Ecstasy Addiction Treatment – Your Options
Ecstasy is a widely used drug all across the world because of its inexpensiveness and wide availability. It is a safe drug and also a fun drug. However, this drug's use may lead to several unpleasant and dangerous side effects, including dehydration and hyperthermia. It is a drug that gained popularity since the 1980s and 1990s. It is the teenagers among which the drug is highly prevalent in modern times. Substance abuse is not uncommon among a majority of individuals all across the world. Whether it is marijuana, cocaine, or ecstasy, all drugs usually attract individuals from 16 to 25.
The risks associated with the use of ecstasy remained undetermined. The drug helped in drawing the feeling of happiness, empathy, and uninhibitedness. The drug has a high potential for abuse and addiction as according to medical science. The common name for the drug is Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA. The drug became famous as an appetite suppressant.
In addition to this, it also has stimulant and hallucination effect. The drug is a human-made substance that is illegal according to international authorities. It got commonly known by specific street names, including beans, hugs, go Adam, Molly, lovers’ speed, etc.
Ecstasy addiction and its side effects
• Research all across the globe has revealed that ecstasy directly impacts the body and brain. After 20 to 60 minutes of intake of the drug, users experience the feeling of pleasure. However, there is sometimes an unpleasant outcome that includes nausea, stomach pain, etc.
• The physical effects of ecstasy include nausea, tremor, muscle cramp, chills, impotence, rapid eye movement, inability to regulate body temperature. Thus, people use the drug in an over-stimulating environment when they are involved in strenuous activities. However, the risk of dehydration and hyperthermia cannot go overlooked, and in the adverse case can also result in death.
• The psychological effects of the drug include paranoia, confusion, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and craving for more medicine. Studies have revealed that people involved using ecstasy have a high risk for long-term or even permanent cognitive disorders, leading to impaired memory and problem in learning.
The symptoms of ecstasy abuse include the following
It includes spending a great deal of time buying the drug, taking more than the amount required, ignoring personal obligations because of joy, taking the increasing amount to overcome certain feelings like tolerance. Some other symptoms include failing to stop using ecstasy and using ecstasy frequently, knowing that it is hazardous to yourself.
The withdrawal symptoms include depression, irritability, appetite loss, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in sex, sleep problems, and weight loss. This drug is widely available in the form of tablets and it also contains other dangerous chemicals like caffeine, heroin, PCP, PMA, methamphetamine, etc.
The treatment methods available for ecstasy addiction that you may explore
• Detoxification: a comprehensive treatment plan always includes the process of detoxification. It is a process whereby the patient's body is cleared of the toxic substance, and then they are set for the recovery course. There are two types of detox settings social and medical. Medical detox includes the person receiving medical supervision to help them through the withdrawal process. The social detox is dependent more on social support and peer support to help a person through the withdrawal process.
• Inpatient: inpatient treatment usually means living in the treatment center for getting care. The duration of the treatment maylast from days to months, depending on the case.Therapeutic communities got included in inpatient options assisting the patient. It usually ranges from 6 to 12 months. There are several therapies in the Virginia inpatient drug rehab in which the patient gets involved in group and individual counseling, family therapy, holistic treatments, etc.
• Outpatient: if addicts cannot get residential therapy, they have to opt for an outpatient treatment program. They do not offer 24/7 support and care.Thus it is always better for those who have a supportive environment at home and in their social surrounding. The treatment method is similar to the inpatient program, which includes support groups and counseling. The rehab centers in Anchorage usually provide outpatient treatment options for patients who show mild symptoms.
• The 12 step program is usually a 12 step support group that includes other forms of treatment that effectively treat an individual with substance abuse. The groups have a 12-step recovery process that takes care of almost every individual dimension.
• Individual counseling: working on a one-to-one basis with a person suffering from substance abuse can help in the recovery process. The counselor has the chance to identify the real cause of addiction of any individual and then provide the necessary support and viable stimulus to help them lead an everyday life.
Apart from the above-given treatment options, other therapies like diagnostic programs, group therapies, and aftercare are available in the various drug rehab centers, which can help an individual cope with substance abuse problems. However, you must understand that substance abuse is a problem that requires long-term treatment so that you can curtail the relapse risk.