lose consciousness. Thirty minutes after ingestion, you’ll experience loss of memory, dizziness and a series of blackouts. Besides, if you take a high dose of it, you may blackout.

For identification, the pill is either olive green or white. Rohypnol is mostly sold in a basic bubble pack. It is ground to powder and snorted or mixed in a drink. Rohypnol dyes the colour of a light-coloured drink to blue. 

Effects of Rohypnol 

• Drowsiness 
• Shallow breathing 
• Impaired speech
• Confusion and disorientation 
• Amnesia

Alcohol 

Alcohol is the most abused substance by young adults. Yes, the drinking age is 21 but it’s very easy for teenagers and youths below the age of 21 in Vancouver to obtain alcohol. Now, the excessive intake of alcohol is called “binge drinking”.

Alcohol is usually what youths term as the “life of the party”. Therefore, it’s safe to say, many youths abuse or may even be addicted to it. It makes you high and elated. Plus a large intake of alcohol can cause loss of memory and nausea. 

Effects of Alcohol 

• Slurred speech
• Aggressive behaviour 
• Loss of memory 
• Health problems 
• Disorientation 
• Blackout 

GHB ( Liquid X, Liquid ecstasy, G)

Party drug addicts suffer the most from the use of this drug. GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) has the most acute effects of all the party drugs. This drug is odourless and colourless with a slightly salty taste. Constant abuse of it can put you in a coma.

Today, GHB is popular due to its marker as a type of “date rape drug”. This drug is usually slipped into the drink of victims without their knowledge. Hence, causing the victims to suffer the loss of memory and paralysis.

GHB leaves the body within a short time and this makes it hard to test for it in the blood. It makes you unresponsive and vulnerable to assaults. Moreover, the effects can worsen by stopping your breathing altogether.

Evidence has shown that it’s difficult for party addicts to withdraw from GHB. It’s normal for you to experience paranoia and delirium during withdrawal. However, in the case of GHB, you’ll find it difficult to withdraw without medical treatment. So, it’s ideal that you get party drug addiction treatment in Vancouver to help you with the withdrawal symptoms.

Effects of GHB

• Death
• Shaking 
• Anxiety 
• Rape

Weed (Kush, Marijuana)

You’re wrong if you think you can’t get addicted to weed. Weed is like any other party drug and you can equally get addicted to it. Although medical marijuana is legal in Canada, it is possible to abuse it. It’s usually smoked and sometimes mixed in food and drinks. 

Effects of weed

• Dizziness 
• Hallucinations 
• Euphoria 
• Loss of motor ability 
• Death 

LSD (Cid, Microdot)

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is an odourless and white powder that’s made in illicit labs. This drug is nearly invisible. It’s sold in tablets, capsules, bottling papers and gelatin sheets. Plus its packs always have cartoon sketches on them.

Effects of LSD

• Weakened muscles
• Nausea 
• Depression 
• Panic
• Hallucination induced deaths

Treatment of Party Drug Addiction 

Party drug addiction is not a death sentence and can be treated like any illness. The sooner you get treated, the better. Moreover, the harm that follows party drug abuse cannot be fixed without treatment. 

First of all, you shouldn’t quit party drugs without medical attention.  When you get medical treatment, it’s sure that you’ll recover faster. Besides, it means you’ll have a supportive environment alongside addiction specialists that’ll help you overcome your addiction. Listed below, are some of the treatment options you should get along with medical care.

• Meditation therapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Personal counselling 
• Recreational activities and many more.

To Sum up

We’re positive you can get better. Now you’re aware of the different forms of party drug addiction. Now is the time for you to take a step in the right direction.

We can help! At Addiction Healing Centre, we follow a practical approach to help patients overcome addiction. Our addiction treatment services are customized for your needs. We will help you choose the most beneficial option that’ll enable you to live a life free from addiction. Call  Inspire Change Drug Rehab in Vancouver for addiction treatment programs.