Many intertwine the terms Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ecstasy, but they’re different in their own right. However, one thing both of these synthetic drugs have in common beyond being hallucinogens and stimulants is that they’re used recreationally as party drugs, often at parties, festivals, raves, and clubs. There’s much more to learn about them, including how they can affect your body.
TL;DR – MDMA is a pure chemical compound, while ecstasy is a street name for pills that are supposed to contain MDMA but often include other substances or impurities. MDMA is used in controlled therapeutic settings, while ecstasy can be less predictable and riskier due to adulterants.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Ecstasy and MDMA
Many refer to ecstasy and MDMA as being one drug, and as previously stated, they do have several similarities. They’re not entirely different, but they’re not exactly the same, either. Both are Schedule 1 narcotics in the United States.
Appearance of Ecstasy and MDMA
It’s common to find these pills on the party scene, easily recognizable by their variety of colors and often featuring a logo, such as a heart, smiley face, sports team, clothing designer, or crown. In some cases, they may also look like a traditional pill, with a single line down the center. The pills are usually round but may also come in other shapes, including bars, skulls, squares, and animals.
Chemical Differences and Similarities
MDMA is considered the pure form of the drug in itself. Although MDMA is the main component in ecstasy, ecstasy is often cut with other drugs and fillers, usually unbeknownst to the recipient. For example, they may think they’re taking a pill of pure MDMA when they may actually be taking ecstasy cut with fillers and fentanyl. It can often be a dangerous game of Russian Roulette with unintended consequences, including brain damage and death.
Effects on the Body and Mind
MDMA and ecstasy both have significant effects on the mind and body. Many people who take these drugs do so for their associated potential side effects, including increased feelings of energy, sociability, happiness, and euphoria along with decreased inhibitions. However, there are also other possible side effects, including anxiety, dehydration, paranoia, and problems sleeping.
Dangers of Street Ecstasy
The problem with taking illegal party drugs is that you never really know what you’re getting, even if they seem to be coming from a trusted source. Sometimes you may find out later on what the pills were cut with or you may never know, unaware that in addition to MDMA, you may have unintentionally taken something else, such as heroin, fentanyl, or cocaine.
This can lead to a variety of problems. For starters, it can result in adverse side effects that could severely harm or kill the recipient and/or cause them to do risky activities they wouldn’t normally do. Some who have previously taken MDMA or ecstasy can also have different experiences with each use. For example, they may feel wonderful one time in one set of circumstances and in a particular environment but could have an adverse reaction another time in a different environment and under another set of circumstances. This is often compounded by the addition of other drugs and/or fillers in what the recipient thinks is pure MDMA. There’s no telling how much MDMA (or anything else) you’re getting in each dose. The composition could be different every time, especially depending on who you’re getting it from. It could be easy to unintentionally overdose on a drug that you don’t even realize you’re taking because you’re under the impression it’s pure MDMA.
Recreational users can easily say they’ll never get addicted to MDMA or ecstasy, but the problem is that addiction isn’t planned. It often sneaks up on you, catching you off guard before you realize how big of a problem you actually have. By that time, you’re usually in deep and it’s often difficult to figure out what to do on your own.
Addiction and Treatment Options
Many recreational users don’t realize the addiction risk that comes with taking ecstasy. For example, let’s consider cocaine and heroin, only two of the drugs that may be added to ecstasy. Some people think recreationally taking ecstasy is safer than taking heroin or cocaine, not realizing that the heroin or cocaine might already be in the ecstasy pill they’re about to take.
Both cocaine and heroin are highly addictive. Once you get even a small taste of the effects, it could be easy to continue to chase the high and increase dosages and the frequency in which you take it, leaving ecstasy in the rearview on the way to harder drugs. A drug dealer could promise what you’re taking is pure MDMA, but what they say and what is actually in the pill could be two different things.
It comes down to money. The more addicted you are to one or more drugs, the more you’re willing to spend, regardless of where you’re getting the money from or what you have to do to get it. The more drugs you want, the happier your drug dealer will be because you – as a repeat customer – are willing to spend huge amounts of money to keep chasing the high, thereby keeping them in business. You’re a transaction to them, essentially dollar signs, and they often have no regard for what could happen to you while you’re trying to get money to pay them or if you have an adverse reaction and end up in the hospital or in a grave.
Illinois Recovery Center has a deep commitment to helping you with your addiction recovery and doing so without judgment. We care about you as a person and want to assist you with your recovery so you can be and feel like the healthiest, best version of yourself.
Our center has a variety of services that can pertain to your drug addiction. For example, we offer drug and alcohol detox, inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, and outpatient counseling.
Many patients worry about what they’ll do and how they’ll handle life after completing a drug rehab problem. Once you’re part of our family, you won’t be on your own. Illinois Recovery Center offers aftercare addiction treatment for those who have completed rehab.
We help you with everything from working to restore relationships that were damaged during drug addiction to handling cravings. While we expect our patients to put in the work, we don’t expect them to do it alone. Our variety of services help you heal as a whole person, as someone capable of getting through this challenging time.
Why Seeking Treatment is Critical
Many people feel like they can get through MDMA or ecstasy addiction on their own, but it can be incredibly challenging to do it by yourself, especially if your current support system doesn’t understand your particular situation. The key to successfully battling against this type of addiction, especially before it worsens, is often to have professional assistance from those who are trained in helping people with such circumstances. The many support systems at Illinois Recovery Center mean you don’t have to handle any of this by yourself. Rather than taking an overall approach, we focus on you and what you need for your well-being, your life, and your circumstances.
There’s no better time than now to start conquering your MDMA or ecstasy addiction. Contact Illinois Recovery Center in Swansea, Illinois, today for more information about getting help. You can call us anytime with any questions you have. Another option for starting your journey is filling out the Insurance Verification Form on our website. We’ll help you through the process, everything from admissions to insurance. Reach out to us now for details.
