‘Legal highs’ and other ‘club drugs’: why the song and dance?

Abstract

Patterns of drug use are changing, with an increase in the use of a new group of psychoactive substances known as ‘club drugs’. Comprising both legal and illegal drugs, many club drugs can be purchased online, increasing their availability. The harmful consequences are now emerging and include severe affective and psychotic symptoms as well as physical symptoms such as ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis. Psychiatrists need to consider club drugs as a precipitating factor for psychiatric presentation. This editorial will describe the more common substances and their effects.