Understanding MDMA Addiction

Learn about MDMA addiction and abuse

MDMA, which is often referred to by the slang terms ecstasy, X, and molly, is a synthetic drug with stimulating and hallucinogenic properties. MDMA is an illegal substance that is typically grouped into the informal category of club drugs. When a person ingests MDMA, which most commonly occurs via swallowing the drug in pill or capsule form, he or she is likely to experience a significant increase in alertness, mood, energy, emotional openness, and arousal. MDMA elicits these sensations by interacting with the central nervous system in a manner that triggers the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The pleasurable effects of MDMA make it a popular substance of abuse, primarily among individuals who attend raves, dance parties, and events that feature electronic dance music. The drug is illegal in the United States as well as in many other countries, and its use exposes individuals to a variety of physical and psychological harm. Individuals who take MDMA often abuse it in combination with other substances, including alcohol, which can magnify the potential for harm. When a person engages in long-term MDMA abuse, he or she may be incapable of stopping this self-defeating behavior without help. Thankfully, professional treatment has proven effective at empowering individuals to overcome the urge to abuse MDMA and to achieve long-term recovery.

Statistics

MDMA addiction statistics

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) between 5 and 10 percent of the adult population in the United States has abused MDMA at least once. MDMA abuse is most common in the young adult demographic group, with NIDA reporting that more than 12 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 26 having abused the drug at least once. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) reports that about 0.1 percent of the U.S. population will develop other hallucinogen use disorder, the clinical term for the category of chemical dependency that includes MDMA addiction.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for MDMA addiction

Research strongly suggests that the following are among the several genetic and environmental factors that may increase a person’s risk for abusing or becoming dependent upon MDMA:

Genetic: Having a parent or sibling who struggled with a substance use disorder or another mental health disorder can raise a person’s risk for developing an addiction. According to the APA, genetics are responsible from between 26 percent and 79 percent of the risk variance for developing dependence upon MDMA. This determination is based upon studies involving male twins. A genetic predisposition for risk-taking behaviors may also increase a person’s risk for MDMA abuse and addiction.

Environmental: Associating with individuals who abuse hallucinogens or who engage in other forms of substance abuse can increase the likelihood that a person will abuse MDMA.

Risk Factors:

Family history of substance abuse and addiction
Family history of mental illness
Age (MDMA abuse is most common among young adults ages 18 to 26)
Gender (men are slightly more likely than women to abuse MDMA)
Access to MDMA
Prior abuse of hallucinogens
Early exposure to alcohol and tobacco abuse
Associating with individuals who abuse MDMA and other hallucinogens

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of MDMA addiction

No single sign or set of symptoms will definitively identify MDMA abuse, but the following are among the more common indicators that a person has been abusing or has become dependent upon this dangerous substance:

Behavioral symptoms:

Acting with uncharacteristic energy and apparent lack of need for sleep
Acting in an overly empathetic manner
Using MDMA after having already experienced negative repercussions from prior use
Using MDMA in situations where it is clearly dangerous to do so
Trying but failing to end one’s abuse of MDMA
Devoting significant time to acquiring, using, and recovering from MDMA

Physical symptoms:

Cravings for MDMA
Suppressed appetite and resultant weight loss
Dehydration
Elevated body temperature
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Nausea
Impaired vision
Clenching teeth
Chills

Cognitive symptoms:

Anxiety
Confusion
Euphoria
Increased sensitivity to external stimuli
Vertigo
Memory problems

Psychosocial symptoms:

Enhanced self-confidence
Improved sense of self
Heightened sexual arousal
Increased empathy and sense of connectedness
Loss of inhibitions

Effects

Effects of MDMA addiction

Individuals who continue to abuse MDMA and who do not get the proper treatment for this problem may experience myriad negative effects and outcomes, including the following:

Anterograde amnesia
Damage to jaw and teeth
Heart damage
Kidney failure
High blood pressure
Sexual dysfunction
Sexually transmitted infections
Family discord
Strained or damaged interpersonal relationships
Substandard academic performance
Diminished occupational performance
Job loss
Unemployment
Financial problems
Legal problems, including arrest and incarceration
Depression
Suicidal ideation

Dual Diagnosis

MDMA addiction and dual diagnosis

People who have become dependent upon MDMA may be at increased risk for developing the certain other mental health disorders. In clinical terms, the presence of multiple disorders is known as dual diagnosis. Among individuals who become addicted to MDMA, dual diagnosis may involve the following:

Antisocial personality disorder
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders
Depressive disorders
Other substance use disorders

Many people who are struggling with addiction don’t realize they can benefit from dual diagnosis programming. This is why it’s important to get help at a center that can identify and address all of your needs. Effective dual diagnosis programming can be an essential part of your recovery journey.

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of MDMA withdrawal and overdose

Effects of ecstasy withdrawal: After a person has been abusing MDMA for an extended period of time, attempting to stop can trigger the onset of several distressing symptoms, including the following:

Intense cravings for MDMA
Agitation
Headaches, nausea, and chills
Muscle pain and stiffness
Insomnia
Depersonalization
Delusions
Psychosis

Effects of ecstasy overdose: A person who takes MDMA in a quantity that exceeds his or her body’s ability to process may experience the following symptoms, and should be brought to the immediate attention of a qualified healthcare provider: