What is MDMA?

MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has many street names that include Ecstasy, Love Drug, Cristal, Adam, Bean, and Molly.  MDMA is an amphetamine that functions as a neurotoxic stimulant on the central nervous system.  MDMA is also a psychoactive drug that is known to produce hallucinations.  Users claim that the drug gives them greater physical endurance while partying, heightened sensitivity to tactile sensations, and temporarily removes sexual inhibitions.  MDMA is primarily used in tablet form, but it can also be snorted.

Signs and symptoms of MDMA abuse

As a fast acting amphetamine, MDMA takes only thirty minutes to produce symptoms such as anxiety and rapid heart rate.  After the first wave of symptoms, sensations of euphoria and greater calm are more prominent.  As the state of relaxing calm deepens, visual disturbances and heightened sensitivity to touch become more apparent.  The “high” produced from MDMA lasts for approximately three to four hours.

Toxicity to MDMA is linked to seizures, irregular heart beat, cardiac arrest, kidney failure, and liver disease.  Current research suggests that usage of MDMA may result in permanent neurological damage to the brain.

Treatment protocols for MDMA addiction

Treatment protocols for MDMA addiction prior to admission into either a rehab or hospital unit include monitoring vital signs and administering Benzodiazepines if seizures, extreme agitation, or life-endangering panic reactions are present.  If the patient is completely out of control and at risk of injuring himself/herself or others, restraints may be required.

In addition to taking all precautions for patient safety, most treatment protocols for MDMA addiction fall within the scope of administering a therapeutic evaluation to best determine what type of long-term behavioral counseling program is capable of addressing individual and family needs.  In general, MDMA addiction is not treated with medication unless seizures or convulsions place the life of the patient at risk.

Help for families

If you suspect that your son or daughter is using MDMA, you need to act quickly.  Start by learning as much as you can about the drug and its effect on the user.  Let your child know that you are concerned about their health because you love them.  Remain as calm as humanly possible.  You may be the only person who can make a genuine difference in their life.

Talk about the permanent effects of using this drug.  Here is where you research pays off.  Be very specific about the type of nerve and neurological damage MDMA does to the brain.  Stay connected to your child.  Remember, every time they use the drug the consequences can be lethal.

Practice having this conversation many times before you actually approach your child.  Reach out to other parents and get some supportive networks of people around you.  If you need help, contact a long-term treatment program you trust.  Ask to speak to someone who can safely walk you through the process.  You are not alone.  Step up and out to get the help you need.

Long term treatment can help with chemical addictions

At Burning Tree, we know that families play an important role in how loved ones resolve to stay motivated and complete the program.  When you become part of the community at Burning Tree, our family becomes your family.  Our licensed clinicians, therapists, and addiction specialists utilize a dual diagnosis approach to treating chemical dependency behavior and mental disorders, so you benefit from state of the art therapeutics only found in the top rehab centers in the country.  Don’t settle for promises that short-term rehab centers are incapable of delivering.  Our commitment to you is relapse prevention.  All you have to do is pick up the phone and talk to one of our staff about how we can design a program that is right for you.  Long-term solutions require long-term care.  We are the best at what we do.  Call us now.