sodium-oxybate and Amphetamine-Related-Disorders

Recreational drug use continues to be prevalent in many social settings. These drugs are alleged to enhance sociability and liberate inhibitions, allowing the user to experience feelings of euphoria. This article reviews recreational drugs that have gained notoriety in the 1990s including gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), flunitrazepam, and amphetamine analogues such as 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA). Topics discussed include history, drug use and misuse, clinical presentation and treatment, and laboratory analysis.

Topics: Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Flunitrazepam; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Sodium Oxybate; Substance-Related Disorders

Research connecting club drug use to risky sex among gay/bisexual men (GBM) contains methodological issues that have limited knowledge about the relative risks of distinct drugs. This paper reports drug use and sexual behavior data from 197 GBM who frequented at least one party venue within 3 months of participating. Alarming rates of drug use and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with casual sex-partners were reported in connection with time spent at a bar, club or circuit party. Structural equation modeling revealed that use of methamphetamine, gammahydroxybutrate (GHB), and/or ketamine (K), but not use of ecstasy, at a party venue helped explain likelihood of UAI with a casual sex-partner while under the influence of a drug during/following time partying (β = 0.41, p < .01). Findings suggest use of methamphetamine, GHB and/or K at party venues increases risk for subsequent UAI with casual sex-partners. Study implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Topics: Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Bisexuality; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Ketamine; Male; Methamphetamine; Middle Aged; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; Risk Factors; Social Behavior; Sodium Oxybate; Substance-Related Disorders; Unsafe Sex; Young Adult

Topics: Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Cocaine-Related Disorders; France; Heroin Dependence; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Marijuana Abuse; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; Sodium Oxybate; Substance-Related Disorders

Two hundred and forty-seven serum samples which have been collected by police during roadside testing and have been found positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and/or 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDE) were analyzed for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Serum samples were spiked with deuterated GHB as internal standard and acetonitrile was added to achieve dilution and protein precipitation. Samples were analyzed with a LC-MS/MS system operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) using a TurboIonSpray source. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Synergi Polar RP column applying a gradient elution with a runtime of 15 min. To differentiate between endogenous and exogenously administered GHB a cut-off concentration of 10 microg/mL was applied. Five samples exceeded this concentration and were found positive for GHB. These samples were only found positive for amphetamine but no other amphetamine derivatives were detected, while in three samples THC and in one sample cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ethanol were found.

Topics: Adjuvants, Anesthesia; Adolescent; Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Amphetamines; Automobile Driving; Central Nervous System Depressants; Cocaine; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Ethanol; Female; Forensic Toxicology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Male; Sodium Oxybate; Substance Abuse Detection

Although there has been much empirical research documenting current trends in club drug use among gay and bisexual men, little research has addressed the variance among lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual women. Using data collected through time-space sampling from dance clubs in New York City during 2005 (N=1104), this study explored sexual identity variance among women in the reported use of six club drugs: methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, GHB, and LSD. Significant differences were found in that younger women were more likely to be active club drug users. Lesbian and bisexual women reported significantly higher lifetime rates of ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, and LSD use compared to heterosexual women. These data suggest a need to better understand the influence of sexual orientation and sexual culture in relation to club drug use and to tailor health promotion efforts to meet the needs of various groups of club drug using women.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Bisexuality; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Female; Gender Identity; Homosexuality, Female; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Ketamine; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Methamphetamine; Middle Aged; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; New York City; Sexuality; Sodium Oxybate; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Canada; Culture; Dancing; Female; Hallucinogens; Humans; Music; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; Rape; Sodium Oxybate; Substance Abuse Detection; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Amphetamine; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Cocaine; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Denmark; Drug Overdose; Hallucinogens; Humans; Illicit Drugs; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; Sodium Oxybate; Substance-Related Disorders