GHB, a central nervous system depressant, affects the body in much the same way as alcohol ( Gessa et al., 2000). hospitals have recently peaked at 4969 mentions in 2000 ( Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2004). High overdose rates are demonstrated in the DAWN Report, which shows that GHB emergency room mentions in U.S. Many GHB users themselves predict that other users will eventually over-dose at some point ( Degenhardt, Darke, & Dillon, 2003).
The social stigma that surrounds the use of this drug is likely related to its high overdose prevalence. While these drugs remain a popular aspect of gay social culture, GHB has been frowned upon by many club drug users because of its potentially dangerous physiological effects ( Nguyen & Bersten, 2004). Club drugs are widely used throughout the gay and bisexual male community and are often used in the context of nightclubs and bars ( Halkitis & Parsons, 2002).
In recent years, club drugs, which include MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine, powdered cocaine, ketamine, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) ( Halkitis, Green, & Mourgues, 2005 Li, Stokes, & Woeckener, 1998), have become a very popular and accepted part of gay socialization ( Green, 2003 McDowell, 2000).
