Ecstasy is the street name for MDMA (Methylene dioxy meth amphetamine). Ecstasy was used to treat psychiatric disorders in 60’s, in USA. But instead of curing patients, it made the disorder worse and therefore the drug was abandoned. The drug became known for its effects of generating hallucinations, altered state of awareness and distortion of perception, in the 1980’s, and its use has increased since.

Ecstasy has a pleasant, relaxing effect. It heightens senses of affection, kindness and love, and decreases appetite and sleep. Other effects are extreme confidence and sense of well being, anxiety, dilated pupils and rapid eye movement, sweating, nausea, tensing of facial muscles, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, increased heart rate and blood pressure and increased body temperature. But this effect of decreased appetite and endurance of increased physical activity brings down food and liquid consumption, resulting in dehydration and exhaustion. This commonly results in death, thus making this drug highly dangerous.

Physical harm caused by intake of this drug is hypertension, panic attacks, seizures, liver disease, diabetes and heart disease. Regular intake of this drug, for a long time, results in mental disorders as well. These disorders include psychotic disorders, memory loss, anxiety and depression. Overdose of the drug causes bleeding in the brain, increase in blood pressure, overheating and dehydration of body and kidney failure. These can cause immediate death.

Ecstasy is usually taken by mouth in the form of pills, capsules and tablets. They are also injected and inserted into the anus. Effect of the drug takes place from 20 to 60 minutes and can last up to 2 days.

Use of ecstasy over the past 2 decades has increased tremendously. It is one of the most common drugs used in clubs and parties. Its use is very frequent in beach parties, rock concerts, raves and night clubs. It is the most smuggled drug in the world and is usually smuggled from China, Mexico and Europe. The effect of this drug, causing decreased appetite and sleep, makes it very popular. People who find themselves addicted to ecstasy are high school and college students.

There are a number of drug rehabilitation centers which provide treatment for ecstasy addiction. People who have used this drug for a short term might find it easier to cure themselves of this addiction. Professional help from these rehab centers, along with family support and good will power of the patient can easily cure ecstasy addiction. Long term users will face more problems as there is severe withdrawal symptom of this drug. A lot of medical complications may arise when the usage is stopped abruptly. Treatment programs for long term usage of this drug includes, detoxification along with the use of sedatives, behavior modification techniques, lectures on health and nutrition and psychological counseling. These programs help in reducing risks of detoxification over a long period of time.