Statistically, MDMA use has been identified in various age groups, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse reporting use among adolescents and young adults. This highlights the importance of understanding the potential long-term impact on this demographic, particularly as their brains how to stop binge drinking are still developing. Education on harm reduction and awareness of the drug’s potential dangers is crucial for those who choose to use MDMA, as emphasized by sources like RollSafe.org and Drug Science. It also has some hallucinogenic properties similar to mescaline or peyote.
What are the effects of MDMA?
The withdrawal symptoms ultimately depend on the person, how much ecstasy they use, how frequently they use it, the dosage, and the ingredients in the ecstasy they take. Research regarding stimulant withdrawal shows that the symptoms may last an average of five days to three weeks, according to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. The most commonly reported symptoms in this study were aches and pains, impaired social functioning, irritability, and depressed mood. Ecstasy, or MDMA, is a type of synthetic drug that changes perception and mood. This drug is typically found in pill form, but there are liquid versions that people inject. In order to help someone struggling with an addiction to MDMA, you first need to be able to recognize and identify the signs.
How is MDMA used?
Research has shown that animals will self-administer MDMA, an indicator of a drug’s abuse potential. Users may take several tablets at once or in succession over a period of time. Abusers may also use in conjunction with other psychoactive drugs like LSD. As with many other “party drugs”, ecstasy is rarely used alone and it is frequently combined with alcohol and marijuana.
Short-Term Effects of Molly
Essentially the larger the dosage, the greater the amount of serotonin that will get depleted. The long-term health effects of MDMA are still being investigated, but some research has found that heavy use may impact memory over time. MDMA is a Schedule I drug but it is still widely abused drug rehab for pregnant women specialized prenatal treatment by many people. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 4.9 million people (or 1.9 percent of the population) reported using a hallucinogen drug sometime during the past year. MDMA is a synthetic drug more commonly referred to by its street names, Ecstasy or Molly.
Be around supportive people (friends and family), avoid places that may trigger cravings, eat healthy, stay productive, and exercise. For someone who has used Ecstasy on a daily basis, it would make obvious sense that withdrawal would be a much greater challenge than for someone who has used ecstasy recreationally once every so often. The average withdrawal timeline for full recovery is roughly 90 days for most drugs. It will obviously have been well out of your body by then, and your nervous system is rewiring itself to account for the lack of MDMA.
The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. MDMA first became popular in nightclubs, but people now take it in a wide range of settings. Researchers are also studying MDMA as a treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in supervised clinical research trials. Read more about MDMA research on the National Institute of Mental Health website. If you are a medical doctor, clinician, or other professional in a field related to this topic and find errors or inaccuracies within this content, please contact us at
It may be difficult to detect if a person is using ecstasy, but you may notice behavioral and physical changes. However, knowing your treatment options and having the right support can make a big difference. After the primary effects of MDMA subside, a person may experience a “comedown,” which is similar to a hangover or mild withdrawal. It can be difficult to determine how long MDMA will last, due to the fact that ecstasy/molly are rarely pure MDMA. In fact, many of these illegal drugs contain little, if any, actual MDMA. This drug shares similarities with both stimulants and hallucinogens.
Addiction specialists and health care providers can aid people during the acute detox process. There is little literature that talks about ecstasy detox and the withdrawal timeline. Many symptoms experienced during a ‘crash’ – such as depression, anxiety, and irritability – have been likened to molly withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxification, or detox, is the process of removing a drug from a person’s system. This occurs through a natural metabolizing process, and can trigger withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal process is not going to be the same for every person coming off MDMA. The symptoms a person experiences, and their severity, can differ depending on a variety of factors.
Home detox also has a higher risk for relapse, as people can sometimes take another MDMA dose to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Medical support is advised during any drug detox process, both to reduce risk for relapse and provide treatment for symptoms as needed. We have several treatment programs including inpatient and outpatient treatment. Rehab facilities that offer dual diagnosis are often staffed with psychiatrists or clinical therapists that can diagnose and/or treat co-occurring mental health conditions. This kind of treatment is especially useful for people who have underlying issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Therefore, proactive prevention and early treatment are key components in reducing MDMA addiction and withdrawal occurrences. The integration of these therapeutic interventions can significantly aid individuals undergoing MDMA withdrawal. It can reduce the severity of symptoms and support long-term recovery. As research continues, more targeted treatments may become available, improving outcomes for those struggling with MDMA use disorder. These can include dehydration, hyperthermia, and involuntary jaw clenching. In severe cases, individuals may experience hyponatremia, heart damage, and even death.
