What Is Ecstasy?
In 1912, Ecstasy was first developed by Anton Kollisch, a chemist at the Merck pharmaceutical company in Germany. Ecstasy is also known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/Molly) is synthetic psychologically addictive. It is a psychoactive drug, produces high pleasure to the user. Unlike heroin, this drug does not require chemicals, since the drug causes psychological dependence. Several toxic chemicals like mercury, formaldehyde, and ammonium chloride, which is frequently used as fertilizer are used for manufacturing ecstasy. When quitting the psychologically addictive drug, the user may experience Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms like depression, psychotic behavior, drug cravings, confusion, and severe anxiety.
Ecstasy is a drug that is frequently used at nightclubs, house parties music festivals (often multi-day events with multiple artists), or raves (large dance parties).
These Are The Street Names Of Ecstasy:
- ECSTASY
- Adam
- Cadillac
- Beans
- California Sunrise
- Clarity
- E
- Essence
- Elephants
- Eve
- Hug Drug
- Love Drug
- Love pill
- Lover’s speed
- Roll
- Scooby snacks
- Snowball
- X
- XE
- XTC
Let Us Discuss The Facts And Statistics About Ecstasy
- The common drug sold as a loosely pressed pill is Ecstasy. Generic logos on these pills include Nike, stars, the devil, Mitsubishi, McDonald’s, and hearts.
- The street cost of ecstasy varies from 5 to 20 dollars per pill, depending on the amount being bought and the purity of the drug.
- Safrole-rich oil is the main precursor to ecstasy. In Cambodia, more than fourteen tons of this oil was seized in 2009.
- According to the experiments on ecstasy, they found that animals self-administer ecstasy. Than cocaine or opiates, they self-administer ecstasy less often.
- Worldwide, Ecstasy was made illegal in the year of 1986. And in 1985 it was made illegal in the USA.
- The National Survey on Drug Use and Health stated that in 2007, nearly 12.4 million people in the USA aged 12 or above tried Ecstasy at least once in their lives, representing 5% of America’s population in that age.
- According to the survey in 2007, about 6.5% of twelfth graders, 5.2% of tenth graders, and 2.3% of eighth-graders had tried this drug at least one time.
- Roughly 92% of people in America abusing Ecstasy later turn to other substances like heroin, amphetamines, marijuana, and cocaine.
- Nearly two and a half million individuals were addicted to ecstasy in 2009.
- According to the report of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 2.4% of eighth-graders have abused at least once in 2010.
- And in the same year report showed that 4.7% of high school students and 4.5% of elders have abused at least once.
- Nearly 922,000 residents in America reporting abusing ecstasy in 2011.
- According to the report of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2013, more than 17 million people in the USA have ever used ecstasy.
- And in the same year report showed that the rate of MDMA abuse is highest among the age group of 18-25, with nearly 12.8 percent reporting that has ever tried it.
- In 2015, nearly 2.66 million individuals abuse ecstasy in the US.
How Ecstasy Affects Brain And Body
Ecstasy produces euphoria in the brain by acting on neurotransmitters. It causes the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine from the neuron storage sites. Extreme mood swings, cognitive defects & loss of motor function are some of the causes of Ecstasy. When ecstasy is ingested, it interrupts the proper communication among neurons by altering the response of neurotransmitters. It can also cause the release of oxytocin & the hormone release during a sexual orgasm. Though the body is also affected by brain reactions, it’s the brain that actually craves ecstatic feelings.
Short Term And Long Term Effects Of Ecstasy
The outcomes of ecstasy can vary from individual to individual as with any substance. Since the effects of pills differ from person to person depending on the individual’s characteristics like age, physical size, gender, condition, the food they intake, Metabolism, health, expectations, and energy, the medication itself such as how much ecstasy a person has taken and how often a person has used ecstasy and the environment when using the drug.
The Short Term Effects Of Ecstasy Commonly Involve:
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Hot and cold flushes
- Dry mouth, teeth grinding and jaw clenching
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of confidence
- Anxiety
- Risen pulse rate, temperature, and blood pressure.
