It's considered to be a party drug, or a rave drug that doesn't have many harmful consequences. You may have believed this to be true about it as well.
What many people don't realize is that there are serious risks associated with MDMA. If you're currently abusing it, you deserve to know the truth. With time, it can lead to mental and physical problems, and many could be irreversible.
On the street, MDMA might go by a number of different names, like: Ecstasy, Molly, X, XTC, E, Eve, Lover's Speed, Hug (or Hug Drug), Scooby Snacks, Snowball, Love Drug (or Love Pill), and California Sunrise.
The fact is that it's a dangerous drug that people often underestimate. In fact, even those who use it recreationally on a sporadic basis could be putting their lives at risk. Read on to learn the truth about MDMA.
Molly has been around for more than 100 years, which is surprising to most people. It was first created in 1912, under the name Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, for short. A chemist from Merck Pharmaceuticals was responsible for synthesizing it. During that time, the goal was to find a drug that could help stop abnormal bleeding issues.
Other researchers used the basic formula for the drug to do their own research and studies. In the 1970s it was used as a way to improve psychotherapy sessions. It became a popular street drug in the 1980s. By that time, a lot of information began circulating about its abuse potential. In May of 1985, MDMA received emergency classification as a Schedule I drug.
It's difficult to say what its ingredients are. They tend to vary from pill to pill. A dose of Ecstasy may contain any combination of the following in addition to MDMA:
The only way to really know what this drug contains is to conduct a test to find out. Of course, that's something people looking for the Ecstasy high don't do. This one of the main reasons this drug is considered to be so dangerous.
People often wonder about Molly vs. Ecstasy, and what the difference is between them. Online drug forums like Bluelight and Reddit are quite clear. When MDMA is in pill form, it is called Ecstasy. When it comes in a powder capsule, it is referred to as Molly. Also, Ecstasy is generally made with active ingredients. Molly is usually made with inactive ingredients.
Both of these forms contain the drug MDMA, and both can be cut with other substances as well. Some believe that the capsules may hit harder and faster. This is due to the time it takes for the stomach to dissolve the pills.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, MDMA abuse is dangerous. Because of its classification, even one use of it is considered to be abuse. It is most popular in nightclubs, raves and other party scenes.
Chemically, this drug is very similar to both hallucinogenic drugs and stimulants. It makes people feel more energetic while distorting time and sensory perception. Most people think that it's non-habit forming, and they use it just for fun. However, it can produce dangerous side effects even after just one use.
One of the problems with Ecstasy is that one can never really be certain what's in it. Dealers cut the MDMA drug with all different types of substances. Getting too high a dose can even prove to be fatal. Also, if other drugs are taken along with it, the effects are enhanced. Typically, marijuana or alcohol are consumed with Ecstasy at the same time.
There are serious health risks associated with this drug. Of course, these are risks that most people don't take into account before using it. Even the most seasoned users of MDMA rarely know what can happen and the dangers involved.
Using Molly seems to be a fun way to pass an evening of dancing at a club or rave. However, please don't overlook this drug's serious effects. So many adverse effects have been reported from people who claim they simply didn't know what could happen.
Two of the more serious physical health risks associated with MDMA are dehydration and hyperthermia. Sometimes people who know of the risk of dehydration will overcompensate by drinking excessive amounts of water. This can lead to a dangerously low sodium level in the blood, which can be life threatening.
The short-term side effects of this drug can occur even after just one use of it. They include:
There are even some individuals who have reported experiencing visual and auditory hallucinations. However, these reports are rare.
The long-term effects that Molly can have are varied, based on a few different factors. Generally, people tend to increase their dosage amounts when they use drugs for a long time. With higher doses of this substance, serious brain problems can result.
Research has shown that some of the long-term effects of MDMA include:
As you can see, using this drug long-term certainly isn't worth the brief euphoria it produces. Even so, people continue to use it, and will continue for years to come.
The Molly hangover is very real. What's interesting is that this drug makes people feel like they have no social barriers. They're able to talk to everyone and anyone like they're best friends. This feeling of freedom can last for several hours, and then the fallout begins.
Symptoms of a Molly Hangover include:
Recovering from just one use of this drug is difficult, but it can also be deadly. It's possible to have a heart attack or a stroke during the recovery period. In fact, many Molly addiction stories online include tales of people who have died.
