Best Rehabs for Ecstasy Addiction

If someone is overdosing, call 911, or your local emergency services number, immediately. If you are qualified, administer CPR. Use Naloxone (Narcan) if available.

Ecstasy, or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine), is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. It’s chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens. It produces increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception.

MDMA increases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurotransmitter activity in the brain. A flood of these neurotransmitters causes the mood-lifting effects of MDMA.

Ecstasy is commonly found as a tablet or pill, often stamped with various symbols or logos. It can also be crystalline or powdered, sometimes referred to as "molly," which is often used to imply a purer form of MDMA, (content can vary widely). It may also be called XTC, rolls, E, X, and beans.

Effects of Ecstasy

In the short term, using ecstasy can cause euphoria and high energy; however, it also causes dehydration, increased heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea.

Prolonged ecstasy use over time can produce memory problems, anxiety, depression , and insomnia. Physically, it can also cause high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and liver and kidney damage.

Risks of Ecstasy

Due to the increased release of serotonin in the brain, MDMA can lead to serotonin syndrome. Too much serotonin can be potentially life-threatening with symptoms such as agitation, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, muscle rigidity, confusion, and seizures.

Ecstasy is often found in pressed pill form, meaning that other additives can be used to create the pill. Bad actors may cut the ecstasy with cheaper ingredients, such as fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is extremely easy to overdose on. Overdosing on fentanyl can occur even when a small amount is ingested, and the depressant effects on the central nervous system cause life threatening reactions. During fentanyl overdose, there is usually respiratory failure, where breathing becomes slow, shallow, or even stops completely. Without immediate medical intervention, an overdose can be fatal.

Rehab for Ecstasy

Ecstasy addiction is very treatable. After detoxing (if necessary), you’ll begin therapy to get to the root of your addiction and learn coping skills to manage cravings. Some people with ecstasy addiction may need a more intensive level of care to help monitor and manage their symptoms. When talking to your doctor, consider discussing which level of care best fits your needs:

• Outpatient (OP) : You’ll meet 1-2x per week with your provider and others in treatment.
• Intensive outpatient (IOP) : You’ll meet 3-5x per week for several hours at a time for more intensive care.
• Partial hospitalization (PHP): You’ll meet 5-7 times a week for a full day.
• Residential: You’ll live in a rehab for 28+ days and engage in treatment with a comprehensive staff and a community of peers.
• Inpatient: You’ll live in a treatment center or hospital-like setting and have 24/7 monitoring.

Managing ecstasy addiction can be a complex and individualized process. Working with a licensed professional who’s experienced in ecstasy addiction can help guide you through the healing process. They will provide you with appropriate tools, techniques, and support tailored to your specific needs. You may engage in talk therapies such as

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to learn how to replace unhealthy thought patterns with more affirming ones.
• Contingency management (CM) that provides positive reinforcement, such as rewards or incentives, for maintaining abstinence from ecstasy.
• Relapse prevention counseling to learn techniques to manage addiction cravings and other symptoms.
• Motivational interviewing to explore the reasons why you want to recover and use that purpose to motivate change.

Can you relapse on ecstasy?

Yes, it is possible to relapse on ecstasy. If this happens, talk to your doctor and seek professional treatment. You may participate in programs that focus on relapse prevention planning along with skills building and evidence-based therapies .

Relapse isn’t a failure, but rather an opportunity to find treatment that better fits your needs and keeps you on the path to sobriety.

Questions to Ask My Provider

If you’re looking for ecstasy treatment, talk to your primary care doctor. They can refer you to a substance use rehab to start your recovery. When talking to your provider, consider asking these questions:

1. What are the benefits of the different types of treatment available? What are the risks?
2. Are there any specific medical or psychiatric assessments I should do before starting treatment?
3. What does relapse prevention planning look like?
4. Is there treatment that can address any co-occurring disorders that I have?
5. Does insurance cover treatment?

How Can I Find Support?

• Rehabs for Ecstasy
• Telehealth Provider
• Talk to a supportive friend or family member
• Talk to your primary care physician
• National Helplines