Ecstasy (Molly, MDMA) Addiction and Treatment

Overview of Ecstasy Addiction and Treatment

If you’re addicted to Ecstasy, treatment for Ecstasy addiction should be pursued as soon as possible, as only one dose of the drug is enough to cause permanent bodily damage or even death. At BetterAddictionCare, we can work with you to find successful, safe, cost-effective Ecstasy addiction treatment near you.

What Is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy is the most common street name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA. It was first developed created in 1912, although it was not commonly used until  1953, when   it was used by the military as an experimental tool to facilitate psychological warfare. In the late 70’s it also was used as a couples’ therapy drug. More recently, Ecstasy has also been used to treat PTSD and  trauma, especially for veterans. 

MDMA gives the user a sense of euphoria, enhanced perception and sensation, heightened confidence, and hallucinations.  By the 1980s, MDMA was one of the most commonly abused drugs in the club and rave scenes. This led to an increase in Ecstasy addiction and other issues related to the drug, included overdoses and  suicides. In 1985, MDMA was finally made illegal after the dangers of the drug became apparent. 

In addiction to Ecstasy,  MDMA has many different names on the street, including “roll,” “E,” “Cadillac,” “X,” “the vowel,”  and “Molly.” 

What Is the Difference Between MDMA, Ecstasy, and Molly?

MDMA is an abbreviation for methylenedioxymethamphetamine, which is the chemical compound that is the active ingredient in Ecstasy.0

 Ecstasy is MDMA that has been pressed into a pill or tablet form. Ecstasy is almost always mixed, or “cut,” with other drugs. Users typically swallow Ecstasy pills, which are often referred to as “tabs.”

Molly is a powdered or crystalline form of MDMA. Molly is commonly believed to be more pure than Ecstasy, however that is not the case. Molly is no more or less likely to be pure than Ecstasy. Molly is commonly put into capsules and consumed, snorted, or diluted in water and drank. Liquid Molly is typically known as Molly water.

What Is an Ecstasy Addiction?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) is used by addiction and mental health professionals to diagnose addiction to Ecstasy and other substances. There are 11 criteria. As long as 3 are met, the individual is considered to have an addiction, and the higher the number of criteria, the more severe the addiction.

Essentially, to have an Ecstasy addiction, you must both be dependent on the substance (you must continue to take Ecstasy or you will experience negative symptoms known as withdrawal) and you must be experiencing negative impacts in your life as a result of your use.

Some of these negative impacts may include:

• Mood swings
• Devoting large amounts of time to procuring, using, and recovering from using Ecstasy
• No longer participating in previously enjoyed activities
• Changes in social circle
• Behavioral changes
• Increased secrecy
• Repeated failures to stop or reduce Ecstasy use
• Legal or financial difficulties
• Failure to meet personal, professional, or familial obligations

In order to determine whether or not you or a loved one have an Ecstasy addiction you need to speak with an addiction treatment center worker.

Is Ecstasy Addiction so Dangerous It Requires Treatment?

Ecstasy is powerful psychoactive drug that has numerous negative effects on both the body and mind.

Some of the dangerous side effects of Ecstasy include:

• Reduced judgment, which can lead to injury, disease, or death
• Impulsivity
• Anxiety
• Dehydration
• Hyperthermia (overheating)
• Severe depression
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Suicidal ideation and suicide
• Muscle tension
• Blurry vision
• Memory loss
• Teeth clenching and grinding, which can lead to jaw and tooth damage

As Molly addiction stretches for longer and longer spans of time, the risks grow to include brain damage, damaged nerve endings, kidney failure, seizures, psychosis, and death.

Hyperthermia or overheating is the most frequent cause of death from Ecstasy use. The user’s body overheats, which is exacerbated by the dehydration that Ecstasy causes, which can lead to organ damage or death.

Of the dangerous side effects of Ecstasy, perhaps the most tragic is what is called “Suicide Tuesdays.” Ecstasy releases a large amount of “feel good” chemicals in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. However, this drains the brain of these chemicals which means that the user feels severely depressed for several days. Among Ecstasy users who use the drug all weekend, this depression often peaks on Tuesdays, which frequently results in suicide.

In addition to the dangers of pure Ecstasy, there are dangers to Ecstasy that has been mixed with other drugs. Because Ecstasy is illegal and unregulated, Many dealers “cut” their product with other drugs that are cheaper or easier to get, making it difficult to determine what percentage of a dose, if any, is actually MDMA. In a number of law enforcement busts, vast quantities of supposedly pure MDMA were found to contain 0% of the chemical. 

Thanks to the unknown concoction of drugs used in its production, the first dose of Molly can be deadly. Luckily, any of the negative effects of Ecstasy addiction can be prevented with treatment, if completed early enough.

When to Seek Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction

Molly addiction doesn’t have to go on for years to be dangerous. A single dose is enough to produce convulsions, extreme hallucinations, or death. MDMA addiction should be treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of permanent damage. 

If you or a loved one notice signs of Molly addiction, it’s a good idea to get help now. Better Addiction Care’s 100% confidential services can help you find Ecstasy addiction treatment in your area and figure out which is the best program for you. A pre-screening assessment will lay the foundation for you to get individualized treatment for Ecstasy addiction, and we’ll match you with a committed recovery team to provide support after treatment concludes. 

Fill out our contact form or call today to get more information on alternative rehab programs and start healing.