- Research has shown that MDMA exposure can lead to neurotoxic effects on both serotonin and dopamine neurons.
- The third phase can last longer than a week and will vary depending on the severity of use.
- The goal of these interventions is to address the underlying mental health issues that may have contributed to MDMA use.
- Research has shown that animals will self-administer MDMA, an indicator of a drug’s abuse potential.
- Withdrawal from MDMA is unique in that it tends to be primarily psychological.
Getting help for ecstasy withdrawal pains in a medical detox facility can greatly reduce the severity of these symptoms. Staff is trained to recognize these symptoms, reduce their severity, and aid the user with care, support, and counseling. Intensive outpatient programs are less involved than partial hospitalization programs and typically take place at a treatment center or outpatient clinic. Clients receiving intensive outpatient treatment will usually visit the center 2 to 5 days per week for 2 to 4 hours per day. IOP is well suited to clients who have just completed inpatient rehab and who wish to receive intense treatment while living off-site.
Once you’ve identified signs of an MDMA addiction, talk to the person about it. Provide information and resources, and let him or her know that they have your love and full support. When it seems appropriate, you can refer the person to a professional drug rehab facility like Yellowstone Recovery. However, to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, a person must meet specific diagnostic criteria for continued substance use despite negative consequences.
MDMA (Ecstasy) increases the activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. After the effects of Ecstasy wear off, the brain will be depleted of serotonin, resulting in withdrawal symptoms. Increase your access to support by connecting with a substance use treatment provider. They can walk you through the process of examining your needs, building a recovery-focused lifestyle, and shaping connections that promote your health and wellness.
MDMA induces the release of abnormally high levels of serotonin, leading to an immediate euphoric experience. However, this surge also results in a subsequent depletion of serotonin in the brain. In turn, this can contribute alcoholics anonymous to negative psychological effects such as confusion, depression, anxiety, and memory impairment. The neurobiological underpinnings of MDMA addiction are complex and involve several neurotransmitter systems.
Look specifically for accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and The Joint Commission. Check with the state where the center is located to make sure it has the proper licensing. When talking to loved ones about your concerns, you may find that they will downplay the issue or deny that they have a legitimate addiction. If this is the case, have them answer the following self-screening questions. Answering these questions aloud may provide the insight necessary for the person to recognize the MDMA addiction for what it is.
Recently, the FDA designated MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD as a Breakthrough Therapy and ongoing MDMA studies can be found on clinicaltrials.gov. The DEA considers MDMA an illegal schedule I drug with no recognized medical uses. In addition, fentanyl has been increasingly found cut into other street drugs, often unknown by the user and leading to fatalities. Have you been using MDMA for years or just a couple months off and on? Obviously the longer-term basis for which you have turned to this drug, the more difficulties you will have with your withdrawal. Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help.
But because of the drug’s long half-life, molly stays in your system even longer and can be detected in urine for up to four days. When a person needs addiction treatment for MDMA abuse, taking the first step can often be the most overwhelming part of drug use recovery. Unfortunately, studies on ecstasy addiction are complicated due to the fact that many ecstasy tablets are laced with other drugs that may cause cravings and other signs of addiction. Once this information is determined, if the coverage is not complete, you can call the centers you are interested in to learn more about financial assistance. Exactly what happens during ecstasy withdrawal is not well documented. However, scientists have determined that the drug is similar to hallucinogens and stimulants.
When scans ruled out other illnesses, she gradually stopped each of four medications. Start with a professional you trust, like a doctor or pharmacist, said Lisa McCarthy, a pharmacist and deprescribing expert at the University of Toronto. Chronic or heavy use of MDMA may cause long-lasting effects, including psychiatric problems. While MDMA is derived from amphetamines, which are stimulants, the drug also has chemical similarities to mescaline, a hallucinogen that comes from the peyote cactus. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at
