Ecstasy is a drug that’s associated with feelings of euphoria, love, and pleasure. It’s a “club drug” that’s popular in raves, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. Ecstasy refers to the chemical MDMA, which is both a psychedelic drug and a stimulant. Users might take ecstasy pills that are almost always mixed with other substances and drugs, such as cocaine. “Pure” MDMA is a powder that’s often snorted, but it is also usually cut with other ingredients. Ecstasy is less physically addicting than other drugs, but frequent users can absolutely develop a dependence on the drug, which is often mostly a psychological dependence. If you want to quit ecstasy, you absolutely can if you have the true desire and dedication to do so.
MDMA affects your neurotransmitters, which allow nerve cells in your brain to communicate with each other. It increases the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and these neurotransmitters affect your mood, happiness, sleep, appetite, trust, sexual arousal, and social experiences. The surge of those chemicals that MDMA causes, however, depletes your brain of them; the rush of good feelings MDMA causes initially will lead to an unpleasant crash later. Physically, MDMA can cause an increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and dehydration/extreme thirst. It affects your body’s ability to regulate temperature, leading your body to overheat. It can cause teeth grinding, muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, and difficulty sleeping. Overdose of ecstasy can be fatal, as it can lead to heat stroke or heart failure.
When you try to quit ecstasy, withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe. Shortly after the effects of ecstasy wear off on your body, you may experience symptoms like sadness/depression, anxiety, confusion, and difficulty sleeping or extreme fatigue. People who quit ecstasy can also experience more extreme withdrawal symptoms, especially if they used large amounts of MDMA or on a regular basis. Symptoms include prolonged depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, panic attacks, paranoid delusions, hallucinations, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty with memory and thought.
If you want to quit ecstasy, the best way to do it is in a detox center under the supervision of medical professionals. Doctors will be able to prescribe medication to help you deal with the withdrawal symptoms as you quit ecstasy. After detox, a stay in a rehab center is also recommended. If you were addicted to MDMA, you will benefit from being in a controlled environment as you quit ecstasy and cope with the after-effects of your use and addiction. If you choose to quit ecstasy on your own, it is possible, but it is always recommended to talk with your doctor about a plan to quit ecstasy safely and successfully. Whether you quit ecstasy alone or with help, long-term care is necessary. Counseling, support groups, and lifestyle changes, for example, can help you maintain abstinence. Some people may need psychiatric care for some time after they quit ecstasy, and they may be prescribed drugs, like antidepressants, for short or long periods of time to help them cope with lasting effects of their ecstasy use and withdrawal.
