How do I find qualified help for MDMA (“Ecstasy”) addiction?
Occasionally, a drug will return to mainstream popularity after a period of relative obscurity. MDMA, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is one example of a drug that continues to make “comebacks” so-to-speak. You may have heard of MDMA referred to by the street names of “Ecstasy” (“E” or “X”), “Molly” or “Rolls” (“rolling”).
MDMA has often been associated with the rave or club scene, and many people refer to it as a “party drug”. When a drug starts to develop a reputation for casual use, it may begin to make users believe there is nothing wrong with taking one or even multiple doses of it in order to extend the effects for hours. As a result, many users end up requiring assistance in order to break their ecstasy addiction. There are now an increasing number of ecstasy treatment centers across the country.
What are the effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”)?
The human brain contains a chemical compound called serotonin. The use of MDMA increases the release of this substance into our brain. This will cause the person to have extreme pleasurable feelings for a long period of time. The whole experience can last four to six hours or longer, depending upon how much of the substance is consumed. The release of serotonin begins the moment the MDMA enters your bloodstream.
The reason ecstasy has become so popular is because of how quickly the high develops. Effects begin approximately 20 to 90 minutes after the user ingests or snorts the pill. Between 4 to 6 hours after ingestion is when the effects of MDMA are heightened to its most potent point. After that point, the effects will slowly begin to wear off. The recovery after using ecstasy usually comes with physical exhaustion and mental confusion.
Why is MDMA addiction recovery needed?
While it may be true that pure MDMA is not directly responsible for a great deal of negative health effects, recreational use and abuse of the substance is still of great concern for the reasons outlined below:
Users risk overheating. Some users seek treatment for their ecstasy use due to overdose or overuse, but for others it is due to some of the negative and dangerous side effects of MDMA use, one of which is the tendency of the body to overheat. Ecstasy use generally occurs behind closed doors, in a group, in congested or confined spaces such as house parties, bars and nightclubs. The drug causes the user’s body temperature to rise, which can lead to seizures, liver and kidney failure or even death. Often, ecstasy is used with other substances like alcohol as well, which can cause the body to dehydrate much more quickly than its typical rate.
No indication of the drug’s “purity”. The term “Pure MDMA” leads many users to wrongly believe this drug is safe to take. Even though some users may consider is less dangerous than other drugs, that does not mean that Ecstasy use should be considered “safe”, it’s really just a delusion. Like other drugs, people selling it put other substances in it to increase the profits. Because this is what you call an underground drug, the FDA can’t oversee it and determine what it’s being cut with. Sometimes it can be as harmless as Tylenol or caffeine, but usually it’s being cut with other amphetamines or powder cocaine.
What are the long-term effects of abusing MDMA?
Even though MDMA is considered a party drug, many of the people who abuse it face the same problems of users who use cocaine and meth amphetamines do. These include mental and physical effects, meaning MDMA users need addiction treatment too.
Ecstasy affects the serotonin neurons very negatively. The neurons play an important part in regulating sleep, moods, appetite and memory. Research shows that long term use of MDMA can also cause memory problems
MDMA can cause serious anxiety, paranoia, sleep loss, and depression. Those feelings can last for weeks after an individual stops taking the substance. Physical effects include, sweating, chills, increased heart rate and blood pressure, vision problems and clenching your teeth.
60 percent of long term users of MDMA experience withdrawal symptoms. This is why we suggest seeking professional rehabilitation assistance in order to help the person avoid relapsing, as well as help them manage and control the internal issues they are experiencing.
The importance of getting treatment for MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Addiction
MDMA may seem harmless to some users, but the fact is any drug can lead to dependency or cause major mental and physical problems. There is no such thing as a “safe party drug” – no one is “cooler” when they are under the influence of a mind-altering and potentially deadly substance.. The number of people this year seeking treatment for MDMA should be enough reason to see this is a major problem.
If you or a loved one are using MDMA on a regular basis, we recommend you contact us to discuss treatment options today. There are many to choose from. The facilities focusing upon your MDMA treatment should have a goal of long-term change in order to help the patient prevent relapse, and remain determined to create a more positive future for themselves.