Commonly Used Drugs in the Gay Club Circuit

While many establishments in the gay club circuit remain drug-free, as clubs become more popular, drug use can become more common. Especially for gay men attending clubs alone, drugs become a means of decreasing social anxieties and inhibitions, and a shortcut to relaxation or a way to stay alert for late-night dancing and interaction.

Unfortunately, drugs used in the gay club circuit can also become highly addictive—causing many gay men to become drug dependent with repeated use. Additionally, drug use in the gay club circuit can impair judgment, leading to anonymous or unprotected sexual encounters, interpersonal conflicts, or risky drug and alcohol combinations. Fortunately, tolerant and professional inpatient rehab facilities can help those who have become dependent on drugs in the gay club scene find lasting physical and emotional freedom from drug and alcohol addiction.

Commonly Used Drugs in the Gay Club Circuit

Certain drugs tend to become more popular in the late-night, dance-driven gay club circuit. Some of these drugs are used in combination with each other, while others are often mixed with alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, many drug dealers target the gay club circuit, leading to repeated uses that often end in to full-blown addiction.

• Methamphetamines (“Meth,” “Ice,” “Tina,” “Crystal”)
  Methamphetamine use has unfortunately invaded many dance clubs in the gay community. Due to the sense of high-energy and euphoria that fuels all-night dancing and interaction, methamphetamine use also serves to lower inhibitions. Unfortunately, meth use in any community leads to risky behaviors such as needle usage and unprotected sex—and in the gay community, 20 percent of meth dependent individuals are also HIV positive.
• Cocaine (“Coke,” “Blow”)
  Cocaine remains popular among gay club circuits, largely because—like meth—coke provides energy to party while bolstering a sense of confidence and alertness. Unfortunately, cocaine remains highly addictive, and often results in conflicts due to paranoia, irritability and decreased inhibitions.
• Ketamine (“Special K”)
  Ketamine is a dissociative that is used professionally in veterinary medicine. However, it has become a popular club drug in general, and specifically within the gay club circuit. Snorted or injected, ketamine distorts perceptions of reality, while producing a sense of dissociation and detachment. This often leads to memory impairment, hallucinations and lowered inhibitions—unfortunately leading to sexual assault when victims cannot remember their experiences or resist physically.
• GHB (“Liquid Ecstasy”)
  GHB use produces sedative effects similar to drinking alcohol, while it can also produce hallucinations, psychosis and amnesia or coma in large doses. Unfortunately, the difference between a small and large dose is difficult to accurately measure and notice, leading to many accidental overdoses. As a colorless liquid, GHB has often been used as a date rape drug, leading many unsuspecting individuals within the gay community to become sexual assault victims.
• Ecstasy (“E,” “X”)
  Ecstasy has been a staple within the club circuit in general, especially at underground raves. However, it is becoming increasingly popular within the gay club circuit, due to its heightened sensation, and euphoria caused by the release of serotonin. However, alongside this sense of pleasure, ecstasy depletes the brain’s reserves of serotonin, potentially resulting in short term depressions and a decreased effectiveness over time, leading to tolerance and addiction. Ecstasy can also be dangerous due to its dehydrating effects, leading to accidental death by overheating.

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