Ecstasy Treatment and Rehab

Ecstasy Info

• Ecstasy Addiction and Abuse
• Ecstasy Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Ecstasy Treatment and Rehab
• Ecstasy Withdrawal and Detox

Ecstasy (MDMA) is classified as a Class-A drug in the UK, as it is addictive and very dangerous. Unfortunately, people can still buy it on the street for recreational purposes.

Are you worried you might be addicted? Perhaps someone you know might be an addict? In this paper, you’ll learn to recognise ecstasy dependency symptoms and the necessary steps to take towards recovery.

Our help-lines are always open for anyone who wants to speak with an addiction specialist.

Ecstasy Addiction: Treatment and Rehabilitation

What is ecstasy? It has many street names; brownies, doves, X, dolphins, E, fantasy, love doves, sweeties, M and Ms, tulips, XTC, Molly, Mandy and so on.

Ecstasy varies considerably in appearance, and comes in a wide variety of coloured capsules and pills, often branded with specific logos. Subsequently, some ecstasy pills have nicknames such as Teddy Bears, Mitsubishis and Superman – each relating to the design on the pills.

Pure ecstasy exists in the form of a white powder. Its scientific name is Methylenedioxymethamphetamine – or MDMA for short. Although the police have seized an increasing amount of the powder in recent times, it’s not as common as the capsule or tablet form. Meanwhile, ecstasy is only occasionally sold in its crystalline form.

People who use ecstasy quickly build up a tolerance and dependence on the drug. It impacts the brain’s reward pathway and before long, users become abusers and get addicted. Once addicted, a person will exhibit adverse symptoms in the absence of the drug.

Treatment starts when admitting dependence and seeking professional help. We have networks of accredited rehab centres all over the UK. At our centres, you can detox completely and receive rehab therapy, as well as aftercare treatment. All treatment programmes are evidence-based and guarantee full recovery.

Treatment for Ecstasy Abuse

Withdrawal from ecstasy automatically triggers unpleasant symptoms. This is the brain reacting to the absence of the drug, since it has altered its structure and chemistry.

Treatment is necessary to help maintain abstinence, avoid drug substitution and improve your mental health status. Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression are common, which is why seeing a substance abuse psychiatrist is important.

The psychiatrist can help to identify triggers and build healthier coping mechanisms. Treatment aims to:

• Modify the environment to improve chances of a successful recovery
• Develop a relapse prevention plan to avert future ecstasy use

Treatment can occur at an inpatient facility or outpatient clinic. Inpatient treatment is our recommended option, particularly for people with severe addictions and co-occurring dependency disorders or mental health problems.

Inpatient treatment is also preferred, because it provides medically supervised detoxification, during which your symptoms are managed for maximum convenience throughout withdrawal.

Outpatient treatment includes several features of inpatient treatment. However, you can live at home while you get through recovery. While this option is usually cheaper, it does expose you to the day-to-day temptation of drug use.

It’s believed that many people seek drugs as a means of self-medication at first, but over time, this escalates into a full-blown addiction that either aggravates into existing mental health conditions or is concealed temporarily. Therapy helps to make sure these needs are addressed more effectively.

How Ecstasy Rehab Works

Although ecstasy is perceived by many to be a non-addictive drug, its abuse often leads to many problems. Fortunately, ecstasy addiction can be treated.

Seeking rehab for ecstasy is usually a difficult decision to make. Some people wait until they are highly dependent on the drug before checking into a rehab facility. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, it’s never too early (or late) to seek help. You can identify a reliable addiction rehab centre close to you and begin treatment.

The first stage of rehab is assessment and screening. When you check in, a licensed physician will ask questions about your history of ecstasy usage. This will help them form a pattern and determine your level of dependency. Physical and chemical tests may also be carried out to check the present concentration of the drug in your system, prior to detox.

Detoxification is the purging of the toxic substance from your body and is the first stage of treatment. During this stage, you will abstain from ecstasy and withdrawal symptoms will emerge. The process can be unpleasant, but with the right qualified physicians and proper medication, detox can be bearable.

