Ecstasy Addiction Treatment and Rehab

Molly. Essence. Eve. Hug. Cadillac. Love Drug. Happy Pill. E-Bomb. Vitamin E. Snowball. All of these are street names for MDMA, the drug also known as ecstasy. This illegal stimulant is a popular substance among people who frequently go to dance clubs and enjoy an active nightlife. Ecstasy produces psychoactive effects such as increased energy, hallucinations and emotional sensitivity. The drug works like most stimulants — such as cocaine and bath salts — and releases serotonin, a chemical messenger for the brain. This causes people to experience happiness and be in better moods for a short burst of time, working as an antidepressant.

Ecstasy is commonly misused by the younger demographic of United States citizens. The Drug Abuse Warning Network states that the number of emergency room visits involving ecstasy misuse among patients under 21 years old increased 128 percent from 2005 to 2011. Around one-third of those visits also involved alcohol, showing a common mixture between the two substances in a party setting.

Many people ask if ecstasy is addictive. While some people claim to have taken the drug once or twice and not been affected or developed a dependence for the drug, scientific research has not yielded enough information to make a clear decision. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that data taken from both human and animal studies suggests that a regular ecstasy dosage produces adaptations to serotonin and dopamine systems that are associated with a substance use disorder.

Due to its popularity and potency, people become addicted to the drug both physically and psychologically. This addiction causes the opposite effects of the drug and can make people depressed when they are not consistently taking it. Anyone who is suffering from a dependence on the stimulant should seek ecstasy abuse treatment and rehabilitation.

Ecstasy Treatment

Treatment for ecstasy is available for individuals seeking it. Rehabilitation centers are located in each state, although some centers have more levels of care and a better reputation than others. Finding the appropriate treatment for ecstasy addiction can be a daunting task and can make people feel overwhelmed when trying to start rehabilitation. The Recovery Village can make this process easier for individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder. An online database allows people to search for and locate a treatment center anywhere in the United States. A simple telephone call to a representative at The Recovery Village can answer any additional questions about the rehabilitation process.

Before seeking treatment for ecstasy addiction, knowing the signs of a substance use disorder is important. Some of the most common things to look for in order to identify an ecstasy addiction include:

• Being very awake or energized at strange times
• Overly friendly or an extreme sense of empathy
• Grinding teeth
• Distorted sense of time
• Increased self-esteem
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Chills
• Sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Sleeping problems
• Decreased appetite
• Depression
• Aggression
• Memory loss
• Paranoia
• Feeling lethargic

In general, if someone has misused ecstasy, they may show a decline in physical health and outward appearance. Their attitude might shift toward apathy, they may have coordination problems, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, a change in their interests and priorities, and other effects similar to what is seen with addictions to other drugs. Ecstasy also can cause people to take riskier behaviors and bring about an increased sex drive.

If someone experiences many of these symptoms, they may be addicted to ecstasy. Coming to grips with this reality is often one of the most difficult parts of the recovery process, and that’s why support and honesty from friends and family is important.

Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction

There are many ways to treat an ecstasy addiction. People can attempt to quit taking the drug abruptly and altogether, which is called quitting “cold turkey.” This method is often difficult for people who have been taking a large amount of ecstasy and who suffer from an extreme addiction. Another method is for doctors and nurses to administer withdrawal symptom-blocking medications to provide a more comfortable detoxification.

Since depression is a common withdrawal symptom of no longer taking ecstasy, many people are prescribed over-the-counter antidepressants to avoid suicidal thoughts and keep themselves upbeat and motivated about recovery from their drug addiction. Other medications can help avoid or mitigate other common withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Constant mood swings
• Major personality changes

Avoiding medications during detoxification and later in the rehabilitation process is possible but is not always the safest approach. Anyone with questions about medications during ecstasy treatment should ask a representative of the treatment center they are interested in about that facility’s specific methods.

Rehab for Ecstasy

Rehab for ecstasy is a multi-step process that often uproots people from their day-to-day lives. The commitment to recovering from drug addiction lasts a lifetime and involves pitfalls long after rehab ends. However, it’s while working with a treatment facility when people can learn the integral coping strategies and lay the groundwork toward building a healthier future.

Once a person enrolls in a rehabilitation program, they’ll receive a free and confidential assessment to map out a plan for recovery. Once detoxification ends and withdrawal symptoms subside, the client will move on to whichever step is next in the process, whether it’s:

• Hospitalization and stabilization
• Inpatient rehab
• Outpatient rehab

Inpatient rehabilitation involves 24-hour medical attention while the client stays full time at a rehabilitation facility. Inpatient activities include group and individual therapy sessions, family counseling and other effective ways to engage clients and discuss their illness. This helps people tackle the roots of their addiction and uncover any co-occurring disorders that may have caused or been caused by substance use disorder. Rehab is different for each person, so some people might not need to enroll in inpatient rehab, while others will. This is not likely, though, and usually is only recommended for people who have experienced a rehab program before or who had a very minor addiction to ecstasy.

There is not much freedom given to people in inpatient rehabilitation. The schedule is predetermined and patients follow a similar routine each day in order to provide consistency and stability. Additionally, inpatient rehabilitation offers patients a controlled environment where they can receive any medical treatment, as necessary, while avoiding exposure to ecstasy misuse. Patients also can interact with others who suffer from similar substance use disorders and who can offer and receive support to peers. These relationships can develop into lifelong friendships during their similar recoveries from drug addiction.

Many people experience both inpatient and outpatient treatment as part of the full continuum of care. Understanding the distinguishing factors between the two options is important to formulating the appropriate program. Outpatient rehabilitation is different from inpatient because it does not involve the client living at the facility. This level of care offers people much more freedom and requires more accountability because they can often continue their daily routine and handle day-to-day responsibilities such as caring for family needs, house chores, or employment or school responsibilities. Rehabilitation programs often conclude with aftercare or sober living, which is when clients put to use their knowledge about their substance use disorder to use and continue to live a healthier lifestyle.

Once someone understands the rehabilitation process, it’s much easier to locate the appropriate treatment center and begin asking more-detailed questions, including:

• How much rehab will cost?
• Does my insurance plan cover ecstasy rehabilitation?
• How long will rehab take?
• Which levels of care are most suitable?
• How can I begin an ecstasy rehabilitation program?
• Are there different locations that provide varying levels of care?

The Recovery Village can answer these questions — and more — for anyone suffering from a dependence on ecstasy. Representatives are ready to provide information about any of The Recovery Village’s treatment facilities. Calls are free and confidential.

Ecstasy Help Centers and Rehab Centers

Ecstasy help centers are available in each state and accessible for every United States citizen. Rehab for ecstasy is a challenging process for anyone because of the elated feelings that the drug gives to people who take it. There is no exact timeline for completing treatment because each person is different and someone’s length of rehab is affected by many factors, including:

• Age
• Height
• Any co-occurring disorders the person might have
• Length and level of addiction

Regardless how long rehabilitation from ecstasy lasts, recovery is a lifelong undertaking that requires constant effort from the person suffering from the disorder, and continual support from their family and peers. Accepting that someone has a substance use disorder is a huge step toward recovery for that person, and learning coping strategies and removing negative influences will help them once rehab ends and sober living begins.

Are you addicted to ecstasy? Do you know someone who is struggling from ecstasy misuse? You are not the first person seeking help for this illness. Many people searching for answers regarding ecstasy treatment have come to this page and found the help they needed. The Recovery Village can answer any questions you might have regarding ecstasy addiction treatment and rehab. Call one of our representatives to determine the appropriate treatment plan and receive more details about daily life while in rehab, the steps in the recovery process, payment plans and accepted insurance providers.