|
|
Treatment-Hotline2 :: Substance Abuse :: Teen Addiction
Ecstasy - Dangerous "Club Drug"
addiction and alcoholism are believed to be a learned behavior that is masking a person's emotional or physical pain. There are almost as many treatments as there are addicts and alcoholics.
Educate yourself before making any type of life-changing decison regarding alcoholism, addiction and substance abuse treatment.
Ecstasy - Dangerous "Club Drug"
Ecstasy is probably the most prevalent of many "club drugs"; the drugs of choice at in the rave, or all-night (sometimes all-weekend) party scene. Ecstasy is also fast becoming the drug of choice among teens. Not only is the drug inexpensive, but teens do not associate a great deal of risk with this drug. Therein lies the danger; This colorless, tasteless, and odorless drug produces increased stamina and intoxicating highs and is a silent and sometimes deadly menace. It can lead to long-lasting psychological and physical problems and can be lethal when used in excessive amounts.
Ecstasy is known by several street names including "Adam," "X," and "XTC." The use of ecstasy has spread nationwide and is no longer restricted to the club scene. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health more than 10 million people have tried Ecstasy at least once.
The drugs popularity is clearly linked to its reputation as a harmless party drug that lowers inhibitions, enhances sensations, and produces a relaxed, euphoric state. But studies have shown that with this sense of well-being comes effects on the brain that include depression, anxiety, paranoia, and severe neurological problems. Physical effects can include muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, kidney failure, and heart attack. Women are particularly threatened because of the high levels of the female hormone estrogen, which prevents their bodies from coping with the water retention that occurs as Ecstasy is absorbed into the system. Because ecstasy is mostly created in illegal labs, it is often mixed with other more harmful drugs, which can and do lead to serious health problems.
While it is very hard to know if a friend or a child is using a club drug, there are some warning signs to look for:
Memory problems
Loss of coordination, dizziness, fainting
depression
Confusion
Sleep problems
Chills or sweating
Slurred speech.
Data show that ecstasy can be addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse 43 percent of young adults and adolescents who reported ecstasy use met the accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence. Almost 60 percent of people who use ecstasy report withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.
You can find out more about ecstasy and preventing youth drug abuse by visiting the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's web site: www.theantidrug.com
Source: SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse
Did you find the addiction treatment information you were looking for? There are more articles and
additional resources on this subject here. Take your time and take a good hard look...
|
|
|
|
