Ecstasy (MDMA) is both a stimulant and a hallucinogenic. The effects of ecstasy might include increased energy, euphoria, distortions in sensory perception, feelings of empathy toward others, and more. Because of the effects it causes, ecstasy is often used in party, club, or rave settings.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 2.2 million people reported using MDMA in 2021.[1]
It is possible to become addicted to ecstasy. If you suffer from ecstasy addiction, your brain and body rely on it to function properly. Suddenly stopping the use of it might result in withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and more.
MDMA withdrawal can last from 12 hours to a little over a week. The length and severity of your withdrawal symptoms will depend on how often you abused ecstasy, the dose you consumed, and whether you are receiving treatment. Medical detox programs can make it much easier to overcome ecstasy withdrawal through medical supervision and medications.
In this article, you will learn:
- Which symptoms ecstasy withdrawal causes
- How long does ecstasy withdrawal last
- What to expect during each stage of MDMA withdrawal
- How a medical detox center can help
Understanding Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms
While ecstasy withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, it can be challenging to cope with.
MDMA releases a large amount of serotonin in your brain.[2] Once you stop using it, your serotonin levels are depleted, leading to severe depression and fatigue. For this reason, ecstasy withdrawal can be extremely hard on your emotional state, especially if you already suffer from mental health issues.[3]
The common mental and physical symptoms of MDMA withdrawal include:
- Anxiety and irritability
- Agitation and confusion
- Severe depression
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Paranoia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of appetite
- Cravings for ecstasy
While most of the symptoms are psychological, MDMA withdrawal still requires medical treatment. Symptoms like depression could become severe, putting you at risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Being under the supervision of an addiction treatment center will ensure you remain safe throughout the entire process.
What is the Ecstasy Withdrawal Timeline?
Ecstasy increases the activity in your central nervous system. When you stop using it, your brain will have a hard time keeping up. This is what causes you to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Knowing how long ecstasy withdrawal lasts can help you prepare for medical detox.
12 Hours
You should begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms within 12 hours of your last dose of ecstasy. However, these symptoms will be mild and easy to manage. You might notice slight anxiety, feelings of depression, and a bit of fatigue.
1 to 3 Days
Your withdrawal symptoms will begin to peak sometime between 1 to 3 days. It is common to experience intense anxiety, severe depression, insomnia, and paranoia. You might also feel physically ill, dealing with effects like fatigue and general feelings of discomfort.
During this stage, it is common to have significant cravings for ecstasy. Being under the care of a medical detox program will make you less likely to experience a relapse.
4 to 7 Days
On the fourth day of withdrawal, your symptoms should slowly start getting better. By a week, most of your withdrawal symptoms should subside. While it is common to continue experiencing cravings, you can work through these feelings during therapy in an inpatient rehab program.
How is Ecstasy Withdrawal Treated?
If you are addicted to ecstasy, you should seek professional help. Ecstasy withdrawal is best treated under the care of a medical detox program. During detox, you will be monitored constantly to ensure you remain physically and mentally healthy.
In addition to supervision, you will be given medications to manage your symptoms. There is no FDA-approved medication specifically designed for MDMA withdrawal. That said, doctors will prescribe medications to treat certain symptoms, like antidepressants to manage suicidal thoughts and anxiety.
Because ecstasy withdrawal causes a lot of psychological symptoms, you will have constant access to a mental health professional during the detox process. You might engage in individual therapy and group counseling as well. If you have any co-occurring mental health disorders, you will receive simultaneous treatment for those.
Once you have overcome your withdrawal symptoms, you will be transferred into inpatient or outpatient rehab. These programs help you unpack the root causes of your addiction and learn vital relapse-prevention techniques.
Get Connected to an Ecstasy Detox Program
If you abuse club drugs like ecstasy, it’s time to consider professional treatment. MDMA is an addictive substance that requires long-term treatment, including medical detox, therapy, and relapse prevention. The side effects of ecstasy withdrawal can be difficult to cope with, so you must receive assistance from a detox program.
At Mandala Healing Center, we offer medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention planning to each of our clients. Whether you struggle with ecstasy addiction or another type of substance, we are here to help you recover.
Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.
Contact us today for more information on what ecstasy withdrawal is like and how we can help you recover.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of MDMA use in the United States
- NIDA: What are MDMA’s effects on the brain?
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): current perspectives