- Insomnia
The Long Term Effects Of Ecstasy Commonly Involve
- Depression
- Muscle aches
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
Is Ecstasy Withdrawal Hard?
A difficulty you may experience in the time of detox depends upon the following factors:
- Age Factor
- Amount of dose ingested
- State of physical & mental health
- Usage Frequency
The persons who have been experiencing high doses of ecstasy will find it difficult in the withdrawal phase than the ones who have been used occasionally. Especially if the person who used ecstasy is struggling or experience with mental health, then the withdrawal will be even harder.
Is Ecstasy Withdrawal Dangerous?
After continuous use of Ecstasy, the brain of the user becomes dependent on ecstasy. The addict has to go through the withdrawal process as they quit taking the drug. During withdrawal, the user may experience difficulties based on their stage of addiction. Moreover, they use to feel depression, anxiety, decreased appetite & insomnia. When the ecstasy is taken away, the brain feels empty since the drug releases a large amount of serotonin. This depletion not only causes the above-mentioned Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms but also cause relapse as some addicts fail to understand how to overcome ecstasy.
Ecstasy is usually practiced as a pill (‘tablet’) which is swallowed. <>bWhen you or your loved swallows the pill, within about 30 to 90 minutes the effects become apparent, and this drug can last up to 6-8 hours.
Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms
Ecstasy withdrawal can cause serious psychological signs, causing the user to feel discomfort physically. Moreover, the physical effects are mild and not life-threatening Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms.
Signs that may come under Ecstasy withdrawal are:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Changes in self-perception
- Agitation
- Cravings
- Depression
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Memory problems
Ecstasy is often evaded with other drugs since the users often take ecstasy along with other drugs namely ketamine or amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, or LSD. It’s hard to know what’s there in the pill of ecstasy and so the users take ecstasy along with other drugs that cause complicated Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms. Relapse through the withdrawal process is dangerous since the user’s tolerance has decreased. If they started to use the same amount of ecstasy, then they are at risk since the overdose can be fatal.
A medical detox facility or rehab facility is recommended for the users to complete their withdrawal process since they feel difficult to overcome on their own.
Duration Of Withdrawal:
The duration of the process will vary for everyone, as the Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms generally arise within a few days of halting the drug & last about a week.Depression & cravings which are severe psychological Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms may continue for weeks to months.
Basic Ecstasy Withdrawal Timeline
Days 1- 3
Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms peak within a few days of quitting and may cause anxiety, insomnia, irritability, paranoia, and depression that may occur quickly & intensely.Users feel tired both mentally & physically and may lose their appetite too.
Days 4-10
Moreover, the Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms may last around a week & will become less at the end of the time. Sleeping problems, depression, cravings, difficulty concentrating may persist.
Days 11 and more
The user’s brain will be in progress to readjust and so the depression would be high over the next few weeks. Though the Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms may fade, it takes nearly weeks or months for the users to be entirely free of withdrawal effects.
Ecstasy Detox
Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms may be stressful and a user without proper care may under the risk of relapse during the withdrawal process. Detox is offered by many rehab centers with inpatient & outpatient treatment facilities. Acquiring medically assisted detox may avoid relapse and continuous monitoring by physicians helps the ecstasy user to go through the withdrawal. The doctors may assist to overcome the psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Medical detox is the safest way for the ecstasy users in the path to sobriety since the physicians can monitor and intervene if any severe symptom occurs.
Treatment For Ecstasy Addiction
Those who are coping with an addiction to ecstasy normally find their best chance at healing comes from inpatient treatment. We had listed treatment centers, providing a safe and controlled environment that supports the ecstasy users in the path of recovery. The centers provide treatment based on individual needs and they also offer Outpatient treatment for those who can’t attend inpatient rehab.
Bottom Line
Substance dependence on drugs or alcohol is a growing and deadly disease, like many other CNS depressants, ecstasy can also be dependent if abused. If you or someone you love is grappling or experiences dependence on ecstasy, you can find multiple treatment options to rehabilitate your life. There are several treatment centers in the USA, all of which utilize certified treatment programs to support people by making them focus on what’s important while in treatment and start living healthy and successful lives with abusing ecstasy.