Know the Dangers of Ecstasy Drugs / Designer Drugs
If you use Ecstasy drugs or designer drugs, there are treatment centers ready to help you NOW. Your Ecstasy addiction is slowly destroying your body and mind. You need help for your addiction to Ecstasy, which is taking over your life, hurting those closest to you and stealing your dreams. You have tried to stop using Ecstasy, but can't stop. You have always returned, worse than before. We know, we've been there and couldn't do it by ourselves either. Call Recovery Connection® NOW for help. Call 1-800-99-DETOX.
Street terms for MDMA/Ecstasy: XTC, go, X, Adam, hug drug.
What is Ecstasy?
"Ecstasy" is a name for the designer drug MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This is a synthetic drug with both psychedelic and stimulant effects. In the past, some therapists in the United States used the drug to facilitate psychotherapy. In 1988, however, Ecstasy became a designer drug Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
Currently, Ecstasy is predominantly a "club drug" and is commonly used at all-night dance parties known as "raves". However, recent research indicates that the use of Ecstasy drugs is moving to settings other than nightclubs, such as private homes, high schools or college dorms.
Ecstasy is a stimulant whose psychedelic effects can last between 4 and 6 hours and is usually taken orally in pill form.
What are Designer Drugs?
The term designer drug is used to describe psychoactive drugs whose molecular structure has been changed to get around existing drug laws. In the 1980’s various heroin-like synthetic substances appeared on the “scene.” Soon after, new laws were instituted to ban all designer drugs by making it illegal to possess, sell or manufacture chemicals that were substantially similar in pharmacology and chemistry to Schedule 1 or Schedule II drugs.
Effects of Ecstasy Drug Use and Other Designer Drug Use
- Confusion
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Drug Craving
- Paranoia
Harmful Medical Implications of Ecstasy Drug Use and Other Designer Drug Use
- Muscle tension
- Involuntary teeth clenching
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Feeling faint
- Tremors
- Rapid eye movement
- Sweating or chills
Because of Ecstasy's ability to increase heart rate and blood pressure, circulatory problems or cardiovascular disease can occur.
Research shows that Ecstasy drug use causes damage to the parts of the brain that are critical to thought and memory. Ecstasy increases the activity levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This designer drug causes the release of the neurotransmitters from their storage sites, which increases brain activity and also interferes with neurotransmitter synthesis. Ecstasy drug use causes a significant depletion in the neurotransmitters. It takes the brain a significant length of time to rebuild the amount of serotonin and other neurotransmitters needed to perform important functions.
In addition to the dangers associated with the Ecstasy drug itself, users are also at risk of taking a drug that is not approved by the FDA and that a person has no knowledge of what substances are actually in the drug.
Ecstasy, Designer Drugs and Raves
Ecstasy and other designer drugs are often found at nightclubs and raves. Raves are characterized by high entrance fees, extensive drug use, and overcrowded dance floors. Club owners often seem to promote the use of Ecstasy drugs at their clubs. They sell overpriced bottled water and sports drinks to try to manage the hyperthermia and dehydration effects of Ecstasy drug use; pacifiers to prevent involuntary teeth clenching; menthol nasal inhalers and neon glow-sticks to enhance some of the other effects of Ecstasy drug use.
Raves often are promoted as alcohol-free events, which gives parents a false sense of security that their children will be safe attending these parties. In reality, raves are often an environment suited for the sale and abuse of designer drugs and other addictive substances.
Rave party attendees who take Ecstasy are at risk of dehydration, hyperthermia and heart or kidney failure. These risks are due to a combination of the drug's stimulant effect, which allows the person taking Ecstasy to dance for long periods of time in an atmosphere that is hot and crowded. This is the typical landscape of a rave party. The combination of crowded all night dance parties and Ecstasy has resulted in numerous fatalities.
If you believe you or someone you know is in need of Ecstasy or designer drug treatment, or for immediate assistance finding drug rehab centers that specialize in Ecstasy and designer drug use, please call Recovery Connection® now at 1-800-99-DETOX. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don't wait - GET HELP NOW!
Ecstasy & Designer Drug Treatment Centers:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If your state doesn't appear on this list, please call Recovery Connection® at 1-800-99-DETOX and we will be happy to assist you.
