Am I Addicted to MDMA/Ecstasy?
MDMA is popular for the warm and fuzzy high users get, but like all highs, it wears off and that’s when people can crash and burn. MDMA is also known as ecstasy when taken in tablet form, or molly when it is ingested as a powder. It’s a popular drug for experimentation—according to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 17 million Americans said they had tried it at least once. Users generally take it because it creates a rush of energy as well as a heightening of the senses.
When it comes to MDMA/ecstasy addiction facts, it’s true this drug doesn’t have the addictive powers of cocaine or heroin, for instance, but that doesn’t mean it can be taken freely and without consequence. There are indications that MDMA can have the potential for addiction because it alters serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.
If you are asking yourself, “Am I addicted to MDMA or ecstasy?” it may be that you are experiencing classic signs of addiction, such as an increased tolerance to the drug, which means you need to take more and more of it to get the high you want. You may also be experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you do try to quit using it. If that is the case, then it is important to know the signs of addiction to MDMA and ecstasy so you know when to seek out professional help.
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MDMA/Ecstasy Addiction Symptoms
Once MDMA or ecstasy is ingested, the high can come on quickly and intensely. But other, more unpleasant, symptoms can accompany the euphoria, especially if you are addicted. Here are some common signs of MDMA and ecstasy use:
- Lack of inhibition
- Intense feelings
- Giddiness or euphoria
- Warm feelings towards other people
- Propensity for fainting
- Heightened sensations
- Panic attacks
- Increased blood pressure or body temperature
- Confusion in discerning motions and distance between objects
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
While overdoses aren’t common on MDMA or ecstasy, if the drugs are taken during physical activity—such as dancing at a rave—that can cause dehydration and increased body temperature, which could cause health problems.
With more long-term use of MDMA or ecstasy, other symptoms may appear that can also indicate you are misusing this drug. Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
- Confusion
- Decreased appetite
- Headaches
- Restlessness in the legs
- Profuse sweating
- Pain in the muscles and joints—especially the jaw from clenching it too much
- Nausea
- Inability to sleep
- Depression
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Impaired cognitive function
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, it is worth asking yourself if you are addicted to MDMA or ecstasy. To get an answer to this question, spend a few minutes on our MDMA/ecstasy addiction self-assessment. This free and confidential assessment can give you the opportunity to think seriously about your MDMA/ecstasy use and whether it’s time to seek professional help. If you need to reach out and pursue treatment, call Sheer Recovery today to get professional, highly qualified assistance in pursuing recovery.