How Addictive Is MDMA

by | Dec 10, 2021

Addiction can be a challenging and isolating struggle, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. If you are seeking addiction treatment in Louisville, Kentucky, there is hope.

There is a lot of debate about addiction and MDMA. There are some who say it is not addictive at all, but this is a common misconception. It arises from the fact that there are not always strong withdrawal symptoms like users experience with alcohol and heroin, for example. However, it is possible to develop a dependence on MDMA because it has lasting effects on your brain and body. 

So, how addictive is MDMA and what are the impacts on your brain and body?

What Defines Addiction?

The way that people define addiction can vary, and this is why people mistakenly think that MDMA is not addictive. People are often talking about physical dependence when they think of addiction. This means that there are withdrawal symptoms after stopping or reducing the drug that can be very unpleasant. The discomfort and pain caused by the withdrawal cause people to continue taking the drug to avoid it. In some cases, severe withdrawal can be fatal, which is why people need to go into an addiction treatment center to wean themselves off the substance. However, the physical withdrawal symptoms from MDMA are nowhere near as severe as something like heroin, so physical dependence is rare. 

However, you do not need to develop a physical dependence on a drug to have a substance use disorder (SUD). In the case of MDMA, people develop emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be just as intense as those from physical addiction, and they include feeling depressed, anxious, irritable, and fatigued. 

People who have these psychological withdrawals cannot control their actions around the drug. They will experience the same symptoms of addiction, like craving the drug, taking it more and more often, continuing to take it even when it damages their relationships or job performance, getting into financial difficulties, and increasing tolerance over an extended period.

After prolonged use, the impact that MDMA has on your body and brain absolutely can lead to addiction and if you are using it regularly, you should consider admitting yourself to a treatment facility for help.

What Happens When You Take MDMA?

The short-term effects of MDMA include euphoria and a feeling of intimacy with the people around you. It can also cause increased energy levels, an enhanced sense of touch, and visual distortions. However, when the drug wears off, you will experience feelings of depression or aggression because of the way that it alters your brain chemistry. 

MDMA causes the brain to release neurotransmitters – chemicals that cause different physical and emotional reactions – like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. MDMA releases an especially large amount of serotonin, which is partially responsible for the feelings of euphoria and intimacy. However, this release also leads to further changes in your brain chemistry. 

After the drug wears off, your brain is left depleted and the serotonin levels are incredibly low. This is what leads to the ‘comedown’ feeling and makes users feel depressed and anxious for days, and sometimes weeks, afterward. When taken in larger amounts, this effect is heightened and the negative after-effects last for longer. 

How Does MDMA Use Cause Addiction?

People develop an addiction to MDMA when they use it regularly and it changes the reward pathways in their brain. Over time, your brain comes to rely on MDMA to release these neurotransmitters. That means that you will feel very depressed when not under the influence of the drug and feel the need to take it to feel normal. Eventually, users begin taking more and more MDMA and they develop a strong psychological dependence on it. 

It is also important to note that MDMA can be cut with other drugs that do cause physical dependence, like cocaine or methamphetamine, and this can further contribute to the addiction.

Common signs of MDMA addiction include:

  • Using larger doses of the drug to achieve desired effects
  • Spending the majority of your time obtaining and using MDMA
  • Craving the drug, when you are not using it
  • Continuing to use MDMA despite negative consequences like legal problems or relationship issues
  • Withdrawing from social situations that don’t involve MDMA
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when coming off the drug 

If you are experiencing these signs, seek professional help immediately. There are many different addiction treatments that can help with MDMA addiction. These include intensive outpatient programs that give all of the support that users can expect from traditional rehab programs without the need to commit to a full-time program. 

There are also alternatives like telemedicine programs that allow people to seek treatment remotely from their own homes. These are particularly useful for people that don’t have easy access to treatment centers and have become especially popular during the pandemic.

If you are concerned that you or somebody in your life is struggling with MDMA addiction, it is important to seek professional treatment right away.

Download this article

Our Latest Posts

How Can I Get Checked-In Anonymously To An Addiction Treatment Center?

Seeking help for an addiction can be difficult, but admitting you have an addiction in the first place can be even tougher. Everyone who seeks help for their addiction has to go through the process of admitting they need help, which isn’t always easy to do. While...

What to Know Before Asking for Time Off Work for Addiction Treatment

You can get the addiction treatment you need and still keep your job. In fact, your employer may be very supportive of the process.  After all, if you’re a good employee, they’ll want to hold on to you. That said,...

Intensive Outpatient Drug Treatment In Louisville

When you need support to overcome drug and alcohol addiction but also want to keep living your normal life without lengthy stays in rehab, intensive outpatient drug treatment in Louisville is the answer. By providing the best of both worlds, our team of friendly and...

Outpatient Drug Treatment In Louisville

Although an inpatient residential treatment program will often be the best course of action when it comes to severe substance addiction, this is not going to be necessary for everyone. Those who have a mild substance abuse problem with alcohol or drugs may well...

The 24-Hour Rule: A Critical Element in the Blueprint for Long-Term Sobriety

Starting your recovery journey calls for courage and commitment. You may be nervous about what to expect and may worry that you won’t be able to remain sober in the long run. The trick is to remain focused on the present and not think too far ahead or anticipate all...

Insights into Xanax as a Controlled Substance and Why Rehab May Be Necessary

As we burrow deeper into the twenty-first century, awareness and conversation around mental health, and by extension, the medication designed to alleviate its symptoms, grows ever more critical. Indeed, anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent psychiatric...

Navigating the Timeline of a 12-Step Program in Substance Abuse Recovery

Embarking on the journey of substance abuse recovery through a 12-step program can be both challenging and transformative. From acknowledging the need for change to achieving long-term sobriety, each step in the process plays a crucial role in the individual's...

7 Strategies for a Successful Career Comeback Post-Addiction

Embarking on a career comeback after battling addiction can be a daunting yet rewarding journey. Whether you're reentering the workforce after completing a rehabilitation program or navigating the challenges of maintaining sobriety while pursuing professional goals,...

How Cocaine Addiction Affects the Cardiovascular System

The grip of cocaine addiction extends far and wide, impacting countless lives with its insidious reach. Among its many destructive effects, the toll it takes on cardiovascular health looms large and ominous. Cocaine's potent stimulant properties unleash a series of...

Calculating the Real Cost: How Alcohol Abuse Impacts Your Finances

Alcohol consumption is a deeply ingrained part of various cultures around the world, often linked with socializing, celebrations, and relaxation. However, for some, these associations can lead to an unhealthy dependency, not only affecting personal health but also...

Our Video’s

Call Now Button