Ecstasy is one of the many and varied types of drugs, as new types are constantly being invented. Drugs are divided into two types: natural, which are grown without chemical intervention, such as marijuana, and synthetic, which are produced through chemical processes, such as heroin. In this context, we will talk about ecstasy, which is considered a type of stimulant and has a strong and dangerous psychological effect, and is derived from amphetamine. Some know it as the joy and happiness pills, which is its common name in Europe, while some Egyptians call it "Assas". As for those who use this drug, they are called "Maxis". In the following lines of my Dalili Medical our medical team will provide comprehensive information about ecstasy addiction and what you should notice in yourself or in a loved one.

Does ecstasy (MDMA) cause addiction?The results of studies on the effect of ecstasy (MDMA) on addiction have varied, but most evidence indicates that it can cause addiction, albeit to a lesser extent compared to other types of drugs. Mild withdrawal symptoms appear, and dependence is often psychological and behavioral rather than physical. Therefore, it requires psychological treatment and behavioral rehabilitation programs to get rid of this addiction.

How is ecstasy (MDMA) addiction treated?

 

Treating ecstasy addiction requires a treatment program that focuses on psychotherapy and behavioral change. In some cases, it may be necessary to undergo a detoxification process and treat withdrawal symptoms.

How are toxins removed from the body?

 

Sometimes, cases of ecstasy addiction may require a specialized medication program to deal with withdrawal symptoms such as depression and memory impairment, which helps alleviate the suffering during this process.

**What are the methods of psychotherapy?**

 

Psychotherapy includes individual and group sessions aimed at addressing the causes that led to addiction, in addition to psychological illnesses resulting from abuse such as depression and hallucinations.

**How ​​can an addict's behavior be changed?**

 

A comprehensive change in the addict's behavior is achieved through behavioral rehabilitation programs, which aim to replace behaviors and thoughts associated with addiction with other positive behaviors.

**Can Ecstasy Addiction Be Treated at Home?**

 

Getting through the withdrawal phase on your own is difficult, especially with the strong feelings of depression that may control the addict. Therefore, it is preferable to treat under medical supervision in a hospital specialized in psychological treatment and rehabilitation, where the latest therapeutic methods and approaches are available. These programs include detoxification, individual and family psychotherapy, in addition to treating relapse cases, which suits all patients and their levels.

**What are the common names for Ecstasy?**

 

This drug is known among people by several names, including: love pills, self pills, MDMA, Molly, Adam's pills, XTC, and deadly happiness pills.

**How ​​long does it take to treat Ecstasy addiction?**

 

The duration of treatment varies from one individual to another based on the period of abuse, but on average, the process takes about 3 to 6 months, and includes treating Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms, in addition to psychological treatment and social rehabilitation.

**How ​​long do ecstasy withdrawal symptoms last?**

 

Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms can last for just a few days, or they can last for a few weeks or even months after stopping use, depending on how long you have been using it. The higher the dose, the longer and more complex the withdrawal symptoms will be.

**Why do ecstasy withdrawal symptoms last so long?**

 

It takes the brain some time to restore its levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin to normal, and this takes additional time that varies from person to person depending on how long you have been using the drug.

**Does ecstasy cause hallucinations?**

 

Yes, ecstasy users and addicts have shown a variety of hallucinations, both auditory and visual. The user may hear voices that others cannot hear, and they may also see visual hallucinations, where objects and people appear to them in abnormal shapes and interact with them. It is believed that this is due to the effect of ecstasy on the communication between chemicals in the brain.

What are ecstasy pills or happiness pills?

