How Rehab Programs Treat Ecstasy Addicts

 

What is Ecstasy

Ecstasy -- the drug of choice for the ultimate rave party. This drug is known to cause a quick high that may be accompanied by feelings of warmth as well as the occasional hallucination. Unfortunately, it is also known to cause some nasty side effects, including severe anxiety, rapid heart rate and problems with body temperature control. When taken in combination with other illicit substances (as ecstasy almost always is), these problems can be made all the more severe.

Although not abused on nearly the same widespread level as alcohol or marijuana, ecstasy continues to serve a significant problem in a number of drug-riddled communities. Also known as MDMA, the synthetic substance is believed to create a high similar to that found in many hallucinogens. This is accomplished through interference with the body's natural levels of such neurotransmitters as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

Is Ecstasy Addictive?

Researchers disagree as to whether the addictive element in ecstasy can be considered on the same level of that for other illicit drugs. Any addictive response that does occur is largely a result of rapid alterations in brain chemistry -- especially the quick increases in norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin that occur following consumption of the substance. Surges in serotonin are most likely to be responsible for increased cravings that ecstasy users may begin to experience. However, unlike with opioids and other illicit substances, immediate cessation of ecstasy rarely causes significant withdrawal symptoms. Heavy users are most likely to experience cravings and heightened anxiety in the aftermath of drug cessation.

Treating Ecstasy Addicts In Rehab

Ecstasy abusers who find themselves genuinely addicted to the drug may require some assistance as they attempt to secure full sobriety. MDMA is not as physically addictive as other drugs focused on in rehabilitation centers, which is why the majority of the rehab experience is focused less on the elimination of withdrawal symptoms (which often do not occur at all) and more on the psychological struggle of giving up the drug.

Frequent users of ecstasy may have to be monitored as they begin treatment, for, unfortunately, a common side effect of this substance involves hallucinations occurring long after the drug has been completely out of the user's system. When these hallucinations occur in the relative safety and security of a drug rehab program, they generally are not all that dangerous. It is the hallucination in the midst of operating a motor vehicle that is most often responsible for causing severe injury and even death.

Once any potential withdrawal symptoms have been taken care of, the patient is then ready to begin an intensive round of therapy aimed at treating any problems that might have initially led to addiction. There is a high rate of correlation between addiction to illicit substances and depression, so in many situations, the therapy provided at rehab may be the perfect opportunity to address this highly significant addiction trigger.

Outpatient Treatment For Ecstasy Addiction

Once the initial difficulties related to sobriety have been dealt with successfully, it is time for the patient to move on to some sort of follow-up care. Extensive research shows that those in recovery from addiction are far more likely to stay sober if they taper their full-time treatment into less intensive outpatient programs. Some level of medical monitoring may take during outpatient treatment to ensure that the recovering addict is functioning on a physical level. However, the bulk of the outpatient process is dedicated to one-on-one sessions with counselors, as well as participation in larger therapy groups.

To the outsider, ecstasy might seem like an exciting drug worth trying for that notorious high. But the addicted abuser knows better; ecstasy dependence is rough on both the body and mind. Rehabilitation centers targeted at ecstasy abusers can ease the burden on the struggling patient, making recovery seem like less of an impossibility and more of a soon-to-be-achieved reality. And when combined with some variety of outpatient aftercare, this model can be one of the most effective at minimizing the potential for relapse. Ecstasy addiction need not ever be a permanent condition!