Rehabilitation therapy follows detox. Many substance abuse cases stem from psychological problems and stress. Therefore, addiction treatment must comprise of mental (as well as physical) therapy. Psychotherapy and behavioural therapies are the cornerstone of the rehabilitation programme. It will help identify and correct the underlying issues that trigger ecstasy abuse.

Aftercare and support services complete rehab for patients. Addiction treatment is an ongoing process and you’ll be provided with a strong support network to maintain your sobriety. From group therapy sessions to addiction help sponsors and community outreach programmes, aftercare service aims to guide you along your recovery journey.

At Addiction Helper, our rehab patients not only receive comprehensive treatment, but also get reliable aftercare to ensure full recovery.

Why Treatment is Necessary

Being addicted is like being trapped, in that it restricts freedom to do the things you love. Addiction also destroys relationships, costs people their jobs, depletes finances and even threatens mental health and wellbeing. It is no way for anybody to live.

Many people who continue their ecstasy dependence habit usually end up chronically ill – both physically and mentally. Issues such as paranoia, depression and psychosis may set in. Because addiction is an isolation ailment, many sufferers are usually alone and depressed.

Treatment is the best way to overcome this affliction and take charge of your life. Wouldn’t it be good to rebuild family bonds and reconnect with friends – or start again with a clean bill of health and achieve the things you’ve always wanted to?

Rehabilitation therapy makes this possible. If you are ecstasy dependent, it’s not the end of the world. You can regain control of your life and start a better future for yourself, alongside your loved ones.

Ecstasy Detox Symptoms, Timeline, Medications and Treatment

The levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin drop as ecstasy leaves the bloodstream. You’ll begin to feel the effects of withdrawal during this period.

During detoxification, the doctors will ‘starve’ your system of the drug to ensure it is completely extricated. Because your brain is already used to ecstasy, it will react severely by exhibiting withdrawal symptoms.

Ecstasy is in essence a psychologically dependent drug, meaning the withdrawal symptoms are mainly psychological. Signs include:

Chronic use of ecstasy upsets the normal production and secretion of serotonin in the brain, which poses the risk of life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

The International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health warns that when serotonin is combined with an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), a popular form of antidepressant, it increases the risk of severe serotonin syndrome.

If you’re addicted to ecstasy, it will be difficult to regulate your emotions or feel any kind of pleasure without the substance. It’s not uncommon for abusers to entertain thoughts of self-harm. It is therefore critical to contact an addiction counsellor at this point.

Withdrawal timeline

Withdrawal symptoms usually kick in 12 to 14 hours that follow the last dose of ecstasy and peaks after a few days. The timeline varies for different people depending on their level of dependency to the drug.

It takes time for the brain to stabilise itself and for the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin to return to normal. This means some withdrawal symptoms may continue for up to weeks or even months after discontinuing usage. The longer you have used ecstasy – and the higher the dosage – the more intense and longer in duration the withdrawal symptoms will last.

Ecstasy is commonly used together with other drugs, which tend to extend and complicate withdrawal. If you have a co-occurring medical and mental health disorder, it will influence the withdrawal timeline and the severity of any likely side-effects.

Medical detox for ecstasy withdrawal

Medical detox provides the safest and most reliable solution for withdrawal. It offers a stable environment, where ecstasy can be purged from the body whilst helping you attain psychological and physical stability, prior to rehabilitation therapy.

Although ecstasy withdrawal is not typically deemed to be life-threatening (unlike certain other drugs and alcohol), it doesn’t mean the side-effects are not unpleasant. Insomnia, anxiety and depression can be very difficult to deal with, but a medical detox programme is effective in managing ecstasy withdrawal symptoms.

At a medical detox programme, you will be admitted into a specialised treatment centre that provides medical and mental care supervision round-the-clock, 24 hours a day. The surroundings are peaceful and secure, while relapse and cravings are minimised via supportive and therapeutic care.

