Author: John Carter

Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, Causes And Treatment

These programs can include counseling, group therapy, 12-Step groups, skills development, goal setting, and relapse prevention training. Below are the symptoms and timelines that occur with ecstasy withdrawal and the range of treatment options available. While every individual is unique and will have different needs, many centers provide tailored recovery plans.

Long-term treatment also provides an opportunity for the individual to physically withdraw from ecstasy while they focus on their mental and emotional rehabilitation. Each person has different needs in a detox center and should consider locations, cost, available programs and long-term support services in their decision. The safest way to detox from Molly is to get in touch with addiction medicine professionals and enter a medical detox program. While withdrawal from MDMA is generally not life-threatening, it can affect many organ systems and cause potential harm.

Ecstasy Therapy Options

IOP is well suited to clients who have just completed inpatient rehab and who wish to receive intense treatment while living off-site. If withdrawal symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, this is sometimes referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). For ecstasy, this extended period can be due to underlying mental health conditions, especially if the individual has anxiety and/or depression. 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.

Jenn is a Canadian writer and poet with a background in psychology, sociology, and natural health. She is the founder of The Master in You, a mental wellness site that provides information about the role that thoughts and emotions play in our physical and emotional health. Jenn is passionate about inner growth and the power of the mind-body connection, and this informs her writing and research on addiction treatment. On Rehabaid, Jenn aims to write accessible, informative content and provide resources that can help people make empowered and informed decisions about their recovery. Detox programs are available at certain clinics and medical facilities where they supervise a person’s drug withdrawal and provide supportive medications where necessary. These clinics are usually staffed with a team of doctors and nurses who have experience with addiction and drug withdrawal.

Law enforcement has found that when someone buys Ecstasy, they are only getting a tablet or capsule with MDMA about 60% of the time. When you take Ecstasy on a regular basis, stopping the drug causes withdrawal symptoms because the brain cells are producing fewer neurotransmitters than they need. An ecstasy user does not necessarily have to be dependent upon the drug for adverse effects to continue long after the drug has been administered. Clinically, ecstasy withdrawal is not well documented and research on ecstasy abuse and dependence is not conclusive.

Avoiding Triggers

Known for its widespread use as a “party drug”, ecstasy is commonly taken by young adults to boost their mood and energy, which can lead to emotional and psychological addiction. This is especially the case for individuals with underlying mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, as withdrawal from the drug can exacerbate these conditions. Short-term inpatient centers typically start with medical detox and are followed by a program of addiction treatment such as therapy or counseling for 30 to 90 days. These programs range from basic inpatient to luxury options, all varying in terms of their amenities and types of therapy. Long-term inpatient treatment varies in length but typically ranges between 3 to 18 months. This type of rehab is best suited to individuals with long-term chronic addictions, especially those who have co-occurring mental health issues.

This kind of treatment is especially useful for people who have underlying issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This allows clinicians to safely address these conditions alongside withdrawal from the ecstasy itself. For individuals who are seeking intensive treatment but still prefer to live at home, partial hospitalization (PHP) or day treatment programs are also available. PHP typically consists of hospital treatment 5 to 7 days a week for 4 to 8 hours per day.

1. Each person has different needs in a detox center and should consider locations, cost, available programs and long-term support services in their decision.
2. During this period, individuals may experience increased depression and memory problems, along with cravings and insomnia.
3. These sessions are designed to promote self-esteem and self-worth while the patient and therapist work together to reinforce positive behavioral changes.
4. IOP is well suited to clients who have just completed inpatient rehab and who wish to receive intense treatment while living off-site.
5. Exercise is great for improving cardiovascular health, which is especially important following substance abuse.

Uncomfortable symptoms of a crash then fuel craving because a person wants to stop the negative symptoms. Since ecstasy has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, its withdrawal syndrome can appear somewhat like that of other stimulants (as hallucinogens do not have a conclusive withdrawal syndrome). Ecstasy addiction is not well studied, therefore, symptoms of tolerance, dependence and withdrawal are not well characterized. Once used as only a party or “rave” drug, ecstasy is gaining popularity for general abuse because of its perceived “safety” (many new users believe ecstasy is not a harmful drug)—which is not the case. Detoxing from ecstasy is best done safely under medical supervision where clinicians can keep you safe and comfortable. Ecstasy tablets have been found to contain ketamine, MDA (a designer drug similar to Ecstasy), cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cathinones (“bath salts“).

Standard Outpatient Programs

A detox center will place you in comfortable surroundings where you can be assured of help in case of emergencies. This is all dependent on how long the person has been taking ecstasy, how much they took during their last session, and what other drugs were used simultaneously. The third phase can last longer than a week and will vary depending on the severity of use. During this period, individuals may experience increased depression and memory problems, along with cravings and insomnia.

This kind of therapy is useful for people who have been addicted to ecstasy, especially those who have underlying conditions such as anxiety or depression. Standard outpatient programs are suited to individuals who have just completed an inpatient program and want to continue some form of therapy. Standard outpatient is also ideal for people who may be juggling other responsibilities such as work or school. Recovering from ecstasy addiction can be challenging, but there are ways to make this process easier. Along with treatment, lifestyle adjustments and self-care can ease the symptoms while transitioning to a new life.

In essence, CBT helps clients learn new, drug-free ways to cope with triggers that might encourage them to use ecstasy again. This includes an understanding of how situations, people, or the environment can trigger an addictive desire to take ecstasy, or how to introduce healthy behaviors that can steer them away from using. CBT is known to be effective and long-lasting as clients can continue utilizing these strategies once their therapy sessions have ended. Depending on the severity of the addiction, long-term treatment may be a good option especially as many programs address the underlying emotional causes of one’s drug abuse. Drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine may be mixed into Ecstasy and have a higher potential for addiction and harm than MDMA alone.

Treatment for Ecstasy Withdrawal

These sessions are designed to promote self-esteem and self-worth while the patient and therapist work together to reinforce positive behavioral changes. PHP also involves counseling and group therapy as well as specialized services that focus on skill-building, relapse prevention, and employment assistance. The single biggest complicating factor of Ecstasy withdrawal is that it is usually not pure MDMA but a mixture of multiple drugs.

How Long Does Ecstasy Withdrawal Last?

However, the symptoms are milder compared with other drugs like meth, cocaine, and some prescription drugs. It is important to know what to expect during Ecstasy withdrawal if you or a loved one are addicted to the drug. Seeking medical help during Ecstasy withdrawal can help alleviate both withdrawal symptoms and the risk of complications. Depending on the level of addiction, withdrawal symptoms may begin immediately after stopping Ecstasy or a few days later.