Surgeon General in 2005 issued an advisory stat-
ing that there is no safe threshold for alcohol con-
sumption during pregnancy and that the risk for
FAS and related conditions increases with the
amount and frequency of alcohol a woman con-
sumes during pregnancy.
See also ALCOHOLISM; PRENATAL CARE; SUBSTANCE
ABUSE TREATMENT.
flunitrazepam A hypnotic DRUG with sedative
actions and effects similar to those of other BENZO-
DIAZEPINES. Flunitrazepam, better known by its
brand name Rohypnol or its slang names ropies
and roofies, is not legal in the United States,
though it is manufactured as a legal drug in other
countries. As a drug of abuse flunitrazepam is
popular at parties and in clubs. Taken alone it pro-
duces a euphoric INTOXICATION. When combined
with ALCOHOLflunitrazepam causes incapacitation
and amnesia of events that take place while the
drug combination is active in the body. Because of
this interaction flunitrazepam has gained notori-
ety as a “date rape” drug. The risks for DEPENDENCE
and ADDICTIONare moderate.
See also CLUB DRUGS; DEPRESSANTS; DETOXIFICATION;
SCHEDULED DRUGS; WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME.
gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) An illicit DRUG
with depressant and anabolic effects in the body,
depending on the amount and frequency taken.
GHB originally gained popularity among body-
builders and athletes for whom STRENGTHand MUS-
CLEmass are important. Though not a HORMONE,
GHB has anabolic effects—that is, it causes an
increase in both the number and size of voluntary
muscle cells. Its sedative qualities also make GHB
an effective sleep aid for people also using other
anabolic steroids, which tend to cause sleep distur-
bances.
As a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMdepressant, GHB
functions as a hypnotic with moderate sedating
action. Combining GHB with ALCOHOL greatly
intensifies this action, resulting in rapid and deep
sleep with amnesia; the person does not remember
events that occur during the INTOXICATIONperiod. As
a consequence GHB has acquired notoriety as a
“date rape” drug, used to unknowingly intoxicate
others for the purpose of SEXUAL ASSAULT.
GHB is a schedule 1 drug in the United States,
indicating that it has no known therapeutic use. A
legal, uncontrolled GHB precursor to is 1,4-
butanediol, a chemical commonly available as an
industrial solvent. 1,4-butanediol metabolizes to
GHB after ingestion and has the same effects in
the body. Efforts are under way in the United
States to reclassify 1,4-butanediol to restrict its
availability as well.
See also ANABOLIC STEROIDS AND STEROID PRECUR-
SORS; CLUB DRUGS; DEPRESSANTS; HYPNOTICS.glutethimide A hypnotic DRUG first used as a
substitute for BARBITURATESto treat insomnia and
other SLEEP DISORDERS. Glutethimide (brand name
Doriden) is highly addictive, and, like barbiturates,
poses a significant risk for life-threatening symp-
toms when taken in excessive amounts. TOLERANCE
to the drug (increased amount necessary to pro-
duce the same effect) occurs after about a week of
regular use; DEPENDENCEmay develop after three
weeks of regular use. Stopping the drug suddenly
after three weeks or longer of regular use often
results in withdrawal symptoms that may require
medical treatment. Because of its high risk for
ADDICTIONand OVERDOSE, glutethimide is a schedule
2 drug in the United States and requires a physi-
cian’s prescription for legal possession and use.
Few physicians prescribe glutethimide, however,
because other sedatives and hypnotics are as effec-
tive with fewer side effects and lower risk for
addiction.
See alsoHYPNOTICS; PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE; SUB-
STANCE ABUSE TREATMENT; WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME.336 Substance Abuse