Focus on Adolescent Use of Club Drugs and "Other" Substances.
Pediatric clinics of North America – December 01, 2019
Source: PubMed
Summary
Many adolescents are experimenting with an alarming array of substances, from custom-designed club drugs and hallucinogens to inhalants and otc substances. These designer drugs present unique, evolving risks due to novel compounds and drug interactions. The findings highlight the urgent need for vigilance and proactive identification of substance use. Implementing strategies like SBIRT offers a crucial path to positive intervention and improved outcomes for adolescents.
Abstract
Club drugs and "other" abusable substances are briefly overviewed as a reminder about the wide variety of known and unknown substances used by adolescents, the high potential for direct and interactive substance use effects to manifest acutely and chronically, and the vigilance needed to anticipate and recognize the new effects and drug-drug interactions arising as novel substances continue to be custom "designed," manufactured, and marketed to meet substance use trends. This article discusses dextromethorphan, flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), gamma-hydroxybutyrate, inhalants, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, phencyclidine, Salvia divinorum (salvia), synthetic cannabinoids, and synthetic cathinones (bath salts).