Club Drugs and Psychiatric Outcomes: A Descriptive Case Series from Spain

Abstract

BACKGROUND: illegal drugs significantly contribute to global health issues, with health complications often occurring not only in regular users with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) but also in first-time and occasional users. METHODS: this study examines five clinical cases from a public hospital in Ibiza, Spain, where patients presented with acute psychiatric symptoms due to recreational drug use. RESULTS: Contrary to previous studies on SUDs, our patients typically had higher education levels and stable employment. Most of them used multiple substances, with cannabis, cocaine, and alcohol being the most frequently used. There was also a common occurrence of consuming drugs with uncertain contents. Upon admission, typical symptoms included aggression, hallucinations, mood swings, and disorientation in time and space. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the significant mental health risks posed by illicit drugs, even for individuals with no prior psychiatric history. Factors like the drug's potency, frequency and amount of use, past mental health issues, personality traits, and previous traumatic experiences might influence the onset of these symptoms.