Unlike cocaine or other Class-A drugs, ecstasy doesn’t have any specific medications for withdrawal treatment. However, some pharmacological prescriptions may be effective in managing specific symptoms. For example, sleep medications can help solve insomnia, and good sleep and rest are necessary for complete recovery.

Other medical treatments include nutritional supplements to make up for loss of appetite, and sufficient fluids for dehydration.

Physical symptoms

Never attempt detox on your own, as it can present severe complications. Although ecstasy addiction is believed to be mainly psychologically driven, it triggers severe physical symptoms. Some of these include:

Psychological Symptoms

One common problem of addiction detox treatments is the psychological aspect of withdrawal. For ecstasy dependence, it is intense and requires professional care. Because of this, we always discourage self-detox or ‘cold turkey’ detox.

Psychosis is a severe psychological symptom of ecstasy withdrawal. The cause is not fully understood yet, but it’s known that MDMA induces psychosis through serotonergic or dopaminergic pathways. Individuals tend to suffer paranoia, anxiety and affective disorders.

Additional psychological symptoms of ecstasy withdrawal are:

When preparing for detox treatment, ensure you use a tried and trusted facility that can manage these symptoms whilst nursing you toward full recovery. Treatment doesn’t end with detoxification and only accredited centres have adequate programmes for behavioural therapy.

Long-Term Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms

The duration of withdrawal symptoms depend on the nature of your usage history. If you have been using large quantities of the drug for a prolonged period, you have likely built a high level of tolerance. People with high tolerance for any drug will experience longer-lasting withdrawal symptoms.

How long does it take to start experiencing withdrawal? This also depends on the level of dependence. People with high dependence levels start feeling withdrawal within a short time – usually six to twelve hours. Meanwhile, those who are less dependent may experience withdrawal after 12 hours.

In severe cases, ecstasy withdrawal symptoms may last for a few weeks or months. They include depression, lack of motivation, sleep disturbances and cravings.

It is almost impossible to achieve complete treatment without an addiction therapist. The need is even more critical in ecstasy detoxification treatment. An experienced therapist makes recovery quicker and the withdrawal discomfort more manageable.

Managing Withdrawal

The only thing that can help you manage ecstasy withdrawal is time. As mentioned previously, there is limited medication for ecstasy withdrawal. However, a combination of carefully-planned detox and self-help therapy can help you quit the habit.

• Detox and tapering : Heavy users of ecstasy often need medically assisted detox or tapering regimens to wean them off their drug use. However, patients’ co-dependence on multiple drugs often complicates ecstasy detox, because they intensify withdrawal effects and increase its duration. The work of the addiction physician is to guide you through this difficult period by reducing the drug combinations in a safe and gradual manner.

• Symptomatic management : Patients may experience musculoskeletal discomfort during the withdrawal stage, probably as a result of excessive activity such as frantic dancing whilst ‘high’. Doctors often use heating pads or OTC pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Eating disorders such as diarrhoea or constipation are not uncommon and can be managed with drugs like Imodium.

• Cravings control : Experiencing cravings is an inevitable part of withdrawal. You will be advised to stay strong during this time. The therapist will help you to learn cognitive behavioural interventions. Such practices teach you to shape your thinking and actions when you start craving the drug.

How to find the Best Ecstasy Addiction Rehab for You

Recovering from addiction to any drug depends on your resolve and commitment. However, a significant part of recovery success is attributed to the type of rehab centre you check in to. Failure to use an accredited facility with qualified experts and evidence-based techniques can lead to incomplete treatment or even possible relapse.

Taking the decision to stop using ecstasy is a commendable one, but make sure you plan the next steps carefully. Are you choosing rehab for you or a loved one? Don’t go into this decision without sufficient information to hand.

Addiction Helper provides useful resources for people seeking information on addiction treatment and recovery. From finding reliable rehab centres to identifying addition counsellors near you, our help-lines are always open for you.

