Ecstasy Facts
Ecstasy has become a popular drug, in large part due to the quick and often long-lasting high it produces. Users report feeling emotional warmth, a general sense of well being, decreased anxiety, and increased sensory perception. Ecstasy is often referred to as a "club drug" because users tend to be part of the nightclub scene, where the drug gives them the stamina to dance for long periods of time.
Ecstasy is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it interferes with the body's ability to metabolize the drug. Consequently, additional doses of Ecstasy quickly increase drug levels in the bloodstream, putting the user at high risk for overdose.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), even when used at low levels, ecstasy can cause nausea, chills, sweating, muscle cramping, and blurred vision. Anxiety, agitation, and recklessness can also occur as a result of Ecstasy use.
A NIDA-sponsored survey of young adult and adolescent Ecstasy users revealed the following:
- Forty-three percent of those who reported Ecstasy use met the criteria for dependence, and 34 percent met the criteria for drug abuse.
- Almost 60 percent of people who use ecstasy report withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.
- Because of these and other similar statistics, Ecstasy is considered a highly addictive drug.
For more information about Ecstasy, or to find the right drug addiction treatment program for you or someone you love, call 888.287.6175.
