Ecstasy use can cause serious risks to an individual’s physical and mental health. Even while knowing the risks involved with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use, ecstasy exposure and peer pressure can be difficult to cope with. Many individuals, especially young people, find it challenging to maintain sobriety from drugs. After all, MDMA is commonly passed around at concerts, house parties, festivals, and college campus events. Fortunately, moving forward with residential care at Avalon Malibu can help people overcome MDMA use and gain a better quality of life.
What Is MDMA?
According to the Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), MDMA is commonly known as molly or ecstasy. The substance can be recognized as a colorful tablet with a logo. MDMA is also distributed in powder, capsule, or liquid form. MDMA is also referred to as a “party drug,” used to maintain a celebratory mood during social gatherings. The drug is also commonly abused alongside other drugs, such as marijuana or alcohol.
According to the DEA, studies suggest that MDMA may increase the risk of long-term problems with learning and memory. The drug acts as a psychedelic and stimulant that produces strange distortions, a sense of euphoria, feelings of closeness, enhanced sexuality, and energizing effects. Common street names include the following:
- Adam
- Beans
- Disco biscuit
- Clarity
- E
- Eve
- Lover’s speed
- Peace
- X
- XT
- Hug drug
- Go
MDMA Effects on One’s Brain and Life
The use of MDMA increases serotonin levels in an individual’s brain. The drug can also enhance individual dopamine neurotransmission. Because of this, continued use impairs the brain’s natural reward system, causing everyday rewards to register less strongly. Any drug that produces a strong sense of euphoria puts one at an increased risk of developing dependency or addiction.
Risks of MDMA Use
Those who abuse MDMA may experience similar effects as those who use stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine. MDMA can cause both short and long-term side effects. The length of use can determine the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms commonly include depression, loss of appetite, fatigue, or trouble concentrating. It is common for those who use MDMA often to become dehydrated in hot environments due to the drug’s effects. Ecstasy can also increase the risk of cell and organ damage if it is consumed at the same time as alcohol.
Short-term side effects from MDMA use include the following:
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Depression and anxiety
- Sinus tachycardia
- Elevated blood pressure
- Teeth clenching
- Blurred vision
- Enhanced sensory perception
- Lowered inhibition
- Confusion
- Chills and sweating
- Heart failure and death
Long-term MDMA side effects include the following:
- Lasting confusion
- Major depression
- Attention problems
- Impulsiveness
- Decreased sex drive
- Aggression
- Decreased appetite
The Value of Residential Care for MDMA Use
Oftentimes, residential treatment is best suited to those facing challenges with a dual diagnosis such as substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health conditions. A dual diagnosis can be especially challenging to treat successfully. Such individuals who have recently completed a detox program, do not have a stable living environment to return to, cannot commit to an outpatient treatment program, or are seeking full-time care may benefit from a residential treatment program.
A residential treatment program can provide a safe, highly structured setting to aid in relapse prevention. For those who require resocialization, residential treatment can provide peer support and a substance-free environment to promote stabilization. Benefits that can come from residential care include the following:
- Individualized care
- Twenty-four-hour monitoring and support
- Opportunity for family involvement
- Decreased psychological symptoms
- Reduced likelihood of legal problems
- Access to continuing care
What to Expect From Residential Care at Avalon Malibu to Overcome MDMA Use
Often, people don’t know what to expect from residential care. This lack of knowledge can make people feel hesitant to seek treatment. It is also common for people to fear leaving family and friends behind for an extended period. Clients at Avalon Malibu take comfort in knowing that their luxurious, safe, and structured environment facilitates a fresh start in recovery.
Avalon Malibu’s residential program provides specialized expert care for those facing problems with addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. This nurturing environment fosters a healing journey by providing a serene backdrop that includes the ocean, which reduces stress related to one’s condition. Avalon Malibu’s compassionate team of professionals provides evidence-based therapies and an individualized treatment plan for each client. A typical residential facility requires patients to stay for 30, 60, or 90 days. However, Avalon Malibu understands that each person’s experience with chemical or emotional dependency is unique. Therefore, everyone heals at their own pace.
The Importance of Maintaining Abstinence From MDMA
Continued MDMA use can significantly impair one’s work performance, academic progress, and relationships with loved ones. Those who choose to use MDMA may miss out on future professional or social opportunities. What’s more, individuals who use substances may begin to spend less time on self-care and hobbies. This often results in a decreased sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and confidence.
Even when a person vows to remain sober, life can present many temptations. When someone spends time in environments that expose them to MDMA, this can trigger substance cravings. Discontinuing MDMA is a process. However, participating in sober activities with others committed to sobriety can help. It is important for people to remain abstinent from MDMA usage and sustain lasting sobriety so that they can achieve their life goals.
Avalon Malibu’s clinical and medical teams work together to ensure that each client is progressing through treatment at a pace that is comfortable and effective. Residential treatment for individuals with a primary or dual diagnosis of a mental health disorder is one of the offerings that sets Avalon Malibu apart from other recovery centers. Our two luxury private beachfront facilities ensure that we maintain a 2:1 staff-to-client ratio with one-on-one attention and a high level of personalized care. We are ready to help you, your loved one, or your client receive care that makes a lasting difference. Call Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992 to gain more information about our residential program to decide whether it is right for you.
