Commonly Used Party Drugs
Club drugs are often romanticized in the media due to their widespread use at parties, concerts, and social gatherings. Here are some of the top drugs used and abused in party settings.
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
MDMA, or methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, is a synthetic drug that changes your perception of your surroundings. Also known as molly and ecstasy, this drug produces the following sensations:
- Increased energy levels.
- Increased pleasure.
- Emotional warmth and closeness.
- A distorted sense of time.
How MDMA Affects the Brain
When MDMA is ingested, it causes changes in the brain, increasing the production of 3 neurochemicals:
- Dopamine: Increases your energy labels and acts in your brain’s “reward” system, reinforcing behaviors.
- Norepinephrine: Increases your heart rate.
- Serotonin: Improves your mood, also triggering hormones that increase sexual arousal and trust.
How MDMA Affects the Body
It’s also common for people to experience physical side effects of using MDMA. These symptoms can include:
- Nausea.
- Muscle cramps.
- Teeth clenching.
- Blurred vision.
- Chills or feeling cold.
- Sweating or feeling hot.
Methamphetamine
Also known as meth, blue, and ice — methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that has been classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule II stimulant. This means that this drug is only legally available in a non-refillable prescription. Typically, this drug is used to treat ADHD and as a short-term weight-loss treatment, although it is rarely prescribed.
This drug produces the following sensations that lead to abuse of this drug:
- More energy.
- Talkativeness.
- Increased pleasure
- A sense of well-being.
- A euphoric feeling.
- Suppressed hunger.
How Methamphetamine Affects the Brain
Methamphetamine affects the central nervous system, causing your brain to produce more dopamine than normal. When your dopamine production is too high, it can change the way your brain works.
Prolonged use of methamphetamine can lead to:
- Anxiety.
- Changes in brain structure and function.
- Memory loss.
- Sleep disorders.
- Intense paranoia.
- Hallucinations.
- Violent behavior.
How Methamphetamine Affects the Body
It’s also common for people to experience physical side effects of using methamphetamine. These symptoms can include:
- Increase alertness.
- Decreased appetite.
- Faster heartbeat,
- Faster breathing.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Higher body temperature.
Long-term physical effects of meth-use include:
- Itchy skin.
- Sore from scratching.
- Extreme weight-loss.
- Rotting teeth.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a very addictive stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America. Also known as coke and blow, cocaine leaves you feeling highly energized and overly happy and optimistic.
How Cocaine Affects the Brain
Cocaine causes your brain to produce more dopamine, making you feel happier and a sense of reward for your behaviors. However, cocaine also stops dopamine from being recycled leading to your brain’s reward center reinforcing drug-taking behaviors, leading to addiction.
Prolonged use can also lead to:
- Paranoia.
- Irritability.
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch.
How Cocaine Affects the Body
The body’s physical response to cocaine use includes:
- Nausea.
- Dilated pupils.
- Constricted blood vessels.
- Raised temperature.
- Elevated blood pressure.
- Restlessness.
- Muscle spasms.
Long-term physical effects include:
- Loss of smell.
- Asthma.
- Respiratory distress.
- Bowel decay.
- High risk of respiratory infections.
- Nosebleeds.
- Trouble swallowing.
Seeking Help for Addiction at North Georgia Recovery Center
The road to recovery starts with taking the first step. Let us walk alongside you on the path to sobriety and wellness. When you choose to get drug addiction treatment at North Georgia Recovery Center, you can rest assured knowing that you will be treated by licensed therapists in our state-of-the-art facilities. Every one of our team members is certified to address and effectively treat the issues that come along with addiction.
To schedule your free consultation with our team, call (678) 940-7873 or contact us online today.