Ecstasy Addiction and Treatment

Ecstasy Addiction and Treatment

The party drug Ecstasy gets its name from the feeling of euphoria that most users report feeling after immediately ingesting the drug. By the 1990s, ecstasy was used by and very popular among high school and college students. Some reports also showed instances of ecstasy abuse among junior high school students. Over the last decade and a half, ecstasy abuse and ecstasy addiction has become much more widespread.
Ecstasy is a man-made drug and one of the few drugs that is not derived from a natural substance. Ecstasy is made up of a combination of methamphetamine or amphetamine and hallucinogen (usually mescaline). Some say it is possible that it was first produced as an appetite suppressant but no one knows for sure. One of the things that make ecstasy unique is that, unlike other drugs which are usually taken in with alcohol. Alcohol is said to diminish the effects of the drug so users rarely consume both and large amounts of water are consumed instead.
Ecstasy’s effects can last as long as six hours and people who use the drug report an initial rush of very positive feelings. They say that they enter into an almost euphoric state and an increased sensitivity in the rest of their senses. Users of ecstasy report that the drug increases their empathy for other people, a decrease in their anxiety levels and an intense feeling of relaxation. Ecstasy is also reported to suppress the abuser’s need to drink, eat or sleep and can give users the ability to stay awake for days at a time. First time users tend to love the drug and continue use after the first rush or dislike the drug and discontinue use.
According to scientists, ecstasy does not have any physically addicting properties. It works its way through the system like most other over the counter drugs. The psychological effects of the drug are what people get addicted to. Like most drugs, the first use is usually the best and an ecstasy addict will spend quite a bit of money trying to re-create the same rush with consequent uses of the drug. Each time ecstasy is taken after the initial use the effects lessen each time a person ingests it.
People who are addicted to using ecstasy can receive help through drug treatment. They can find treatment by doing some research and exploring some of the drug rehabs either online or through the yellow pages. Both inpatient and outpatient rehabs work well with those who are in need of drug treatment.