 

Ecstasy, also known as ecstasy, causes the release of serotonin in the brain, giving a person a feeling of well-being, happiness and vitality. However, this feeling is quite deceptive. Ecstasy addiction can cause serious side effects, including severe depression due to a lack of serotonin. The effects of this drug, which is taken orally, begin after about 30-40 minutes and last for 3-4 hours. MDMA (3-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) was synthesized in 1914. Ecstasy pills are an amphetamine stimulant, which has a stimulant and hallucinogenic effect. These pills are often taken at loud dance parties, accompanied by certain types of music such as metal or techno. Often, ecstasy is taken with other substances such as cannabis, alcohol, paracetamol, and ketamine to enhance its effect on the brain. These pills come in colorful tablets with attractive shapes such as butterflies and flowers, which encourages users to use them. Ecstasy is taken in several ways, including:

**Methods of taking tablets:**

- Swallowing the tablets.

- Crushing the tablets and snorting them.

- Injecting after adding the ground powder to water.

**Ingredients:**Ecstasy pills consist of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as a drug, which is a derivative of amphetamine and belongs to the phenethylamine family. This drug is manufactured in the laboratory, and other substances such as caffeine, amphetamine, dextromethorphan, ketamine, LSD, and even cocaine can be added to it to enhance its effect.

Ecstasy pills sometimes contain highly toxic substances, such as paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), which is considered dangerous even in low doses. Ecstasy is often taken onIt is taken orally in tablet form, but can also be available in powder form that is snorted or injected to produce a high.

Ecstasy pills come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and some manufacturers may stamp them with a specific brand logo, such as a butterfly, to give them an attractive candy-like appearance.

**Types**

Types vary based on the ingredients in the pill, with the most common types being “Motorolas” and “Mitsubishis.” There are also double or triple stacked pills that contain double or triple the amount of ecstasy compared to regular doses. To add further complexity to the manufacturing process, ecstasy may be replaced with paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) or paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) to produce stronger stimulant effects, but these compounds produce those effects more slowly and take longer, increasing the risk of overdose. In addiction circles, ecstasy types are known by names such as: Molly, MDMA, XTC, and X.

**How ​​does MDMA affect the brain?**

 

MDMA, also known as the happiness pill, is a stimulant that greatly affects the functions of the brain and nervous system. This happens through a disruption in the levels of neurohormones, including:

1. **Dopamine:** Ecstasy increases the activity of the hormone dopamine, which is responsible for movement and activity, making the user feel hyperactive and unstoppable.

2. **Norepinephrine:**   The increase in the secretion of norepinephrine leads to an acceleration of the heartbeat and an increase in blood pressure, which may put a person at risk of a heart attack, especially if he has heart or blood vessel problems.

3. **Serotonin:**   Happiness pills increase the secretion of serotonin, a neurohormone that affects mood, appetite, and sexual arousal.

**How ​​long does ecstasy remain in urine:**

 

For people who use the drug regularly, it can be detected in urine tests for up to 5 days after the last dose. In general, ecstasy stays in urine for 2 to 4 days and can be detected in drug tests.

**How ​​long does ecstasy stay in the blood:**

 

Ecstasy can usually be detected in the blood for up to 3 days (72 hours) after the last dose.

**How ​​long does ecstasy stay in hair:**Hair tests can detect the presence of hallucinogenic drugs in hair for several months after the last use, depending on the length of the hair and where the sample is taken.

**How ​​long does ecstasy stay in saliva:**Ecstasy can remain detectable in a saliva test for approximately 3 days (72 hours) after the last use

**When did ecstasy become popular?**

Ecstasy began to be used in the 1980s and is still popular in Western countries. Initially, there were attempts to trade ecstasy pills in Egypt, but they were limited to certain categories and in specific places, such as private villas or palaces in remote areas, or even on board Nile boats. Recently, ecstasy pills have witnessed increasing popularity, as they are no longer limited to parties and private gatherings, but are also used in well-known halls and shopping centers.

