Ecstasy, Addiction and Counselling Treatment: Some Basic Facts

Ecstasy is an illicit street drug often associated with dance club and rave scenes. Although Ecstasy use is common among younger adults of both genders, it has been known to be consumed by older users as well. Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic drug which creates euphoric feelings that enhance interactions with others, as well as feelings of sexual excitement and sensuality. As with alcohol consumption, users may become dependent on the effects of Ecstasy to enhance their social outings or to have sexually satisfying experiences. Ecstasy users develop tolerance for the drug and may become dependent on the consumption of multiple pills in a single use session in order to experience an ordinary level of the drug’s effects.

Ecstasy is known under several street names, including: E; X; 2CE; 4 Dot; Love Trip; Blue Kisses; Eckie, to name a few.

Although Ecstasy is unusual in that it does not have the physically addictive effects of other illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine, it does have long-term psychological and emotional effects, including mood disorders, problems with concentration and memory loss.

Working with a professional counsellor, psychologist or therapist can help you understand the underlying reasons for continued use of Ecstasy. A counsellor may be able to help you develop healthier, alternative ways of dealing with social interactions, sexual relationships and that general search for happiness or adventure which young Ecstasy users may find alluring.

MDMA is the primary drug that is found in Ecstasy. The expected dosage per pill is less than 100 mg, with a 75 mg dose being the average amount needed to provoke the desired euphoric and hallucinogenic effects of the drug

Although MDMA is the primary and key ingredient in Ecstasy pills, other drugs are commonly included. The most common are amphetamines (speed). Speed is usually inexpensive to make and can readily be included in an Ecstasy pill in order to enhance the impact of MDMA. Ephedrine and caffeine are also commonly added as ingredients that are similar to amphetamines, adding an adrenaline rush to the euphoric or hallucinogenic aspects of MDMA.

Other ingredients that are occasionally added to Ecstasy pills include: heroin; cocaine; Lysergic Acid (LSD); dextromethorphan (DMX); and paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA). DMX is common in cough medicines and PMA is a highly toxic hallucinogenic agent.

Common filler ingredients in Ecstasy pills include dyes, talcum powder and starch.

Ecstasy is not physiologically addictive like alcohol, cocaine or other drugs, because unlike those others, Ecstasy does not change the body chemistry to create an adaptation that makes the drug a requirement for physical survival. However, Ecstasy does have an emotionally addictive quality that can be equally troublesome in many ways.

Primarily, individuals find themselves reliant on the drug because it allows users to feel uninhibited, outgoing and more friendly. Added to this, they may find that the hallucinogenic experience is very magical and expansive and be drawn to experiencing this aspect over and over again.

Because Ecstasy use creates an emotional addiction rather than a physical addiction, working with a professional counsellor, psychiatrist or therapist can help you understand the underlying reasons for continued use of Ecstasy.

A counsellor can help you develop and practice healthier social interactions, which do not require synthetic enhancement, but instead which come from your own sense of self worth and self esteem. Counsellors can also help you examine family and personal histories that may contribute to an emotional need to use Ecstasy or similar club drugs.