Recognizing a Problem With Ecstasy
SUMMARY
Symptoms of abuse include:
- Continued use despite clear evidence of harmful consequences
- Depressive mood states consequent to heavy use
- Drug-related impairment of mental functioning
There are signs and symptoms to look for to determine whether you or someone you know has a problem with MDMA (Ecstasy).
How can I tell if my child is using MDMA?
MDMA is in huge demand among young people, and the supply is endless. Adolescents and young adults are the primary markets for this drug. Attendance at rave parties should be a warning sign to parents that their children will at the very least be exposed to MDMA.
The rave scene is viewed as cool, and kids will go to great lengths to fit in and to be accepted by their peers. One report suggested that more than half of the teens using MDMA were given their first pill at a rave party.
If you suspect your child might be using MDMA, look for the following signs:
- Your child is fatigued upon waking up in the morning after spending an evening out. MDMA produces a severe hangover, and many users will remain in bed for the day and will complain of nausea and headache.
- Your child experiences mood swings; your child is depressed after a long night out.
- You find pills, powder or cigarettes in which powder can be placed.
- Your child changes friends or activities to accommodate new MDMA interests.
- You see changes in your child’s attitude, hobbies or grades.
- Your child shows substantial changes in behavioral and medical (including emergency, accidental injury and gastrointestinal disturbance) conditions.
- Your child’s school behavior exhibits increased antagonism, mood swings, significant changes in grade-point average and a great number of unexcused school absences.
- Other items associated with raves/MDMA use include glow sticks, florescent clothing and jewelry, pacifiers and candy jewelry.
How do I know if I have a problem?
General signs and symptoms that you may have a problem with MDMA include the following:
- A strong desire or a sense of compulsion to take the drug
- Difficulty in controlling substance-taking behavior in terms of its onset, termination or levels of use
- Progressive neglect of other pleasures or interests because of MDMA
- Increased amount of time needed to obtain or take the drug or to recover from its effects
- Continued use despite clear evidence of harmful consequences
- Depressive mood states consequent to heavy use
- Drug-related impairment of cognitive and mental functioning
- Evidence of tolerance, such as needing increased doses to achieve the effects originally produced by lower doses
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Do I think about using MDMA when I should be thinking about, or doing, other things?
Have friends or family members expressed concern about my use or behavior?
Do I hide my use from friends or family?
Have I used more MDMA than I had planned to at a party or rave?
Have I overdosed to the point where I could not take care of myself?
Am I spending money I don’t really have on MDMA?
Have I tried to quit?
Do I have problems at work or school because of drug use?
Do I resent hearing that I should cut down or quit?
Have I planned to cut down or quit and then used anyway?
Do I promise myself or others that I will quit?
Do I use drugs to relieve unpleasant feelings or stress?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may have a problem with MDMA and should seek professional help.
Friends or loved ones who exhibit one or more of the following signs may have a problem with MDMA:
- Getting high on a regular basis
- Lying about things or about the amount of drugs they are using
- Avoiding you and others in order to get high
- Giving up activities they used to do, such as sports, homework or hanging out with friends who don't use drugs
- Having to use more drugs to get the same effects
- Talking constantly about using drugs
- Believing that to have fun, they need to use drugs
- Pressuring others to use drugs
- Getting into trouble with the law
- Engaging in high-risk sexual behavior
- Having been sexually assaulted while using MDMA
- Having been suspended from school for an alcohol- or drug-related incident
- Missing work or performing poorly at work because of drug use
- Missing school or performing poorly at school because of drug use
Drug and alcohol problems can affect each one of us, regardless of age, sex, race, marital status, place of residence, income level or lifestyle. If you have experienced any of the above problems, take heart. Help is available. More than a million Americans like you have taken charge of their lives and are living healthy and drug-free.
The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.
The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.
www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)
Downloads
Quotes
"You need to realize that the little voice in your head telling you to use is your own."
Maya
MoreSend us your QuotesTips & Hints
Reach out for support
Don’t try to go it alone. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having a solid support system is essential. The more positive influ...MoreLearn healthy ways to cope with problems
Even once you’ve recovered from drug addiction, you’ll still have to face the issues that led to your drug problems in the first pl...MoreLook for help
There are many groups and organizations available to help you overcome your addiction. Once you have set your mind to beating your addi...MoreSeek support from your family
Your family needs to be involved in your journey to fight your addiction. Only you can accomplish this important task, but you need to ...MoreRegain Power
Many addictions are undermined because we believe we are powerless to change the situation. This is not true! You do have the power to ...More More Tips & Hints
