What is Ecstasy?

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Recreational drug use and experimentation are common among young adults, college students, and high schoolers. Party drugs like cocaine and ecstasy are especially popular at parties, raves and music festivals. But, there are important and potentially dangerous questions to ask when considering the use of this drug. What is ecstasy? Can you become addicted to ecstasy? Does your use or addiction to ecstasy require seeking ecstasy addiction rehab Utah residents trust? Ecstasy was originally created as a potential treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. The main ingredient, MDMA, originally showed promise as a potential therapeutic treatment for patients battling chronic depression. While MDMA was excellent in alleviating symptoms of depression and elevating mood, the harmful side effects and its potential for abuse ultimately resulted in the United States banning MDMA. MDMA is no longer prescribed but has remained extremely popular since the 1980s as drug dealers began selling it as a party drug. Ecstasy can also be highly addictive and dangerous to use. Therefore, finding addiction treatment in Utah can be an excellent option if you are struggling to quit using ecstasy.

What is Ecstasy? 

So, what is ecstasy used for and what dangers does it pose? Ecstasy can act as a stimulant and hallucinogenic. One of the many dangers of ecstasy is that it is commonly cut with other substances like caffeine or other amphetamines. Typically sold in a pill form, the contents of each pill are unknown without proper lab testing. The effects of ecstasy can include:

  • Euphoria

  • Feeling closer to others

  • Decreases sexual inhibitions

  • Hallucinations

  • Out of body sensations, like feeling like you can fly

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Mixing ecstasy with other substances is very dangerous. This drug is commonly used at parties and music festivals, where you burn significant calories and increase your body heat while partying and dancing. Ecstasy increases your heart rate and body temperature, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Drinking alcohol, which also dehydrates you, with ecstasy is especially dangerous. Other risks associated include a high risk of overdose because many pills contain substances other than MDMA, many of which are also stimulants. Additionally, MDMA itself is addictive and can cause depression, anxiety, and mood changes when you regularly use it or stop taking it after long term use.

How To Treat Ecstasy Dependency?

Ecstasy impacts your brain chemistry. In time, long term use causes significant medical and mental health problems. When you stop using the drug, your brain has to adjust and learn how to release serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine without the drug. Withdrawal can result in serious detox symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. When you become physically dependent, you can experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

  • Depression and suicidal ideation

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Insomnia and fatigue

  • Agitation and irritability

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Memory problems

Treatment for ecstasy abuse can consist of inpatient or outpatient care. Inpatient is residential in nature, meaning you stay at the treatment facility 24 hours a day. Alternatively, outpatient treatment allows you to return every night and continue working or going to school during treatment.

How Acqua Recovery Can Help 

With the answers to these questions in hand, you or a loved one might be ready to reach out for help to recover from ecstasy dependency or addiction. The first step in the recovery process is reaching out for assistance. Acqua Recovery, a premier Utah addiction rehab, is here to help. Call us today at 866.830.4628 to learn more about your treatment options.

What is Ecstasy?

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Dr. Daniel Pickrell

Dr. Daniel Pickrell
Medical Reviewer

Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.

By: Acqua Recovery

Posted Date: Jan 26, 2023

Updated Date: Jul 18, 2024

Recreational drug use and experimentation are common among young adults, college students, and high schoolers. Party drugs like cocaine and ecstasy are especially popular at parties, raves and music festivals. But, there are important and potentially dangerous questions to ask when considering the use of this drug. What is ecstasy? Can you become addicted to ecstasy? Does your use or addiction to ecstasy require seeking ecstasy addiction rehab Utah residents trust? Ecstasy was originally created as a potential treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. The main ingredient, MDMA, originally showed promise as a potential therapeutic treatment for patients battling chronic depression. While MDMA was excellent in alleviating symptoms of depression and elevating mood, the harmful side effects and its potential for abuse ultimately resulted in the United States banning MDMA. MDMA is no longer prescribed but has remained extremely popular since the 1980s as drug dealers began selling it as a party drug. Ecstasy can also be highly addictive and dangerous to use. Therefore, finding addiction treatment in Utah can be an excellent option if you are struggling to quit using ecstasy.

What is Ecstasy? 

So, what is ecstasy used for and what dangers does it pose? Ecstasy can act as a stimulant and hallucinogenic. One of the many dangers of ecstasy is that it is commonly cut with other substances like caffeine or other amphetamines. Typically sold in a pill form, the contents of each pill are unknown without proper lab testing. The effects of ecstasy can include:

  • Euphoria

  • Feeling closer to others

  • Decreases sexual inhibitions

  • Hallucinations

  • Out of body sensations, like feeling like you can fly

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Mixing ecstasy with other substances is very dangerous. This drug is commonly used at parties and music festivals, where you burn significant calories and increase your body heat while partying and dancing. Ecstasy increases your heart rate and body temperature, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Drinking alcohol, which also dehydrates you, with ecstasy is especially dangerous. Other risks associated include a high risk of overdose because many pills contain substances other than MDMA, many of which are also stimulants. Additionally, MDMA itself is addictive and can cause depression, anxiety, and mood changes when you regularly use it or stop taking it after long term use.

How To Treat Ecstasy Dependency?

Ecstasy impacts your brain chemistry. In time, long term use causes significant medical and mental health problems. When you stop using the drug, your brain has to adjust and learn how to release serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine without the drug. Withdrawal can result in serious detox symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. When you become physically dependent, you can experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

  • Depression and suicidal ideation

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Insomnia and fatigue

  • Agitation and irritability

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Memory problems

Treatment for ecstasy abuse can consist of inpatient or outpatient care. Inpatient is residential in nature, meaning you stay at the treatment facility 24 hours a day. Alternatively, outpatient treatment allows you to return every night and continue working or going to school during treatment.

How Acqua Recovery Can Help 

With the answers to these questions in hand, you or a loved one might be ready to reach out for help to recover from ecstasy dependency or addiction. The first step in the recovery process is reaching out for assistance. Acqua Recovery, a premier Utah addiction rehab, is here to help. Call us today at 866.830.4628 to learn more about your treatment options.

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