MANILA -- Parents on social media are alarmed after a photo of colorful pills, which are supposedly various kinds of party drugs, went viral on the Internet.

This after five people died after allegedly taking drugs at the Close-Up Forever Summer event.

Based on initial reports from the police, the deaths may have been caused by a new kind of drug that has been dubbed the "dirty pill."

"Dirty (pill) kasi hindi nila alam what's inside the pill. Noong ni-check nila 'yung laman ng pills, it's a combination," wellness and integrative medicine expert Dr. Edwin Bien told DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok."

According to Bien, the "dirty pill" is a combination of different kinds of recreational drugs, most notably shabu and ecstasy.

Ecstasy, a known party drug, according to Bien, is a derivative of shabu.

"May relationship 'yung chemical used to make it. Kasi, 'yung shabu is methamphetamine, 'yung ecstasy is methylenedioxymethamphetamine. So, may relation din. Iba lang 'yung kanyang formation," Bien explained.

EFFECTS TO THE BODY

According to Bien, ecstasy gives a feeling of euphoria to the user.

"Initially, it gives you euphoria. Ine-embrace mo 'yung music. Actually, nakikita mo 'yung music," Bien said.

"'Yung music sa 'yo, dinig na dinig mo 'yung nota. Heightened sensation. Plus, very euphoric ka na love mo ang lahat ng tao," he added.

Bien explained that a common manifestation of ecstasy use is that the user suddenly becomes touchy.

"'Yan ang nagyayari sa kanila. Nagyayakapan sila kahit stranger. Nagki-kiss sila kahit stranger," Bien said.

Meanwhile, shabu gives added energy to the user.

"'Yung shabu naman, it gives you energy. Hindi ka aantukin. Hyper ka. High na high ka," he explained.

Bien noted that the effects of euphoria and added energy brought by these illegal drugs are only short-term. In just an hour, the user begins to feel its side-effects.

"'Yung shabu, later on, it will give paranoia sa tao. Akala niya, sinusundan siya. May gustong manakit sa kanya," Bien explained. "'Yung ecstasy naman, it gives depression dun sa tao later on."

According to Bien, it takes about 30 or 60 minutes for the drug to take its peak, but it won't last long before it crashes.

"When you're taking it, in a matter of 30 or 60 minutes, na-reach na niya yung peak... It will last for maybe one hour or two hours, then it will crash," Bien explained.

"Suddenly, wala na 'yung feeling ng happiness mo. Magsi-sink ka very deep na very depressed ka. Some even go into suicidal thinking," he added.

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Bien noted that it is difficult to withdraw from using recreational drugs. Although one may have the will power to stop using it, the body may not be physically ready for the repercussions.

"Initially, for the first week, may withdrawal symptoms," Bien warned. "Ayaw ng utak mo pero 'yung body mo is looking for it."

"Nanginginig ka, nag-stutter ka, nagkakaroon ka ng memory gaps and many things and you feel really horrible na gusto mo na mag-take na lang ulit para hindi mo ma-feel ‘yung horrible thing na 'yun," he explained.

Bien said that there are many ways to help a drug user to stop from using recreational drugs. One of these is going through a rehabilitation program where the user will be assisted in abstaining from taking illegal substances.