**How ​​long do hallucinogens stay in the body**

 

The effects of the drug vary depending on the amount of use. The standard dose of hallucinogenic pills leads to the most severe effects appearing 15 to 30 minutes after the onset of symptoms. The effects of the drug usually last from 3 to 6 hours, but it is known that some symptoms may last for several days or weeks. After the first dose, the user often seeks to regain the same feelings of euphoria that he felt at the beginning, which may lead to taking larger amounts of the drug. This affects the duration of ecstasy in the body and increases the risks of abuse

**What is the effect of ecstasy (hallucination)?**

 

The effects of ecstasy, also known as "play", last for 3 to 6 hours. Parties in which this substance is used are organized by famous bands or DJs, and invitations are specific and not open to everyone.

**Methods of taking ecstasy**

There are many ways to take ecstasy pills, which increases the risks associated with them. These methods differ in how they are taken, which increases the likelihood of harm to the body.

It can be said that the method of taking plays a major role in increasing the risk of ecstasy to health. The following are the most prominent methods of taking ecstasy pills:

1. **Swallowing pills**: The pill is swallowed as medications are taken, which may increase its risk to some organs, especially the digestive system.

2. **Crushing and inhaling tablets**: Some addicts prefer this method to increase the direct effect on the body and brain, as the tablets are crushed and then the resulting white powder is inhaled.

3. **Injection**: This method is considered one of the most dangerous methods of taking ecstasy, as it allows the active substance to reach the bloodstream directly, which increases the speed of its effect.

**Effect of ecstasy pills:** As for the chemical effect of these substances, they are available in the form of tablets or capsules taken orally, either by emulsification or grinding and then inhaling.

Ecstasy works to secrete three chemicals:

- **Dopamine:** Responsible for activity and vitality, and is found in the reward center in the brain.

- **Norepinephrine:** Which increases the heart rate and blood pressure, which poses a great risk to people with heart and artery problems.

- **Serotonin:** Which affects mood, sleep, appetite and sexual desire.

Large secretions of these substances cause a feeling of joy, emotional closeness, and sympathy.

Ecstasy harms:
- Depression and suicidal thoughts.

- Poor memory and concentration.

- High body temperature.

- Increased heart rate.

- Liver and kidney problems.

- Risk of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, especially when sharing needles with infected people or practicingUnsafe sex.

**Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms timeline:**

Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms appear gradually, starting sharply and then becoming less severe over time:

1. **Days (1-3):**   Withdrawal symptoms begin about 12 hours after taking the last dose. These symptoms include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, paranoia, depression, loss of appetite, and feeling physically and mentally tired.

2. **Days (4-10):**   The above symptoms last for about a week, and begin to fade toward the end. However, depression and cravings may persist, as well as problems with sleep, memory, and concentration.

3. **Days (11 and beyond):**   Depression may become more severe as changes in brain chemistry continue. Problems with insomnia, memory, and concentration may persist, but eventually these symptoms will go away. The brain needs some time to restore normal levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, so some withdrawal symptoms may persist for several weeks or even months after stopping use. The longer a person uses the drug, the higher the dose, leading to longer and more complex withdrawal symptoms.

What are the signs of ecstasy addiction?

 

Research suggests that ecstasy addiction can lead to a range of symptoms in individuals. These symptoms can be summarized as follows:

1. **Activity and energy**: Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic substance that enhances the release of dopamine, leading to a constant feeling of activity and movement.

2. **Nausea**: Ecstasy can cause stomach and digestive disorders, leading to nausea and vomiting.

3. **Jaw stiffness**: Like many stimulants, ecstasy causes stiffness in the jaw and teeth, which can lead to weak and broken teeth.

4. **Blurred vision**: Due to auditory and visual hallucinations caused by ecstasy, a person may experience blurred vision and double vision.

5. **Increased sweating**: Ecstasy raises the body temperature, which leads to increased sweating.

6. **Insomnia**: Ecstasy stimulates the nerve centers responsible for sleep in the brain, which may cause insomnia that lasts for several days.

