6 minutes
The best way to avoid addictions is by preventing their appearance. This applies to designer drugs, which also create dependency.
Designer drugs are psychostimulant substances that are produced in laboratories. It would be more accurate to say that it is synthetic drugs or industrially made, but they are known as designer drugs.
Most of these designer drugs are derivatives of amphetamines. They have the appearance of colored tablets, so they are very easy to purchase and transport. They are generally consumed by teenagers.
Designer drugs have an attractive appearance and are easy to take. Various myths have been generated around them, such as that they are harmless or that they do not cause addiction. In addition, they have become a factor of identity and facilitators of socialization.
What are designer drugs?
Designer drugs are substances that, when introduced into the body, cause a disturbance of the nervous system. Its main characteristic is that they are prepared in a laboratory, from chemical substances that are not found in their natural state.
Designer drugs have the potential to produce dependence or addiction. They began to be produced after the prohibition of the consumption of certain psychoactive substances in the United States was imposed in the 1960s.
This led to the creation of a series of clandestine laboratories that they made variations on prohibited drugs. As long as they were new products that were not on the banned list, they managed to evade the law.
Today, designer drugs are used mostly by people between the ages of 16 and 24. They are inexpensive and that is why they are available to many, which is why they have become popular.
How are they obtained?
Designer drugs are derivative or analogous preparations of existing drugs. What the designers is to modify the chemical structure of such drugs, or to obtain the new drugs through precursors that can be drugs.
These types of drugs pose a serious danger, as they are manufactured under uncontrolled conditions. That is why it is very difficult to know what is the percentage of active ingredient that each pill contains.
There is also no regulation on the toxicity of precursors or reagents. that are used in their manufacture or on intermediate products. Likewise, it is not possible to know the type of chemical reactions that they involve when they are combined with alcohol.
Effects and consequences of designer drugs
Although all psychoactive drugs carry great risks, designer drugs are more dangerous due to the multiple variations that each pill can have. To illustrate the issue, let’s see the classification of this type of drug, according to its effect.
Phenylethylamines
These correspond to hallucinogenic amphetamines, derived from methoxyamphetamines. Within this group, the best known is ecstasy, which we will see separately. However, some popular designer drugs are also part of it, such as the following:
- MDA or drug of love.
- MDEA or Eva.
- MMDA.
- Crystal methamphetamine, meth or speed.
In general, they cause a state of heightened alertness, which is sometimes prolonged. They also provoke euphoria or joy in socialization, they reduce the feeling of exhaustion, sleepiness and hunger. They increase empathy and sometimes cause altered perception and hallucinations.
MDMA or ecstasy
This is the best known of the designer drugs. It is part of the group of phenylethylamines.
Like other substances of this type, increases euphoria and empathy. It also increases libido and can cause alterations in perception and hallucinations.
Aryl-Cyclo-Alkyl-Amines
Within this classification are the designer drugs known as dissociative. They get that name because they generate feelings of isolation and separation from the environment; even oneself. They can also cause delirium, hallucinations, agitation, and violent behavior.
Within this group there are well-known drugs, such as ketamine hydrochloride and the phencyclidine analog, better known as PCP or angel dust. They are very dangerous, since they enhance the effect of other substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines.
GHB – Gamma hydroxy butyric acid – Sodium oxybate
These substances, like the previous ones, are anesthetic agents. Within this group, the most prominent is a drug known as liquid ecstasy. Actually, its original form is powder, but mixed with water and sold in bottles.
This is another of the designer drugs that generates euphoria, but also a feeling of intoxication, relaxation and drowsiness. At the same time, it helps to prolong the waking state. If consumed with alcohol, sedatives and opioids it can cause overdose and lead to death.
Poppers
The poppers they are also very popular. They are sold in small bottles, similar in appearance to energy drinks. Labels often have names like liquid incense, air freshener, leather cleaner.
They have a strong odor and are administered by inhalation. They are consumed to increase sexual pleasure. They cause a burst of pleasant sensations. If the liquid is swallowed or inhaled, the effects can be very serious.
Dangers and prevention with designer drugs
All designer drugs are dangerous for a variety of reasons. They cause a high stimulation of the nervous and locomotor system, so that this translates into a significant rise in body temperature. In turn, this can lead to heatstroke, multi-organ failure, and death.
Likewise, they generate physical and psychological addiction. This is very powerful and long term. Chronic anxiety, deep depression, and other mental disorders may develop.
In addition to the action of the authorities, the best way to prevent the consumption of designer drugs is through a combined educational action between the family and the school. Both scopes should promote emotional education to strengthen autonomy and develop psychosocial skills.
Often times, young people access designer drugs in order to deceptively increase their social skills. Also due to peer pressure.
These designer drugs are within the reach of young people and this is very difficult to avoid. Therefore, actions to avoid its consumption should focus on strengthening the information in this regard and educating in values.
It might interest you …