Review: The involvement of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in reported sexual assaults: a systematic review

Abstract

Over the past few years gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has generated widespread media interest as a possible 'date rape drug'. Our goal was to examine the extent to which GHB is associated with drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Literature was searched systematically and 11 studies, published between 1961 and June 30, 2009, were identified dealing specifically with the role of GHB in sexual assaults. GHB was detected in 0.2-4.4% of reported sexual assaults. The results demonstrate that a wide range of drugs may be present in cases of sexual assault, and many of them are much more frequent than GHB. Our results do not support the widespread labelling of GHB as a date rape drug as the prevalence of GHB is much lower than of other substances used in sexual assaults. On the other hand, however, the possible risk of GHB in this regard should not be neglected. Nevertheless, over-sensitive and sensation seeking media reports focusing on the association of sex crime and GHB might be counterproductive and misleading as they turn the attention away from other substances that are often used in sexual assaults.

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD; BDO): A literature review with a focus on UK fatalities related to non-medical use

“…It is used particularly in the latter population because of its energy boost and increase in libido (Palamar and Halkitis, 2006), as well as to relax (muscles) and give more confidence (Bourne et al, 2014), as well as to facilitate sex-work and 'chem-sex' (Durgahee et al, 2014). GHB, GBL and similar substances have also been linked to cases of so-called 'date-rape' reported by the media, both in the USA, Europe (Andresen et al, 2010;Németh et al, 2010) and the UK, including a recent case where GHB/GBL was administered with the Novel Psychoactive Substance DOC (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine) (Bennett, 2014); inaccurately in some instances (EMCDDA, 2008;Hagemann et al, 2013;Sturman, 2000). More recently, the industrial solvent NMP (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone) or more accurately its metabolites have been identified in cases of sexual assault in Europe (DPA, 2013).…”

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB): an emerging substance of abuse

“…It is stated that besides the effects such as euphoria, giving energy, increasing sexual desire, and sociality, lack of side effects such as night falling, the ease of production and selling at low prices makes it preferable (8,9). According to literature; especially teenagers (9) and homosexual and bisexual population, given that widespread use (10).…”

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault and That the Problems in Turkey

“…Ek olarak GHB vücut geliştirenler tarafından da sıkça kullanılır. Çünkü büyüme hormonu üretimini teşvik eder ve vücuttaki yağ miktarını azaltır [20]. 1990'ların sonundan itibaren GHB, likit ekstazi, likit E, likit X fantezi gibi isimlerle anılan popüler bir parti ilacı haline gelmiştir.…”

“…Kenevir yaygınlığı %18,2 ile %25,6 arasında, kokain yaygınlığı ise %7,7 ile %10,8 arasında bulunmuştur [51]. Cinsel saldırı kurbanlarında GHB yaygınlığı Amerika da yapılan 4 çalışmaya göre cinsel saldırı vakalarında %3 ile %4,4 arasında belirlenmiştir [52][53][54][55].…”