7. **Agitation and violence**: Ecstasy users may experience bouts of agitation and violence for the slightest reasons, as a result of stimulating the aggressive centers in the brain

Deterioration in heart rate

High blood pressure

Short-term memory loss

Loss of appetite

Insomnia

Increased sensitivity to pain

Dilated pupils with sideways movement

Poor regulation of body temperature

Teeth grinding

Erectile dysfunction in men

May lead to muscle spasms.

Since ecstasy addiction causes fluid loss, it is important for the body to consume fluids at a rate commensurate with the loss. However, excessive water consumption can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, which can be fatal.

**Symptoms of ecstasy addiction on the brain**

Ecstasy greatly affects the brain, as this drug causes multiple hormonal disorders, as recent scientific studies have shown. The most prominent of these effects are:

- Increased activity of the hormone dopamine beyond the normal rate, which leads to the ecstasy or hallucinogenic pill addict suffering from hyperactivity that may be difficult to control at times.

- Increased levels of the hormone norepinephrine, which particularly affects blood pressure, which may increase the risk of heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest, in addition to major cardiovascular problems.

- Increased secretion of the hormone serotonin, which poses a direct danger to the brain. Excessive secretion of this hormone, as these pills do, ultimately affects the mood, increases appetite for food, and may also lead to increased sexual arousal and other unusual behaviors.

**Ecstasy drug damage to the body**

Ecstasy addiction is considered one of the harmful factors that negatively affect the body, brain, and psychological state, in addition to all health aspects. This is due to the dangerous active substance known as MDMA or deoxymethamphetamine. This substance appears clearly in the ecstasy drug, and has a harmful chemical effect on the body. Its negative effects begin to appear about half an hour after taking the dose, and these effects continue for a long time, which necessitates the need for an ecstasy addiction treatment program.

Here are some of the risks associated with ecstasy addiction on the addict's body:

 

- Loss of appetite.

- Excessive sweating in different areas of the body.

- Feeling nauseous and vomiting.

- Rising body temperature to fever levels.

- Accelerated heartbeat.

- Dry throat and mouth.

- Changes in perception, such as visual and auditory hallucinations.

- Muscle pain.

- Decreased urine output.

- Exposure to panic attacks and severe fear.

- Increased sensitivity of some senses such as touch, hearing and vision.

A long-term addict of ecstasy suffers from multiple health problems.

**Psychological risks of ecstasy pills**

Ecstasy pills are considered one of the substances that carry serious psychological risks to addicts, as they contribute to the exacerbation of some psychological and mental illnesses. Scientific studies indicate that the risks of ecstasy include:

- **Depression**: Depression is a direct result of addiction to hallucinogenic pills, including ecstasy. The active ingredient in these pills leads to changes in brain chemistry and hormonal disorders, which increases the likelihood of depression.

- **Aggression and nervousness**: Ecstasy addicts suffer from feelings of aggression and nervousness, which leads to unbalanced behavior that causes them many problems. This nervousness may lead to severe psychological disorders.

- **Anxiety attacks**: Ecstasy addicts experience anxiety, fear and panic attacks as a result of addiction, which negatively affects their daily lives.

- **Memory problems**: Addicts suffer from memory difficulties and poor concentration, as a result of the effect of the active substance on the memory areas of the brain. These problems are considered common symptoms of addiction to hallucinogenic pills, and appear noticeably in most addicts.

**The effect of ecstasy on the behavior of addicts**

 

The behavioral aspect is greatly affected by ecstasy addiction, which leads to noticeable changes in the addict's behavior, and this necessitates the need for behavioral therapy. As we will learn later. Before that, it is important to understand the behaviors that the addict suffers from, as well as the damage that ecstasy addiction causes to his behavior. The addict faces several problems, including:

- **Indifference and neglect in personal appearance**: The addict suffers from neglecting his clothes and daily life, in addition to lack of care for personal hygiene and lack of responsibility in general.

- **Aggression**: The ecstasy addict feels aggressive tendencies towards others, and may act very aggressively to obtain drugs.

