Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms: Is it safe to self-treat?

Withdrawal symptoms are rarely life-threatening with ecstasy but they can be hard to manage at home and feel distressing too. They occur immediately after the drug’s effects wear off, usually between 3-6 hours and these may peak over the first few days. The timeline of the effects can last for a week or longer in some cases.

Length of Withdrawal

It is difficult to mention the length of withdrawal time in ecstasy users and it can be more psychological than physical. Also, the time depends on the individual, the extent of dependence, length of use, combination of other drugs in ecstasy and already prevalent mental or physical health issues.

Though the users may feel certain stubborn symptoms like confusion, depression, sleep deprivation and issues with concentration and memory for a longer time after quitting ecstasy, some intense symptoms dissipate slowly over the first week. Symptoms like thirst, poor appetite and restlessness will continue for a little longer.

Dangers of Ecstasy withdrawal

Withdrawal from Ecstasy is not as dangerous when compared with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. However, some unmanageable complications of withdrawal include: 

Complications of Ecstasy or Molly withdrawal can include

Depression

People who refrain from the use of ecstasy may feel extremely depressed or sad due to the absence of high and euphoria that results from the use. As with the case of many other drugs, withdrawal symptoms of Ecstasy are more psychological than physiological. These symptoms may not manifest in the users as life-threatening diseases but they may lead to thoughts of suicide in them.

Anxiety

Withdrawal from ecstasy can cause anxiety in the users. Which can lead individuals to abuse other substances to relieve the same.

Decreased appetite

Ecstasy withdrawal can lead to reduced appetite, which may lead to some unhealthy weight loss and temporary nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies in turn hinder recovery. A balanced nutrition which is well planned in de-addiction programs, rehabs for recovering addicts is quintessential for speedy recovery.

Insomnia

Users that develop insomnia from withdrawal may be at risk of accidents or injury.

Increased chances of relapse

Ecstasy and Molly increase the activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain of the users. These chemicals cause heightened energy and activity, euphoric feelings, raised heart rate and blood pressure, and changes in mood, appetite, sleep cycles, arousal, trust, and empathy.

Refraining from Ecstasy use, the brain of the addict becomes depleted of a chemical called serotonin, which can result in disturbances in mood, sleep, and appetite. This reaction may lead to relapse in some people.

What are the safest ways to detox?

Some of the safest ways to Detox are listed below.

Detox Centres

There will be stand-alone detox canters. At a detox centre, patients are allowed to live at the facility throughout the detoxification process. Dedicated detox centres offer 24/7 monitoring and support. Patients are discharged only after they complete withdrawal symptoms, and they may continue treatment for addiction at another facility.

Psychiatrist and medical staff in these programs will be well trained to monitor and execute safer management of withdrawal symptoms based on the reaction and response of individual addicts. Staff is especially trained to identify symptoms, and they can provide support, treatment, and medication to ease during the withdrawal process.

Rehab Center

People reside at the rehab centres for a specified period of time in these kinds of programs. Most inpatient rehab centres provide 24/7 monitoring and medical care for detox as well as treatment for addiction, such as therapy and 12-step meetings.

In-patient Treatment

In this type of treatment program, addicts reside at the drug treatment centre under the supervision of medical staff for a specified period of time till the symptoms cease.

Out-patient treatment

In this type of setting, people live at home but visit an outpatient treatment facility to receive withdrawal care and monitoring throughout the length of the program.

It’s important to participate in a professional Ecstasy recovery program to address the addiction and treat abuse of any other drugs.