Ecstasy: A Case Study

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Ecstasy
• Often classified as a stimulant
• However, more specifically, it can be classified as an entactogen as it does not properly fit the typical drug categories
• Legally classified as a Schedule I drug (high potential for abuse and no medical use)
• Other names for ecstasy: Adam, Beans, Clarity, Disco Biscuit, E, Eve, Go, Hug Drug, Lover’s Speed, MDMA, Molly, Peace, Rolls, Uppers, STP, X, and XTC
(DEA, 2011; Kuhn, 2014; NIDA, 2011)
Prevalence and Demographics of Use, Abuse, and Addiction
• ~ 19 million people world-wide use ecstasy
• ~ 2.8 million Americans 12+ years old reported having abused ecstasy in 2009
• The drug is common in adolescents and young adults o Specifically, a drug report by NIDA gave the following statistics: 2.4% of 8th graders, 4.7% of 10th graders and 4.5% …show more content…
This can result in high doses in short time periods if drug use is repeated
(DEA, 2011)
Hangover Symptoms and Causes
• Hangover, or “come down” effects are very similar to withdrawal symptoms o Fatigue, moodiness, insomnia, depression, irritability, and paranoia
• Can also occur at the same time as early withdrawal would start
• Caused because the surge of serotonin caused by ecstasy depletes the brain’s supply of the neurotransmitter. The levels must regulate and normalize.
(McKetin, 2014; NIDA, 2013)
Effects on the Reproductive System, Fetus, and Children
• Not a large amount of research, as ecstasy is so commonly mixed with other drugs, but some show that use during the 3rd trimester may have adverse effects on learning and memory for the child
(NIDA, 2013)
Neurotransmitters Effects
• Causes a release of serotonin and dopamine
• Also releases norepinephrine causing the increase in heart rate and blood pressure
(El-Mallakh & Abraham, 2007; NIDA, 2013)
Antagonists
• Taking extra amounts of tryptophan may help lessen the sudden loss of serotonin
(Kuhn, 2014)
Drugs that Cause Synergistic Effects & Dangerous
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