- **Mood swings**: The addict suffers from severe mood swings, as he moves between joy and sadness after taking addictive doses of hallucinogenic pills, which may sometimes lead to psychological harm.

- **Auditory and visual hallucinations**: The addict is exposed to auditory and visual hallucinations as a result of the effect of the active substance on the brain and its sensory centers.

Mindlessness**: Mindlessness is a direct result of using hallucinogenic pills and ecstasy addiction. Scientific studies have shown that this absence greatly affects the addict's behavior, which may lead to him getting into serious legal problems.

Low libido**: Among the most prominent negative effects on the mental and behavioral health of ecstasy users is low libido, which applies to both men and women.

Poor concentration**: Hallucinogenic drug addicts suffer from poor concentration as a result of their effect on the cognitive centers in the brain. Therefore, it is strongly advised not to perform any tasks that require high concentration, such as driving or operating machinery, while under the influence of these pills.

**Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms**

Ecstasy pills, like any other type of drug, are a source of withdrawal symptoms, especially when starting treatment or when stopping the addictive dose. Ecstasy addiction can be treated through alternative methods or through drug therapy, which leads to the appearance of some withdrawal symptoms that need treatment.

The addict suffers from these symptoms, as doctors identify them and provide appropriate treatment for them.

Withdrawal symptoms suffered by an addict of ecstasy pills include the following:

- The appearance of various depressive symptoms.

- Exposure to bouts of confusion and disorder, accompanied by body tremors.

- Feeling tired, fatigued and constantly physically exhausted.

- Suffering from repeated anxiety attacks that affect daily life and sleep.

- Mood swings, as the addict moves between feelings of joy and sadness.

- Decreased sleep quality, with insomnia and sleep disorders.

- A strong desire to use again, as a result of reducing the dose he was taking previously, and this desire is intense.

How does ecstasy addiction affect the body?

 

People addicted to ecstasy experience a sudden increase in adrenaline secretion after taking the substance, which causes them to feel hyperactive for a certain period before they start to relax. They also become more sensitive to the sounds, smells, and colors around them. After this increase in sensitivity, they may feel heart palpitations followed by severe nausea. In addition, some may experience excessive sweating and dry mouth and throat. These effects last for a period ranging from 15 to 20 minutes or may extend to 6 or 7 hours, depending on the amount of substance used.

The body reacts negatively to overdoses of ecstasy, and these reactions can be summarized in the following points:

- Loss of consciousness

- High blood pressure

- Fainting

- Seizures

- Panic attacks

- Anxiety

Therefore, it is necessary to provide treatment for people addicted to ecstasy, and those around them must provide the necessary support in this context.

**How ​​to Treat Ecstasy Addiction**

 

These damages indicate the need for immediate treatment to save the addict from a dangerous fate that he may face if he does not receive treatment. Below, we review the methodology for treating ecstasy addiction:

1. **Detoxification**: This is considered the first step in treatment, as completely safe medications are used to remove toxins from the body. This stage aims to get rid of the effects of ecstasy that remain in the body, and usually takes a maximum of five days, without the addict feeling any pain.

2. **Comprehensive assessment**: Doctors conduct a comprehensive assessment of the addict's condition, which depends on several factors, including physical and psychological health.

3. **Withdrawal symptoms treatment**: The addict suffers from a set of withdrawal symptoms as a result of reducing or stopping the dose. These symptoms usually last from two to three weeks, and the hospital provides the necessary treatment during this period until the symptoms disappear.

4. **Psychotherapy and social support**: After completing the detoxification stage and treating withdrawal symptoms, psychological support and behavioral therapy are provided to help the addict recover and return to his normal life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most prominent treatment programs that aims to treat addictive behaviors that may continue even after medical treatment. The hospital relies on replacing addictive behaviors with positive behaviors that are compatible with the addict's life after recovery. This treatment phase continues for several months after leaving the hospital, with continuous follow-up of the recovering addict's condition.