Do you know someone suffering from addiction or reliance on ecstasy?
Ecstasy use, which you might know as Molly or the rave drug, is common even among children aged 12 and older. It’s more prevalent in 18 to 25-year olds; 12% of which have tried the drug once or more in their lifetime.
Many develop ecstasy addictions as they get used to the euphoric high that they get from the drug. However, it’s possible to get treatment for this and to drop the drug for good. One thing you should know, though, is that they’re going to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Let’s learn what these withdrawal symptoms are. Read on to also learn how to rid your system of ecstasy through a medical detox.
What Causes Ecstasy Withdrawal?
Ecstasy or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a drug similar to stimulants and hallucinogens in chemical structure. It increases the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain.
As a result, it alters the mood and creates positive emotions like emotional warmth. The user might also feel an increase in energy and a distorted time perception.
With extended use, the brain becomes accustomed to the increased stimulation. The brain and body will be unable to function like normal below these levels.
When the user quits, he/she will experience withdrawal symptoms as the brain tries to cope with the loss of the extra stimulation. The body will have to learn how to operate like normal again without it. This causes the symptoms associated with ecstasy withdrawal.
Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms
Today, there’s not enough characterization of ecstasy addiction and withdrawal. However, because ecstasy is similar to stimulants and hallucinogen, their withdrawal symptoms are also alike.
Some reported symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Decreased sex drive
- Paranoia
- Trouble concentrating
Some users have also reported some severe symptoms, such as:
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Lack of motor control
Medical experts think that the MDMA withdrawal symptoms are more psychological in nature. This is in contrast with the withdrawal symptoms of other drugs that are more physical.
Duration of Ecstasy Withdrawal
In general, the duration of ecstasy withdrawal depends on the frequency and duration of its use. The higher the dosage and the longer a person used the drug, the longer and more intense the withdrawal.
Ecstasy Withdrawal Timeline
Day 1-3: A user may experience the symptoms of MDMA withdrawal within 12 hours after the last dose. He/she might experience anxiety, insomnia, trouble concentrating, or other symptoms. These symptoms will peak within a few days.
Day 4-10: The withdrawal symptoms will still persist at this time, although to a lesser degree. Some symptoms will go away after a week of stopping ecstasy use, while the others will lessen in severity.
Day 11 and beyond: At this time, the user may experience severe depression. This is because the brain tries to adapt to the loss of stimulants.
Some symptoms like trouble concentrating, memory problems, and insomnia may still persist. It can take weeks or even months for a user to be free of the effects of Molly withdrawal, depending on use.
Detoxing from Ecstasy on Your Own
Many users try to detox from ecstasy at the comfort of their own home. However, this is not a recommended step. When users try to quit on their own, they are at a higher risk of relapsing during the withdrawal process.
Counseling and therapy centers have a process to help ease the withdrawal symptoms. They will also teach users techniques to avoid giving in to their cravings. When detoxing, it’s important to have a safe environment to increase the chances of success.
Medical Detox for Ecstasy
Medical detox is by far the most effective and safest withdrawal treatment. It offers a calm, safe environment where doctors can administer medicine or provide aid if the withdrawal symptoms become too intense. Professionals will make sure that the patient is going through the process in a safe manner.
This is important as withdrawal is different and unpredictable for each user. Ecstasy use in combination with other drugs may cause other reactions. As such, careful monitoring from a medical professional is crucial.
How Medical Detox Works and What to Expect
Those who want to undergo a medical detox can go to any addiction treatment center that offer this medically assisted detox. The center will then admit them and monitor them 24 hours a day. This is to ensure that he/she can process the ecstasy out of the body in a safe way.
Patients will still experience withdrawal symptoms, but these may not be too severe. The centers also provide encouragements and support to help the patients stay away from cravings.
They will also supervise the mental health condition of the patient. Counseling is also available, which will help with the psychological components of the addiction.
The doctors may also prescribe medications based on the symptoms. Should there be severe symptoms or adverse reactions to the medicines, doctors round-the-clock can make the necessary steps right away.
There should also be healthy and balanced meals every day. This will help with the appetite loss, as well as in nourishing the body. In recovering from addiction, having a healthy body is important as it tries to get back to its normal operation.
Medical detox lasts 5 to 7 days in general, but it may be longer depending on your level of addiction and reaction to the treatment. You may then enter a drug addiction treatment program after the detoxification.
Medications Available for Ecstasy Detox
There are no approved medications for the specific purpose of treating ecstasy addiction. However, some may help with managing the symptoms.
For example, a doctor may prescribe a patient with antidepressants for managing depression. They may also prescribe sleep aids for those experiencing insomnia.
This reiterates the importance of being in an environment with 24-hour supervision. Doctors will be able to track your condition and then make adjustments as necessary.
How to Find the Right Center for Your Detoxification
Finding the right treatment center for a medical detox is important.
You want a center that provides a supportive and safe environment for its patients. If you need help with your ecstasy addiction and detoxification, contact us today.
