Ecstasy (also known as MDMA) is often used leisurely, because of its psychoactive effects.
People who take it are drawn towards it because it ignites positive emotions (euphoria, heightened sensations, etc.). This drug causes every sensation of touch, light, and sound to be greatly intensified, thus making it popular at parties and concerts.
Ecstasy can be abused via the following routes:
Orally (pill, tablet, or capsule)
Inhalation
Snorting
Injection
Rectally
If you’re looking to identify whether or not a friend or loved one is abusing ecstasy, you can start looking for signs as soon as they begin. A person will more than likely experience a wide range of effects, due to a combination of the stimulating and hallucinogenic properties of the drug.
SYMPTOMS OF USE:
- Physical
Increased desire for/pleasure from physical touch
Hypertension
Tremors/shaking
Sweats/chills
Increased heart rate
Tension in mouth, face, and jaw
- Psychological
Personality changes/mood swings
Cravings for the drug
Distorted perception of time
Increased alertness
Feelings of emotional peace and empathy
Hallucinations
Decreased awareness of/sensation of pain
- Behavioral
High increase in energy
Frequent attendance of late-night events (parties, concerts, etc.)
Having several sexual partners
Hiding small colorful tablets (or powder packets) in different places
Irregular sleep patterns
Possession of rave party accessories (glow sticks, LED lights, etc.), lollipops, and pacifiers
Ecstasy also causes overstimulation in the brain and changes the activity and course of neurons and neurotransmitters in your central nervous system (CNS). If an electrical activity becomes out of control, the user may experience seizures or convulsions. This also leads to increased:
- Body temperature: When your core body temperature rises, sweat glands heavily cover your skin with sweat to cool you down, which puts you at risk for undetectable dehydration
- Heart rate: Increased heart rate significantly elevates blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke
- Sensory perception: False sensations caused by ecstasy caused decreased awareness of your surroundings, which puts you in danger of becoming a victim of unintentional self-harm, or violence; it also causes sensations of intimacy towards others and wipes away sexual prohibitions.
SIGNS OF OVERDOSE:
Hyperthermia
Loss of consciousness
Lightheadedness
Panic attacks
Extremely high blood pressure
Seizures
Vomiting
Overdosing on ecstasy can permanently damage your organs, break down your muscles, cause kidney or liver failure, swelling of the brain, or heart attack.
Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be overcome without help. At Asana Recovery, we understand the depth of difficulty in recovering from addictions, due to our daily work helping those struggling most from them. While some believe they can make it on their own, rehabilitation programs are always helpful in breaking dependency. You can beat it if done with the support of a good team, despite the journey being a rough one. Counseling and aftercare assist you by finding each psychological factor that led you to addiction and help you build structures to cope with life better without substance abuse.
There are supervised detox and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery offered in a very supportive environment. We’re undoubtedly committed to ensuring a long term recovery while guiding you on the path to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Please don’t hesitate, as we’re always available to speak to you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn all about this comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction treatment program today!
