Dependence


 *  Dependence of MDMA **


 * Dependence on ecstasy is more psychological than it is physical like other psychoactive drugs. The users of ecstasy experience a unique emotional state where they feel euphoric. This primary effect can begin just after half an hour of ingesting the drug ( [|www.clearnhavencentre.com] ). Here the user feels a rush sensation and heightened perceptions. This effect can last between three to five hours ( [|www.thegoodrugsguide.com] ). During the primary effect of the drug the user may begin to feel nauseous, experience hallucinations, fever, tremors, clenching of the jaw, blurred vision, and muscle cramping ( [|www.clearhavencentre.com] ). However, despite these negative affects ecstasy has on the body, the psychological effect is more dominant. **


 * An avid user of the drug is no longer able to get to this same “high” while sober. This is due to the effects the drugs have on the brain, altering the serotonin. This high is then unattainable without the drug and the user becomes dependent on getting back to that maximum happy place they once were at. The only way they can reach that while addicted to ecstasy is to continue using the drug. This psychological dependence grows stronger as the using of the drug is more frequent. Some users feel they cannot function without the drug when they are fully addicted. **
 * The secondary effect of using ecstasy is a decrease in attitude and sleep. However, many college adolescents who take the drug enjoy this feature. This secondary effect can take place between one and three days. With regular users this secondary effect can take a toll on their health. A person may lack sleep and proper nutrition. This secondary effect can also lead to a poor immune system over time. **

====** Research has found that the stronger the addiction, the more tolerant users are to the drug. This comes at a cost however. When the effects of ecstasy begin to wear off the effects are more severe. These withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, short-term memory loss and an inability to concentrate ( [|www.thegooddrugsguide.com] ). This can also lead to anxiety, depression and paranoia. Addiction is very prominent among ecstasy users. It is reported in Canada that 43% of users are dependent on the drug, with 34% of the users reported to abuse the drug. More than half of all users (60%) reported to having withdrawal symptoms ( [|www.addictionenders.com] ). These numbers conclude that ecstasy is a very addictive drug among users. In 2004, 4% of the Canadian population had reported taking MDMA in their lifetime. In 2002, a study showed that 8% of grade ten boys and 5% of grade ten girls had tried MDMA that year. In 2003, 7.2% of Ontario grade 12 students reported having an addiction (http://www.drugrehab.ca/ecstasy-addiction.html). In an Ontario study done by CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) in 2009, 3.2 percent of students grades 7-12 reported taking the drug. In 2008, 1.4 percent of students who were 15 and older reported using the drug at least once that year ( http://www.camh.net/about_addiction_mental_health/drug_and_addiction_information/ecstasy_dyk.html).**====

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Sources:

http://www.addictionenders.com/ecstacy_rehab.html

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