Residential Rehab Treatment for Ecstasy and Drug Addiction

Residential rehab treatment or an inpatient care programme is a treatment service that provides living accommodation for recovering patients. It is ideal for people with high level ecstasy dependency, because they require intensive treatment and care. It also shuts you off from the outside temptations of drug use.

Residential rehab centres provide 24-hour care from trained medical personnel and often require you to check in for a certain period of time. They may be located close to a hospital, although some centres do have a clinic on site. Alternatively, isolated rehabs work with some hospitals to transfer patients after detox for the remainder of their treatment.

Following detox, you’ll be introduced to other recovering patients at the centre. Group therapy sessions will be organised in addition to one-on-one therapy with an addiction psychiatrist.

Therapy often includes cognitive behaviour treatment (CBT), but there may also be motivational interviewing, rational emotive behaviour therapy, contingency management and more. All techniques at our rehab centres are evidence-based and proven to aid the recovery process.

Outpatient programmes incorporate most features available in inpatient facilities, but patients mainly resume from their homes. This means there is still potential exposure to the drugs you will be treated for. For this reason, some experts advise against this option.

However, one notable benefit is that you get to maintain your regular schedule at work, keep contact with family and fulfil other important obligations. Our counsellors recommend this option for people with low dependence to the drug.

Conversely, inpatient care is the best solution for people highly dependent on ecstasy. Detox alone requires 24-hour care, so it is necessary to live in the facility for that period. Stress is a big factor in substance abuse; at our rehab facilities, patients are exposed to calm, relaxing surroundings. This puts your mind at ease and blocks out any potential triggers.

We always recommend the inpatient option, though you can make the decision based on your dependence level, schedule or convenience. While residential care treatment may cost more, it’s worth noting the cumulative benefits you stand to gain when you are eventually cured.

Additional benefits of inpatient care

There is power in collective recovery. Addiction thrives on isolation, so being with people who have experienced the same problems as you will have a positive effect on your immediate recovery. At an inpatient facility, group sharing sessions, exercises, crafts and games reduce thoughts of cravings and help eliminate depression.

We have both types of facilities in our directory, and our addiction counsellors can help you decide which is most suitable for your recovery.

Free Ecstasy Addiction Assessment

Are you addicted to ecstasy? How do you know if you need treatment?

Many people believe ecstasy is not an addictive drug, but this thought can be misleading, because it prevents them from checking the signs in time. Others simply label themselves as ‘recreational users’, although addiction usually begins with recreational usage.

If you use ecstasy, there are ways to determine if you are at risk of addiction. Addiction Helper works with various organisations and communities to provide free ecstasy addiction assessment. Experts will ask questions about your usage history and general drug use behaviour. Screening tests may also be carried out on certain bodily fluids.

Rest assured that this assessment is purely for treatment purposes. We also practice a non-judgemental policy, so feel free to talk with any of our representatives. Addiction Helper is always ready to provide a listening ear.

Are you abusing ecstasy?

If so, you’ll be familiar with some of these symptoms:

Tell-tale Signs of Ecstasy Addiction

Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms are identical to those of abuse, but the adverse effects can persist for months. Common signs include loss of appetite, fatigue, lack of concentration, anxiety and more.

If you think you might be addicted, an effective way to determine this is to ask yourself if you can go without the drug for a prolonged period (24 to 48 hours) and still be okay.

If the answer is ‘No’, then you have a problem. It’s that simple; if your ecstasy withdrawal triggers symptoms that force you to go out of your way to obtain more of the drug, then you should talk to an addiction specialist.

Discovering that you are dependent on any drug is not the end of the world. If anything, it indicates a willingness to admit your problem. This is the first step. The next is contacting a specialist who will guide you through the subsequent steps to take.

Types of Ecstasy addiction treatment offered at Addiction Helper

We have various services for treating substance abuse, depending on your level of addiction. However, we always make sure you receive the very best treatment. Some services are mandatory, while others are optional. We have tested every programme to determine their suitability for recovery. Our addiction counsellors only use evidence-based techniques for proven success.

