MDMA Addiction Treatment and Rehab

Ecstasy or MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a powerful stimulant synthetic drug that is used recreationally, most often in club or party settings. Ecstasy has psychoactive properties and produces intense feelings of euphoria, empathy, increased energy, and an increased desire for social bonding.

In pill or tablet form, it is usually referred to as ‘ecstasy’ and is likely to contain a cocktail of other substances. In powdered form, the drug is usually referred to as MDMA and is typically snorted or dabbed on the gums.

Ecstasy use is commonplace among club-goers. Statista reports that in 2019, there were over 2.5 million users of ecstasy in the U.S. in the past year. For many, it is merely another part of the weekend. Unfortunately, many users may not realize the dangers that come with frequent use. While some people can use ecstasy on occasion and not suffer any dire consequences, for others, it can become a problem.

The journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence reports that, over time, a person can become psychologically dependent on ecstasy, and the feelings of joy and social connection that the drug provides may become difficult to live without. Those who face difficulty dealing with the comedown may seek out more ecstasy to sustain their high.

According to the Journal of Psychopharmacology, as a person continues to take ecstasy, they build a physical tolerance to the drug, and the potential for addiction varies between individuals. This means that more ecstasy needs to be taken to achieve the desired effects, and as more is taken, the brain becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug. The Institute of Medicine explains that neural pathways are formed in the brain’s reward center that make a person prioritize ecstasy use over other areas of life, even personal responsibilities such as work or school.

Ecstasy’s effects are extremely desirable. As outlined in Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, users typically feel a combination of the following:

Not all the effects of ecstasy are enjoyable. Other effects of ecstasy outlined in Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation include:

An ecstasy high typically lasts four to six hours. As the drug wears off, users may experience the opposite effects of what they felt earlier. Euphoria fades and feelings of depression, and even despair, can surface. Energy levels drop significantly, and jaw pain sets in, as the drug will have made the user clench their jaw for hours. This is known as the ‘comedown’ and can last for two to three days, depending on the individual and how much ecstasy was consumed.

According to research published in Nuclear Medicine Communications, long-term ecstasy abuse can lead to:

The longer a person misuses ecstasy, the worse their addiction will become. With prolonged, heavy use, addiction becomes more complicated to treat, which is why it is imperative to seek professional help at the earliest stages of addiction.