[Party and designer drugs : From ecstasy and crystal meth to angel's trumpet]

Abstract

Background: The growing abuse of party and designer drugs increases the number of emergency cases related to drug consumption.

Objectives: Presentation of the scenario as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of emergency management and characterization of the most frequently abused drugs and its effects.

Materials and methods: Evaluation of drug statistics, and work-up and discussion of expert publications and recommendations.

Results: In 2014, there were 1032 drug-related deaths, which is 3 % more incidents than in 2013. However, there is a drastically and steadily increasing consumption of newer enhancing drugs such as crystal meth. Throughout Europe, there are about 1500 designer drugs that are disguised as so-called spice mixtures or bath salts. In addition to stimulating substances, hallucinogenic and sedative drugs are also consumed. Common nonspecific symptoms of emergency drug overdose are psychosis, impaired consciousness, seizures, and disorders of various internal organs. Based on the clinical presentation, different neurotransmitter syndromes can be distinguished and the drug etiology can be diagnosed and proven by laboratory assays. Therapy includes symptom-oriented measures.

Conclusions: Knowledge of different party and designer drugs and their complications enables prompt emergency management.

Keywords: Crack cocaine; Drug overdose; Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions; Emergencies; Street drugs.