Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a hallucinogen, a substance that causes an individual to see, smell, hear, or otherwise sense something that is not present. It also works on the brain as a stimulant. Ecstasy can be taken orally or injected and is commonly taken in pill form. Pills are typically colored or imprinted with a design exclusive to their distributor.

Signs and Symptoms Ecstasy Addiction
A person can experience side effects even if days or weeks have passed since the last time the pill was ingested. Effects can last from four to six hours but many users will “bump” that drug taking a second as soon as the effects begin to wear off increasing the risk of overdose, heart attack, or death especially when taking during physical exertion such as dancing. One study found that the damage to healthy brain functioning of the serotonin levels after only 4 days of use can last up to 7 years after using has stopped. The alteration of the serotonin levels has a direct impact upon the psychological health of the user, loss of memory,

Hallucinations
Illusions
Dizziness
Emotional warmth
Confusion
Suspicion
Disorientation
Nausea
Anxiety
Loss of control
Extreme behavioral changes
Mood swings
Trance-like state
Chills
Irregular breathing
Sweating
Extreme thirst
Trembling hands
Clenched teeth
Changes in sensory perceptions
Violent behavior
Changes in perception of time
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

In addition to immediate effects, unpleasant “flashbacks” where an individual experiences effects of the drug without using it, may occur long after the substance is used. A single use of the substance may cause irreversible brain damage. Damaged nerve cells may regenerate but normal communications between cells is never repaired.

Long term or chronic use of ecstasy includes:

Depression
Impaired memory
Heart failure,
Kidney failure,
Lung failure, liver failure,
Dental damage,
Psychosis, and
Possible death.

What is the cost of Ecstasy on Society?
A survey of young adult and adolescent MDMA users found that 43 percent of those who reported ecstasy use met the accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence, as evidenced by continued use despite knowledge of physical or psychological harm, withdrawal effects, and tolerance (or diminished response).

Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms

Anxiety
Inability to concentrate
Disturbed sleep
Loss of appetite
Irritability
Extreme thirst
Paranoia
Delusions

Ecstasy recovery can be achieved through treatment. There are no FDA-approved medications to help combat addiction to the substance at this time. The recommended approach to Ecstasy addiction is a drug addiction treatment program that includes a variety of therapeutic modalities: cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational therapy, addiction education, individual counseling, family counseling and more.

Slang Terms Ecstasy
007s, 2CE, 2CI, 4Dot, 69s, Adam, Beans, Bermuda Triangles, Blue Kisses, Blue Lips, Blue Nile, Care Bear, Charity Disco Biscuits, E, E Bombs, Egyptians, Eve, Four Leaf Clover, GWM, Happy Drug, Herbal Bliss, Hug drug, Letter Biscuits Lover’s Special MDMA, Playboys, Rave Energy, Rolling, Rolls Royce, Running, Stars, Tom and Jerries, Waffers, Wheels, White Diamonds, White Dove, White Nothing, X, XTC. (Ecstasy in combination with other drugs has a variety of different names as well.)