It would not be a surprise if you know someone with Ecstasy addiction or  has tried it because of its continued popularity and availability. And it is heartbreaking to know of a  person’s ecstasy addiction. Dependence on Ecstasy has harmful effects on the user’s behavior, physical well-being, and quality of life. Here at Stonegate Center, we have the expertise to address, manage and treat dependence on substance abuse. Our team works closely with the patient employing methodologies that are scientific, humane, and tried successfully. But first, let us take a closer look on Ecstasy to fully understand the hows and the whys of this illegal substance.

What is Ecstasy Exactly?

MDMA was initially intended as treatment for certain kinds of psychological disorders, such as PTSD, due to its calming effect. However, potential issues were found with the use of MDMA and hence, its use for treatment was discontinued until further investigation. MDMA is mostly smuggled from Canada to the US where it is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. With such classification, this means there is no accepted medicinal use for MDMA and has high potential to be abused.

Double Whammy

Ecstasy is mainly MDMA but tests showed that some pills also contain other dangerous drugs as ingredients. These include ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, over-the-counter cough suppressant dextromethorphan, ephedrine, caffeine, and even rat poison. Ecstasy users rarely take it on its own. Oftentimes, it is also combined with alcohol or marijuana. Ecstasy has proven to be harmful and fatal if taken in combination with other substances. The risk of overdose is also high.

Meant to Abuse

Ecstasy addiction came on the rise among users and most likely introduced during rave parties. Its popularity peaked in the 1990s. Ecstasy comes as a colorful pill and attracted users with its design. There are also many ways that Ecstasy is consumed. Ecstasy dependents either pop the tablet, crush and snort, or smoke.  Some ecstasy users also do what is termed as “stacking”, taking a couple of tablets at once or by “piggy-backing” wherein a series of pills are taken consecutively in a short period of time, to maximize the effect.

High on Effects

No matter how users take Ecstasy, the effects remain the same. Ecstasy addiction brings a feeling of peace, calm, happiness, and uninhibited. This is because Ecstasy boosts the users’ sensory experience, providing sharper sight, hearing, smelling and even touching. Some of the effects of Ecstasy are:

• Heightened senses, including pleasure from physical touch
• Feeling of euphoria
• Heightened sexual arousal
• Calmness
• Robust energy
• Empathy for others and being sensitive
• Less inhibited

But good things don’t last. The euphoria with Ecstasy addiction may last anywhere from five to eight hours. The crash after the “high” takes longer – days even. Ecstasy mainly triggers neurotransmitters like serotonin responsible for us feeling pleasure or happiness. Hence, the user will find it hard to maintain the euphoria once the effect subsides. In cases of depleted serotonin levels, the following gets triggered:

• Insomnia
• Poor memory
• Worrying or stressing about something
• Depression
• Confusion
• Increased desire to take more Ecstasy

The use of Ecstasy also brings unwanted effects to the body such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tension, tightness in mouth and jaw, tremors, sweating, nausea, faintness, chills, and blurred vision.

The Highs and Lows

After going through the highs and lows of Ecstasy addiction, users (or their loved ones) might want help in overcoming dependence. At Stonegate Center, there are programs to help dependents in their journey towards an Ecstasy-free life. Just at the outskirts of Fort Worth, Texas, Stonegate Center’s masters-level clinicians and relatable Recovery Advocates can help.

An Ecstasy addict who decides to end dependence will need help in dealing with the range of emotions and possible unwanted effects. There is no doubt that treatment is needed to help abstain from Ecstasy and dealing with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The treatment for ending Ecstasy addiction is multi-layer and would consist of assessment, medical care, therapy, social support from family and friends, and social support groups.

Call for Help

Once decided to battle Ecstasy dependence, you or a loved one should take the first step towards recovery and reach out. It’s better to seek early intervention than wait until it’s too late. Substance abuse ruins lives, relationships, families, careers and causes serious health problems. Help is only a call away, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. It’s better to address addiction early on before it spirals out of control. We urge you to visit our contact page or call our 24/7 helpline at (817) 993-9733 as your first step towards recovery.

Get Treatment in 4 Easy Steps

Stonegate Center accepts many major insurance carriers. We strongly believe that the cost of drug and alcohol addiction treatment should not prevent you from getting the rehab care you need. Our admissions team will work directly with your insurance company to ensure you maximize your benefits.