Ecstasy, or MDMA, rose to popularity in the 1970s and is now known by many names across the United States. Over time, studies have shown a number of unpleasant side effects, health problems, and even the potential for chemical dependency. These dangerous ecstasy effects showcase behavioral and physical changes that can be easy to spot. Learn more about our ecstasy addiction treatment program today.
Ecstacy’s Short-Term Physical Effects
Taking ecstasy can increase physical sensation. It can also boost energy and focus for a short period of time. Unfortunately, not all short-term side effects of ecstasy are pleasant.
Using ecstasy can also cause nausea, muscle cramping, and an increase in body temperature. Extreme sweating, a fever, and dehydration are common as well. Some users also experience blurred vision, fainting, hallucinations, tremors, and tension in the mouth or jaw.
Short-Term Psychological Effects of Ecstasy
Some individuals take ecstasy for the psychological side effects. Once again, however, not all of them are pleasant or desirable. A feeling of euphoria originally led ecstasy to the forefront of American culture in the late 1970s. This short-term feeling of happiness, though, can quickly escalate into anxiety and paranoia.
Other common psychological effects of ecstasy include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor decision making
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Sleep problems
These effects are often magnified by the fact that people who take ecstasy often do not eat or sleep for several hours. This lack of food and sleep can intensify the negative effects of the drug.
Ecstasy can also cause scary hallucinations, anxiety, and depression. A so-called “bad trip” can be overwhelming and lead to a panic attack.
Symptoms of an Ecstasy Overdose
An ecstasy overdose can exacerbate many of the symptoms of the drug. In the worst cases, an overdose can lead to death. More commonly, it can lead to severe health problems.
An ecstasy overdose is most likely to occur when the user takes too much of the drug. However, it can also occur if the user takes a lower dose than usual and is especially sensitive to the effects of the drug. In either case, an ecstasy overdose can cause a number of serious health problems.
Ecstasy overdoses are often caused by a practice known as piggybacking. This is when users consume doses of ecstasy at regular intervals in order to maintain the high for as long as possible. This can lead to seizures, organ failure, or a total loss of consciousness.
Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy Use
The long-term effects of ecstasy are less well known because the drug has only been widely used since the 1980s. Nevertheless, some researchers strongly believe that ecstasy use may cause long-term damage to the brain, especially in people who use the drug frequently.
One of the most worrying long-term effects of ecstasy use is addiction. Using psychoactive drugs causes changes in brain chemistry that affect our coping skills, overall happiness, and cognitive reasoning. Over time, the brain stops needing to rely on feel-good situations to produce feel-good chemicals because these chemicals are supplied by the drug. This causes a person’s tolerance and potential for addiction to increase. Taking larger and larger doses in order to experience the same effects is one of the first signs that someone is developing a chemical dependency.
Chronic use of ecstasy will damage the serotonin neurotransmitters in the brain. As a result, long-term symptoms of ecstasy use include depression, anxiety, and memory loss. The drug wreaks havoc on sleep patterns, and periods of alertness will be paired with low periods of lethargy and insomnia.
Overcoming an Ecstasy Addiction
Addiction treatment programs are the best way to overcome an addiction to ecstasy. At Crestview Recovery, patients can choose from programs such as intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, or extended care rehab. Each program is determined to provide a foundation for sobriety that lasts a lifetime.
To achieve recovery, patients can participate in a number of therapeutic services, including:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Life skills training
- Trauma therapy
Stress & Drug Relapse
More than reminders of a patient’s past substance use, it’s stress that is the top cause of relapsing. Some patients struggling with recovery and remaining sober may even turn to substance use as a way to cope with the stress they’re feeling in a maladaptive way. This can happen if their substance use disorder developed because using became their primary coping mechanism. Instead of relying on drugs to relieve stress, you can rely on our clinicians at Crestview to help you develop the coping skills and social support you need in order to stay in recovery.
Get Help Now With Ecstasy Addiction Treatment
To avoid the effects of prolonged ecstasy abuse, your best bet is to find a highly-rated Portland drug rehab or addiction treatment center. Although it may seem inconvenient, addiction treatment is usually the most effective choice when nothing else seems to work. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, quality treatment can lead you on the road to recovery. Start overcoming addiction once and for all by calling 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
