Signs Of Ecstasy Use

Ecstasy is categorized as a club drug. It is a controlled substance that is tagged along with other dangerous narcotic substances such as LSD, cocaine, and heroin. It is aptly named as it has been frequently used in all-night parties to enhance the psychedelic experience. Ecstasy is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. It is the street name for the chemical MDMA. Using Ecstasy increases adrenaline levels in the body. The use of the drug also leads to chances of dependency as chemical alterations in the brain causes serotonin levels to be imbalanced.

Ecstasy is a very psychologically addictive drug because of the high that it provides. Statistics indicate that most users take it in large amounts, both by itself or combined with other drugs. While there are many warning signs of Ecstasy abuse, it is not possible to brand an user of Ecstasy abuse by considering one warning sign alone. Many signs in tandem can, however, identify that the individual is abusing the drug.
The drug Ecstasy can be ingested in the pill, capsule or tablet form or as an injection. Some users are known to insert the pill into the anus and this act is also called 'shelving' or 'shafting'.

Signs of Ecstasy Use

Ecstasy alters sensory perceptions of the user. Used in dimly lit all-night parties or raves as they are called, users of Ecstasy achieve the much-craved sensory stimulation while on Ecstasy by wearing or holding glow-in-the-dark accessories or props while they dance.
Colored pills in the dress pockets or bags, stretchy strings having candy necklaces (the candies may be Ecstasy pills!) are objects to look out for. Many Ecstasy pills are shaped like logos. Possession of mentholated rub on the person of the user is also common.

Both Ecstasy users and non-users at such gatherings generally sport banners and other paraphernalia with the PLUR mantra (acronym for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect). Participants of the Ecstasy rave parties are known to assume pseudonyms such as 'Sunshine', 'Harmony', etc. This is seen as a method to extend the feel-good factor of Ecstasy. They are known to have multiple sexual partners. A common symptom of Ecstasy use includes the user feeling that he/she is love with the person they are with or have just met. Ecstasy users maintain a continuous happy mood and show no worry or exhibit any concern when under the influence of the drug.

Ecstasy users are known to return back after rave parties with a lot of energy. The stimulation provided by Ecstasy may be the cause. These highs are followed by severe crashes or lows when the drug users sleep for days together to recover from exhaustion. The Ecstasy 'high' is known to last from four to six hours. Most users are known to overdose themselves to extend the high. They combine the drug with LSD, cocaine, and amphetamines. The users experience wakefulness and alertness during the high. Ecstasy users show a lack of awareness of pain.

Ecstasy changes the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin. This can cause personality shifts and mood disorders in the person who uses them. Users tend to think pessimistically and are prone to bouts of depression. They are also known to suffer from anxiety attacks. Many of them are known to be severely paranoid. Ecstasy users exhibit self harming behavior such as cutting themselves. Users are prone to having suicidal thoughts. Some users show aggression that is serious and life threatening. Stacking or consuming multiple doses of the drug sometimes brings about frightening reactions. It can also cause strokes and seizures. Ecstasy overdose may result in heart failure.

Ecstasy use affects mental acuity. Users have difficulty in remembering things and events and are prone short term memory loss. Cognition is impaired and so are critical thinking skills. Judgment and productivity are affected. The sudden bursts of energy are accompanied by activities done with high speed. Many users complain of migraine type headaches. The migraines can also be triggered by the flashing strobe lights during raves.

Ecstasy naturally causes bruxism or tooth grinding/clenching. Most Ecstasy users can be seen chewing gum to prevent this grinding. They are also known to use pacifiers and lollipops to guard against the sore jaws due to grinding of teeth. Ecstasy use is characterized by occurrence of a dry mouth. Cavities and gum disease is also common among users.

The hyperactivity bursts and all night dancing is a cause for dehydration among the drug users. The crowded hot clubs combined with all-night dancing at the raves can cause exhausting, fainting, profuse sweating, hypothermia or extremely high fever, etc. The drug can disrupt the temperature regulation mechanism of the body. In the worst case the user can slip into a coma or even face death. Clubs that permit use of Ecstasy often have chill rooms that allow users to use cold water to cool off. They typically have massage rooms to ease the muscle spasms that feel good when rubbed off with balms.

Ecstasy causes pupils to dilate and the black inner circle of the eye appears enlarged. It increases heart rate and blood pressure. Ecstasy users become run down over a period of time and the user is unable to fight infections such as the common cold and flu.

Under the influence of Ecstasy, a person has a heightened tactile sense. They want to touch things that feel good to them and also want to be touched.

Ecstasy affects parts of the brain that controls moods, response to sleep and pain. The drug causes release of excessive amounts of certain hormones. The drug dependence occurs because the individual desires the effects of these hormones to last. The psychological dependence further triggers the physical dependence. The tolerance for the drug increases and goes on to become an addiction.

Ecstasy users experience nausea, chills in spite of the sweat and muscle cramps. One of the most obvious signs of regular Ecstasy use is weight loss. This synthetic stimulant was first developed to help people shed weight.

Withdrawal symptoms of Ecstasy include loss of appetite, depression, tiredness, inability to concentrate, etc.

Awareness about the signs of Ecstasy use can help you to reach out to any individual addicted to the drug and help them in overcoming the problem.