MDMA Rehab

Finding out about the effects and risks associated of MDMA can help you determine if you or your loved one needs to enrol in a MDMA rehab program. Technically named 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA is the chemical name for ecstasy, a common party drug. In pure form, it is a white, crystalline powder, but it is often sold in pill form and can be cut with a variety of other substances. Most drug rehab programs are suitable for treatment of MDMA addiction, and learning about the drug can help you understand the severity of the issue.

MDMA is usually ingested by swallowing. Ecstasy pills can ground up into powder to be snorted or smoked, but are usually chewed and swallowed. The pure, crystal MDMA is often “dabbed” onto the gums or crushed up finely and snorted. Smoking or snorting the drug produces effects quicker than if it is swallowed, because the chemical doesn’t have to go through the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream. When MDMA is eaten, it can take over an hour to feel the effects, and some users will take another in the mistaken assumption that the first dose isn’t working.

The effects of the drug can be simply described as euphoria. The user will feel a deep connection and positivity towards other people, experience colours and music as more intense, feel extremely alert and become exceptionally talkative. These effects are caused by MDMA’s impact on the neurons within the brain which use the neurotransmitter serotonin, important for regulating mood, sleep, sexual activity and sensitivity to pain. It causes a surge in serotonin and also in norepinephrine, which causes increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Learning about the risks of MDMA helps you understand why drug rehab might be a good idea for users. In the short term, the “comedown” is the most noticeable negative effect. This is a period of depression and lethargy after the drug has worn off. If the drug is taken long term, the user can experience anxiety, depression and memory problems throughout their life. Some people can also have negative reactions to the drug, and this is much more likely in people who have heart conditions, epilepsy, asthma or blood pressure problems.

There is an additional risk of dehydration and of over-hydration in people taking MDMA. The drug interferes with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and when combined with a hot night club and excessive dancing, this can easily result in dehydration. It also causes the body to release a hormone which stops urine from being produced. This means that if the user drinks more than a pint of water per hour, the brain can swell and sometimes cause death.

Although MDMA isn’t physically addictive, users can develop a tolerance and a psychological addiction to it. Drug rehab programs don’t offer any medication to addicts, instead focusing on the psychological elements of addiction. Counsellors identify the factors which drive the individual to take drugs and work to replace dangerous coping methods with healthier ones. When the person gains a greater understanding of the reasons he or she takes drugs, it is much easier to stop.

If you or a loved one are battling with addiction and considering a drug rehab program, get in touch with us for some free advice! We have a detailed knowledge of the different drug rehab facilities available and the treatment options offered by each. MDMA addiction is unlikely to require residential drug rehab, but many other programs can be a benefit to users. Don’t struggle to make the decision alone; pick up the phone and see what we can do for you!