Ecstasy Rehabilitation

Addiction Helper’s qualified experts provide a range of facilities to suit your recovery needs. We always inform potential patients of different treatment programmes and how to qualify for each one. Our accredited rehab centres feature only well-established addiction treatment facilities and have a reputation for delivering top-notch services.

Ecstasy Detoxification

Addiction Helper has various detox programmes for people who are dependent on ecstasy. During admission, we tell our patients how the detox programme works, including the likely challenges they will face and how the medical facility is equipped to help overcome their struggle. However, if you would rather detox from home, we offer an extremely convenient home detox service.

Day Care

We help promote excellent outpatient treatment programmes. They vary from a one day per week service to intensive daily programmes that offer detox and rehab therapy. Discover who these programmes are ideal for and when you’re eligible for this type of treatment. Addiction Helper provides the complete guide to all you need to know about outpatient services.

Counselling Care

Our counsellors are BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) approved. They play a significant part in the counselling sessions at Addiction Helper. We also have valuable experience with ecstasy treatment therapies. Are you interested in learning how to overcome your MDMA addiction? Our counsellors are only a phone call away.

Aftercare

Our aftercare treatment is a standard add-on service for our rehab programme. Every recovery patient experiences temptations now and then. A sound aftercare service such as ours ensures you continue to enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive treatment programme – even when you check out of rehab, from regular counselling to reliable support networks.

Extended Care

The original programme consists of a primary treatment service that lasts four to twelve weeks. However, if you wish to receive further care, we can extend this service to accommodate your needs and guarantee successful recovery. Our extended care service is less structured, but tailored around your day to day activities to help until you assimilate fully into society.

Sober Services

We provide a sober service that helps recovering members of society reach their potential when they leave rehab. This treatment is a one on one service, delivered by one of our BACP accredited professionals. If you’re struggling with sobriety, we have access to a wide network of sober people who can share some of their coping techniques with you.

Helping a Loved One Get Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction

loved one, but giving them money to fund their habit will not help to overcome the problem. It will only exacerbate it.

The ‘tough love’ approach may seem harsh at first, but they will soon understand that recovery is the best help anybody could have given them. As opposed to helping them pay their bills, stay off work or pay off drug-induced debts, check the addicted person into a rehab facility instead.

Start by ringing the Addiction Helper help-line. A trained representative will connect you to an addiction counsellor. If your loved one is in denial, you’ll need an intervention specialist to coordinate a family intervention.

Ecstasy is a Class-A drug, so the dependency level will most likely be high. If this is the case, the specialist will recommend inpatient care service.

After completing the programme, they will become a healthier version of their former self. However, newly recovered patients are still vulnerable. Provide support in any way you can. Sometimes, just being a listening ear is enough.

Our Ecstasy Rehabilitation Process

The admission process into our ecstasy rehab programme is a comprehensive one. Though straightforward, it can appear daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the process. The following steps will guide you on what to expect.

• Step 1: Assessment

Before recommending you to a suitable clinic, an Addiction Helper counsellor will conduct an assessment to determine your level of dependency and treatment needs. They will also come up with a plan tailored to ensure you get the best treatment.

• Step 2: Choosing an addiction rehab clinic

We have a wide network of addiction clinics around the UK. If you’d like one in the same city or town as you, we can arrange it. Our responsibility includes verifying the availability of your check-in date. If there is no vacancy for that period, we will let you know and alternative arrangements can be made.

• Step 3: Booking your place

When we confirm an available check-in date, a representative will manage the initial deposit so that a bed reservation can be made for you. This is important, because rehab admissions are booked every day and there is no guarantee that a place will be available on the actual admission date.

• Step 4: Transport

Addiction Helper also organises transportation for verified patients. If you are unable to commute to the clinic (for example, maybe you are too ill to come on your own), we can arrange for you to be picked up from your home. We provide the same arrangements for flights – or when you need a sober flying companion.

