Author: James Anderson

MDMA Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment

As a trusted Georgia recovery center, we are dedicated to serving our clients through various alcohol and drug addiction programs. We have a firm belief that it is possible for YOU to achieve and sustain long-term recovery. Each person has different needs in a detox center and should consider locations, cost, available programs and long-term support services in their decision.

This is partly because the pleasurable effects of MDMA decrease, and negative effects increase with frequent use. Our caring and compassionate specialists are eager to help you comfortably navigate this journey to recovery. Our individualized treatment plan, programs, and therapies may be a perfect match for you or your loved one. Our experienced and licensed Northridge Addiction Treatment Center staff is prepared to help you overcome addiction and start on a path to lifelong recovery. MDMA is an abbreviation for the chemical compound 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; ecstasy refers to the pill or tablet form, and molly is slang for the pure powder form. Unfortunately, the word “pure” is misleading because dealers frequently add other drugs to their batches to make them cheaper and more potent, leading to unforeseen side effects and dangers.

Because it takes five half-lives to completely remove MDMA from the system, most people need about hours or around two days. Ecstasy tablets have been found to contain ketamine, MDA (a designer drug similar to Ecstasy), cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cathinones (“bath salts“). The single biggest complicating factor of Ecstasy withdrawal is that it is usually not pure MDMA but a mixture of multiple drugs. Law enforcement has found that when someone buys Ecstasy, they are only getting a tablet or capsule with MDMA about 60% of the time.

A drug treatment center provides a safe, controlled environment in which ecstasy users can work toward recovery. These programs create individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s specific needs. Outpatient treatment is also an option for those who do not have the time or resources to attend inpatient rehab.

What Is MDMA Withdrawal?

Like the symptoms of ecstasy withdrawal, the duration of the process is different for everyone. Severe psychological symptoms, like depression and cravings, may persist for several weeks to several months. When quitting the hallucinogenic stimulant, users experience intense psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and drug cravings. While there’s no immediate cure for MDMA withdrawal symptoms, the focus of treatment is providing support and care during this challenging period. If you’re experiencing severe anxiety or depression, consulting a mental health professional is advisable.

Ecstasy, also known as Molly, MDMA, E, X and Adam, can cause unpredictable withdrawal symptoms because it is often mixed with other addictive drugs. People who become addicted to Ecstasy will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using the drug. A user who has multiple addictions may also have a more intense and complicated withdrawal, and a user who has co-occurring mental health disorders may also experience additional challenges.

Mental Health Complications

Regular use disrupts normal brain function, leading to potential long-term brain issues. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests that ecstasy might also have physically addictive properties. This site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

1. The doctor may prescribe medications, such as antidepressants, to help with some of the psychological symptoms of withdrawal.
2. More frequent usage will prolong withdrawal symptoms, sometimes from just a few days to up to a week.
3. Ecstasy abuse leads to a sudden decline in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, shocking the system.
4. However, some research indicates that addiction to ecstasy might be less likely compared to other substances known for compulsive use.
5. While these symptoms mirror those of ecstasy withdrawal, the primary difference lies in their onset.
6. This is partly because the pleasurable effects of MDMA decrease, and negative effects increase with frequent use.

This dangerous condition, highlighted in the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, can be life-threatening, especially since SSRIs are widely prescribed for depression. Also, If any other drugs were present in the Ecstasy pills, these could be identified with drug testing techniques. We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to promoted online therapy websites. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), roughly 2.6 million people report using MDMA every year, and 17 million admit to MDMA abuse at least once throughout their lives.

While withdrawal from MDMA is generally not life-threatening, it can affect many organ systems and cause potential harm. Entering medical detox will ensure that a team of clinicians can monitor for and prevent permanent damage to the kidneys, heart and liver. Drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine may be mixed into Ecstasy and have a higher potential for addiction and harm than MDMA alone. Mixtures of multiple stimulants will cause more damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs than the stimulants by themselves. Someone addicted to multiple drugs will also experience longer and more severe withdrawal symptoms, depending on the combination.

Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms

Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Located in the serene suburbs of Atlanta, Hope Harbor Wellness is your ally in the fight against MDMA addiction in Atlanta, GA. Our MDMA drug rehab centers, dedicated to holistic recovery, are ideally situated to offer you the support you need.

The extent and duration of ecstasy withdrawal vary based on factors like the user’s tolerance, frequency and length of drug use, metabolism, overall health, age, gender, and genetic factors. Users with multiple addictions or co-occurring mental health disorders might face more complex and intense withdrawal challenges. As a primarily psychoactive drug, MDMA substance abuse has fewer physical symptoms and more psychological symptoms. Experts believe ecstasy addiction mainly stems from users continuously chasing the euphoric highs and mental stimulation it causes, which eventually leads to some physical dependence as tolerance builds. Managing the symptoms of withdrawal from ecstasy—especially the feelings of depression, which are often severe—can be difficult for a person to do on their own. It is recommended that users complete the withdrawal process in a medical detox facility or an inpatient rehab.

MDMA withdrawal symptoms are primarily psychological but also include some physical symptoms. The intensity of ecstasy withdrawal symptoms will differ for each person and can become more complicated if they are simultaneously experiencing withdrawal from other substances. Given that ecstasy is often cut with other drugs, the withdrawal symptoms are unpredictable.

There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Inpatient treatment centers provide 24-hour medical care and attention during detox, which is vital to address any complications or extreme mental distress that can occur during withdrawal. People who want to quit using MDMA can benefit from inpatient rehab and treatment facilities that monitor and treat all withdrawal symptoms while ensuring their safety. MDMA floods the brain with serotonin to produce euphoria, heightened sensitivity to physical stimuli, increased self-awareness, sociability, and in some cases, greater empathy toward other people.

People with an addiction to MDMA should consider detoxing with the help of trained staff at an addiction and rehab facility like The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health Drug and Alcohol Rehab. Dosage plays a small role in the severity of withdrawal symptoms because, generally, if someone is addicted to MDMA, they are not taking small doses. Ecstasy works by enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain linked to happiness and love, leading to the drug’s euphoric and positive emotional effects. The half-life of MDMA is about 6-10 hours, meaning half of a dose is broken down by the body in that amount of time.