MDMA can be addictive for some people. American surveys found that 43% of young MDMA users met the diagnostic criteria for dependence. These users experienced tolerance and withdrawal and continued to use the substance despite the negative consequences it was creating. The majority of people who use MDMA experience some form of withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, blue moods, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating
MDMA is an illegal drug often used in the club scene. It is both a stimulant and a psychedelic leaving users feeling energized and with distorted perceptions. It enhances enjoyment from touching objects and people. MDMA is an acronym for its chemical name 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
It is usually swallowed as a tablet or capsule but can also be absorbed rectally. Most people use between 120 and 240 milligrams of MDMA as a dose. Its effects last between 3 and 6 hours and people will often take a second dose when the effect starts to wear off.
MDMA works by altering the way neurotransmitters in the brain operate. MDMA can be toxic to brain cells that contain serotonin which may lead to long-term damage.
The tablets used in clubs are known as ecstasy but these tablets are rarely pure MDMA and are often a combination of other drugs such as methamphetamine, caffeine, cocaine and ephedrine. MDMA is often used in conjunction with alcohol and marijuana.
Ecstasy (MDMA) can be addictive for some people. American surveys found that 43% of young Ecstasy users met the diagnostic criteria for dependence. These users experienced tolerance and withdrawal and continued to use the substance despite the negative consequences it was creating. The majority of people who use Ecstasy experience some form of withdrawal symptom such as fatigue, blue moods, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating.
How is Ecstasy used?
MDMA is usually swalled as a tablet or capsule but can also be absorbed rectally. Most people use between 120 and 240 milligrams of Ecstasy as a dose. Its effects last between 3 and 6 hours and people will often take a second dose when the effect starts to wear off. Ecstasy works by altering the way neurotransmitters in the brain operate. Ecstasy can be toxic to brain cells that contain serotonin which may lead to to long-term damage.
Why is Ecstasy so dangerous?
The tablets used in clubs are known as Ecstasy but these tablets are rarely pure Ecstasy and are often a combination of other drugs such as methamphetamine, caffeine, cocaine and ephedrine. Ecstasy is often used in conjunction with alcohol and marijuana.
Treatment for Ecstasy abuse
As yet there is no specific medical intervention for Ecstasy abuse. A drug rehab treatment centre will most likely employ a cognitive behavioural approach to help the patient change his/her behaviour and way of thinking. Providing the abuser with life skills to help cope with life’s stressors is an important of a drug rehabilitation program.
Treatment for MDMA abuse
As yet there is no specific medical intervention for MDMA abuse. Drug rehab will most likely employ a cognitive behavioural approach to help the patient change his/her behaviour and way of thinking. Providing the abuser with life skills to help cope with life’s stressors is key of a drug rehabilitation program
Recovery support groups, such as the 12 step fellowship Narcotics Anonymous, can assist in helping the addict find long-term drug-free recovery.
Additional Resources
In the Mix is a review study examining the patterns of how club drugs are being used.
- Time Magazine: The Lure of Ecstasy is an article published in the popular magazine about the increasing prevalence of Ecstasy abuse.
- NIDA – National Institute on Drug Abuse:Club Drugs is a NIDA report that summarises current knowledge about club drugs.
Ecstasy News Articles is a news portal devoted to Ecstasy. - NIDA – National Institute on Drug Abuse:– 2017 MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse Report.
- MAPS – Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: Historic media archive, a collection of scans of MDMA-related articles from the 1980s and 1990s.
- NIH: An In-Depth Qualitative Examination of the Ecstasy Experience: Results of a Focus Group with Ecstasy-Using College Students
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