• Step 5: Checking-in and assessment

Upon arrival, a member of the clinic’s admissions team will attend to you. They will oversee your check-in and the completion of any outstanding payments. After this, you will be shown your room.

A doctor will assess your health and ecstasy usage history to gauge your dependency levels. They will enquire about any drugs you are currently taking. It is advisable to be as honest as possible, because this is critical to the detox treatment process. Detox and rehab therapy will follow in the coming days.

Ecstasy Detox – Ecstasy Medical Detox

The withdrawal symptoms for ecstasy are stressful. If you commence detox without the right medical care – or in the wrong environment – the chances of relapse will be high. Our addiction counsellors always encourage medical detox.

What is a medically-assisted Detox?

Medically-assisted detox is the use of medication to ease the discomfort associated with detoxification. While there is no specific medicine for ecstasy detox, some medicines can be used to treat certain symptoms associated with withdrawal.

For example, patients in detox are likely to experience diarrhoea and constipation, which can be treated with Imodium. Sleep deprivation is often treated with somnolent drugs to help the patient gain strength. However, some people may have combined certain other drugs with ecstasy, making medical detox that bit trickier. Therefore, professional care is better than going ‘cold turkey’.

Post-ecstasy detoxification therapy

After ecstasy detox, you will receive therapy. Comprehensive addiction treatment always consists of a psychological aspect. According to research, many substance abuse cases have underlying psychological causes, ranging from trauma to stress or pressure.

An addiction therapist will schedule one-on-one sessions to determine the origin of your ecstasy abuse. They will also use various techniques, such as cognitive therapy or behavioural therapy to help you gain control over your drug cravings.

Group therapy sessions, exercise routines and other co-curricular activities may also be included in the recovery programme. Extensive therapeutic care encourages patients to stay sober.

Is Ecstasy Detox the Answer?

In every rehab centre (both residential and outpatient), the first step of substance abuse treatment is detox. This serves to rid the body of the toxic remnants of the addictive substance. Without it, a patient can never truly complete treatment or even begin recovery.

Detox is key, even though it can be a very unpleasant experience. It is the fear of detox that prevents most drug users from commencing treatment. Unfortunately, pop culture promotes ‘cold turkey’ detox more than it does medical detox.

Without such professionals, detox will almost always be unsuccessful. So, while detox is the answer, it’s important that it’s carried out properly and effectively.

Advice for the Family

The family plays an important role in recovery. Support is a critical aspect of treatment, from intervention to rehab admission and post-rehab care.

If you suspect a family member of being dependent on ecstasy, don’t confront them with accusations and don’t enable them either. Instead, the person who is closest to the individual might bring up the subject privately and in a non-judgemental way. Let them see the negative effects of their bad habit and suggest professional treatment for them. If this doesn’t work, a family intervention might be necessary.

Addiction Helper can help organise interventions by connecting affected families with an addiction counsellor or specialist. Support continues long after the person leaves rehab.

If You Need Help with Ecstasy Addiction, Call us Now

Are you struggling to overcome your addiction to ecstasy? You can’t do it alone. Get in touch with a professional. Addiction Helper offers counselling services and information on various rehab centres that are suitable for you.

Talk to a close friend or family member today. The first step on the road to recovery is self-admission.

Need professional help? Call our help-line now.

What to do After Ecstasy treatment and rehab

Checking out of rehab doesn’t signify total recovery, nor does it make you invincible to ecstasy cravings. In fact, many former users admit that this is when they experienced cravings the most.

Stay strong and remember your behavioural training. Avoid being alone for long periods of time, and you might want to check the company you keep. If your social circle consists of users, consider making new friends.

Ecstasy is a party drug, so such gatherings are off limits unless you are sure there will be no drugs involved. Build a strong support network and have a sponsor on speed-dial for difficult times, because they will rear their ugly head.

According to Daniel, one of our addiction counsellors, sobriety is not a standard state, but a continuous effort to be achieved each and every day. This is the role of every sober person.

At first it will seem tough, but with the right support from family, friends, groups and your therapist, you will be fine.

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