Is Ecstasy Addictive?

June 10, 2020 - Drug Facts - 0 Comments

If there’s one drug that is named for what it supposedly delivers, then ecstasy would win over other narcotics. As the name suggests, the drug promises to provide an overwhelming feeling of pleasure and excitement that can sometimes be beyond reason and self-control.

It’s no wonder why ecstasy, which is the tablet form of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) became popular in rave and night club scenes.

While ecstasy is still being widely used by recreational drug users in 2020, this drug experienced peak popularity in the 1960s, 1980s, and the early 2000s. Multi-colored ecstasy tablets are often used by party goers who want to experience a more intense club experience. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to be offered some E, X, XTC, or Beans, which are street names for ecstasy when you go to a club or a music festival.

If you have not tried using ecstasy before and have been offered the drug, you might be wondering whether ecstasy is addictive. Will you get addicted to ecstasy if you just take it for the first time? How soon can you be addicted to ecstasy? The answer to these questions will really depend on how much of the drug you are actually taking, how often you’re taking the drug, and whether the drug you’re taking is mixed with other substances.

However, the answer to the simple question whether ecstasy is addictive is – YES. It is possible to form an addiction to the drug. Like with any other drug, developing an addiction will depend on several lifestyle factors.

The Ecstasy Euphoria: Why You Get Addicted

It is important to understand what makes ecstasy addictive. Some people might argue that ecstasy or MDMA is less habit forming compared to other drugs. However, that does not mean that the risk of addiction is non-existent.

One of the reasons ecstasy users keep on using the drugs is because of the euphoric effects they get from taking the drug. Ecstasy is a stimulant drug that provides intense euphoria and psychoactive effects. Unlike other drugs that sedate or calm you, stimulant drugs like ecstasy give you more energy, uplift your mood, and heighten your senses. If you’re having a bad week or worse, a bad year, being on an ecstasy high can be an attractive form of escape.

People who are suffering from depression, stress, or anxiety are at higher risk of developing a psychological dependence to the drug, which could lead to substance addiction. This is because using drugs like ecstasy could be their way to cope with their condition. When they start feeling the constant state of happiness and euphoria because of the drug, they could develop a craving for the drug which could lead to regular, repetitive use.

Those who are exposed to the drug on a more regular basis are also more at risk. For example, if you go to nightclubs almost every night and take an ecstasy tablet every time, you could be addicted much sooner.

Some ecstasy users confess that they use drugs like ecstasy when partying because ecstasy is much cheaper than alcohol. The effects last longer without them having to spend too much money. While this might be an incentive for users,. Especially young adults, to try ecstasy, what many do not realize is that there are dangers associated with ecstasy.

The Dangers of Ecstasy

If you’re planning to experiment with ecstasy, think twice before you do. It is better to avoid taking the drug rather than suffering some serious consequences. You might think that taking the drug just one time will not hurt. However, you might not be prepared for the after effects that you could experience after taking ecstasy.

Many ecstasy users report that the rebound effect after taking the drug is brutal. Once the euphoric effects wear down, you could feel severely depressed and sick one to two days after using the drug. These negative emotions even led many ecstasy users to take their own lives. This is why the depressive period experienced mid-week by users after taking the ecstasy during the weekend has been referred to as “Suicide Tuesdays”.

Another unknown danger associated with the use of ecstasy is that according to reports, 30% to 60% of the ecstasy sold in the United States is not pure MDMA. This means that many ecstasy tablets can contain a number of different chemicals and this can be very dangerous.

The reason why this is dangerous is because you have no way of knowing what you’re putting in your body. If anything happens to you, it will be harder for emergency medical responders to give you the right treatment. Not knowing what’s in the drug can also increase the risk of overdose and even death.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment center today.