Ecstasy is one of the most common club or party drugs, but many of those taking it don’t realize it is addictive until it is too late.
Understanding Ecstasy
Ecstasy, the chemical 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is a synthetic drug that changes mood and perception similarly to stimulants and mild hallucinogens. Under the influence of ecstasy, a person may perceive objects and environments differently, experience pleasure, warmth, heightened energy, and a warped sense of time. Those who also take the drug may experience a distorted sensory perception.
Ecstasy and Molly
Molly and ecstasy are two forms of the same drug. Ecstasy is usually a tablet while molly is a powder. Either way, MDMA is a controlled substance with no accepted medical purpose that is mostly smuggled into the United States from Europe. It is almost exclusively used for recreational purposes. Ecstasy first turned up at clubs, raves, and dance parties but it has since spread into wider use.
Because it is not a legal drug, most ecstasy and molly users cannot know the exact composition of what they are taking. It rarely is pure MDMA, and sometimes contains no MDMA at all. According to reports from an independent lab and the Australian Federal Police, other substances found in ecstasy samples include:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- LSD
- Amphetamine
- Caffeine
- Rat poison
- Veterinary anesthetics
- Crushed glass
Ecstasy changes mood and perception, and repeated use may lead to addiction, but it has other short-term and long-term effects:
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Signs of Ecstasy Intake
There are many reasons why people take ecstasy or molly as their choice of drug. For some people, the drug can bring out their ‘confident’ side, making them more sociable in parties and other events. When one is under the influence of this substance, the most notable signs include:
- Dilated pupils. The pupil is enlarged, making the iris seem smaller.
- No sense of pain. Someone on ecstasy may not notice an injury because they don’t feel it.
- More energy: The individual is more talkative, more active, and cannot fall asleep for hours later than usual.
- Tactile. Because ecstasy heightens the senses, the individual may suddenly want to touch and be touched.
- Paranoia: Due both to the possible chemicals mixed with the MDMA and a lack of sleep, ecstasy users may become paranoid or confused.
The Dangers of Ecstasy
Since ecstasy is considered an illicit drug with no known medical use, the dangers of using it are quite numerous. Some of it include:
Engaging in risky behavior
Upon taking ecstasy, people often experience increased extroversion and confidence, coupled with a lack in the sense of danger, making them more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including unprotected promiscuous sex. This increases the user’s chances of physical injury, contracting a sexually transmitted disease, and death.
Ecstasy and molly with alcohol
Combining ecstasy and alcohol can lead to potentially lethal consequences, such as:
- Kidney failure
- Cardiac collapse
- Seizures
- Coma.
Ecstasy overdose
Like any other illicit drug, ecstasy use carries the risk of overdose, possibly fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing an ecstasy overdose, contact emergency services immediately. Symptoms include seizures, vomiting, loss of consciousness, overheating and dehydration.
Addiction to Ecstasy
Although the risk of addiction to ecstasy is lower than other powerful drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine, there is still a risk of dependence or addiction following heavy or consistent usage. Some common signs of ecstasy addiction include:
- Changes in social behavior. They stop hanging out with old friends in favor of people and events where ecstasy is available.
- Newly irresponsible. They stop fulfilling their duties at home, work or school, and among their friends.
- Caches of drugs. You find bags or bottles of unlabeled pills or sachets of powder secreted in their rooms.
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Ecstasy and other drugs
Taking any drug may be harmful to the body but combining it with other drugs increases the risk of dangerous interactions, damage to the body and mind, overdose, and death. Among ecstasy users, 92% also use other drugs including LSD, cocaine, heroin, and inhalants.
Some dangerous interactions include:
- Ecstasy and Alcohol: Kidney damage. Mixing the two is highly taxing on the kidneys.
- Ecstasy and Amphetamines: Cardiac arrest. “Ecstasy” may potentially contain amphetamines, so a double dosage can create drug intolerance, placing a strain on the entire circulatory system, causing overheating and dehydration.
- Ecstasy and Nicotine: More smoking. people who use ecstasy and smoke tend to smoke more, increasing the risk of respiratory disease and cancer.
Ecstasy Statistics
Recent studies about ecstasy found that:
- Almost 7% of teenagers and adults aged 12 above have used ecstasy at least once in their life.
- 1% of the population have used ecstasy over the previous year.
- 0.2% of users reported using the drug over the past month.
- Ecstasy use has been steady since 2009, with a general decline among adolescents.
- In 2011, around 22,000 emergency visits were related to ecstasy use, double what they were in 2004.
- 65% of ecstasy users are male.
- Ecstasy is addictive, although the risk is lower than for many other drugs of abuse.
Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction
Treating an addiction to any drug, even ecstasy, can be challenging because addiction changes your brain. Once dependence sets in, to stop use triggers withdrawal symptoms. With some drugs, these symptoms can be painful, even life-threatening. Ecstasy withdrawal is usually not that extreme, but the symptoms can last a week and include insomnia, anxiety, depression, impulsiveness, aggression, interest in sex, memory, attention span, and appetite.
Some of the effective ways to prevent ecstasy withdrawal problems include:
Detox
The first step in any addiction treatment is to stop using the drug for long enough that it is no longer in your body. If you can’t do that on your own, then may rehab centers offer medically monitored detox at an inpatient facility, so you have no temptation or opportunity to resume using the drug. For some drugs, medications exist that can assist sobriety or even flush the drugs from your system. While there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved medications to treat MDMA addiction, MDMA detox may be an option.
Seeking professional help
Drug rehab centers consist of professionals such as doctors, nutritionists, mental health counselors, and others who use scientific, evidence-based strategies to get you back on the path to sobriety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to understand your addiction and teach healthier coping skills is an essential element of most plans, but each plan is tailored to your particular needs and addiction.
Commitment
The decision to be drug-free rests on your shoulders. “Just Say No” is not an effective drug rehab or prevention in itself, but one cannot begin to become sober without the personal decision to say “no” to drugs and “yes” to recovery. By seeking help, going to detox centers, and consulting medical professionals, you move a step closer to developing good personal goals and healthy habits to overcome addiction.
Get Help for Your Ecstasy Addiction Now
If you or an acquaintance is struggling with an addiction to ecstasy, you must look for help right away. At Mountain Springs Recovery, our counselors can help you to find the best treatment option. Don’t wait any longer. Take the first step to recovery by calling us now.