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Research tells us that the same neurotransmitters that Molly targets are similar to those targeted by other drugs. It's a substance that increases dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. In fact, it's been proven that even once off Molly, normal levels may never be achieved again. This suggests that the drug is addictive. Some experts even believe that it might be possible to form addictions after just one use. This demonstrates how quickly MDMA can impact the brain.
Of course, there are other studies that indicate that it might not be physically addictive. However, many of the drugs that it is often cut with have physically addictive properties.
Even if MDMA isn't physically addictive, its psychological component cannot be ignored. Any drug can become psychologically addictive, and the risk of that happening with this one is evident.
Sometimes people just don't know if they've formed a drug addiction or not. That might be how you feel right now. Maybe you've been an avid Ecstasy user for quite some time. However, you don't really think you have an addiction to it.
Typically, addicts believe that they can stop using a drug at any time without any issues. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and most addicts are in denial that they have a problem. It may help to know what the signs of Molly addiction are, which include:
You could also be addicted if you notice any of the effects of regular MDMA use, which are:
It's very important for you to find out if you're addicted or not. You can do this in a few different ways. You can start by looking for some of the signs of addiction, as listed above. If that doesn't help you, it may be time to take additional steps.
You may want to consider taking an addiction quiz like this one. Taking a quiz can help you see your drug use patterns a little bit differently. At the end of the quiz, you'll also get a recommendation for what you should do next.
It's also possible that you're someone who would just rather talk with a professional in the addiction treatment field. This is a really good idea because you can explain your drug use history in detail. Many rehabs and treatment centers offer free phone assessments for this purpose.
No matter which method you choose, it's important for you to act quickly. You've seen how dangerous Ecstasy is. With every use of it, you're taking your life in your hands. Acting now could potentially save your life.
MDMA abusers tend to think that they can continue using the drug for a long time without consequences. Please know that this simply isn't the case. If you're not addicted now, you could easily become addicted to MDMA with your next use of it.
You may not be at the point where you absolutely need to go to Ecstasy treatment in order to recover. However, you do need to stop using. What's more, you would definitely benefit from going to talk with a counselor about your substance abuse problem.
There must be a reason why you started using this substance. It could be that you are suffering from a co-occurring disorder and it's a way of self-medicating. Or, there could be some other reason. Regardless, you need to find out what the core issue is, and counseling will help you do that.
If you're an addict, you will be diagnosed with what's known as an MDMA use disorder. Treatment for this condition is largely composed of addiction therapy in a drug rehab setting.
You may be exposed to cognitive behavioral therapy during your treatment. This will help to change the way you think. It will also work to alter your behavior patterns. You'll learn how to cope with stress in your life, and how to live without this drug regularly.
Professional treatment is essential for a successful recovery, long-term. Without it, you are at risk for a relapse because of the severity of withdrawal.
Once you stop taking Molly, you'll find that withdrawal will begin shortly thereafter. The symptoms you experience are largely due to the decrease of serotonin in your brain.
Some of the signs of MDMA withdrawal include:
These side effects make it extremely hard to recover without professional support. In a drug rehab, you'll get the help you need to deal with your symptoms. It may even be possible to decrease their severity through therapy, or in some cases, with medications.
It is absolutely possible to overdose on this drug, and many people do. Some will do so unknowingly because they received a dose that was too high for them. However, the majority of people will overdose when they relapse after trying to quit.
According to Poison Control, the symptoms of Ecstasy overdose are easy to identify. They can include:
These symptoms are not going to go away with time. An overdose of this drug is deadly, and immediate medical help is needed.
It doesn't really matter how long you have been using this substance. If you've become addicted to it, you need to get help right away. Ecstasy addiction help is available to you, and here at Ashwood Recovery, we'd like to assist you.
One of the hardest things you'll ever do is reach out for help with your addiction. It's difficult to admit that you've let your drug use get out of hand. However, the preservation of your life is more important than anything else. MDMA is dangerous, and each use of this drug could be life threatening for you. Taking the steps to get assistance now is the best decision you could possibly make.
You'll find that we offer the services you need to address your addiction. Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) might be just the type of flexible treatment you need. As always, your recovery is our ultimate goal.
Our admissions coordinators are here to help you get started with treatment the right way. They'll verify your health insurance, help set up travel arrangements, and make sure your transition into treatment is smooth and hassle-free.
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