One of the most popular, as well as potentially dangerous, street drugs now being used by teenagers in Los Angeles is Ecstasy. This is an extremely dangerous drug which is made with a variety of ingredients including PCP, cocaine, cough syrup and caffeine. Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic drug which is frequently used by adolescents, especially when they go to a club or concert; including teen only events. It is also frequently used at what is known as a rave, which is a large gathering of youth going wild to electronic dance music (EDM) or similar exciting music genres. Ecstasy is psychologically addictive as opposed to physical, however the more it is used and when used in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol, the risks of addiction become greater. Fortunately, adolescent drug detox centers are available to help your teen learn about the dangers of this drug while undergoing professional treatment for their drug use.
How Is Ecstasy Used?
Ecstasy is taken in a capsule, pill or tablet form and is frequently taken in multiple amounts at one time, which is known as bumping or rolling. Many of the ecstasy pills are identified with a cartoon character. The number of adolescents using ecstasy has increased over the past few years and the typical age of users range from 15 to 35.
Effects of Ecstasy Abuse
Ecstasy typically is active in the system within 15 minutes of taking it and it usually stays in the system for as long as six hours. The full euphoric sensation is often experienced about 45 minutes after taking the dose. Adolescent drug detox in Los Angeles for the use of ecstasy is highly recommended if you suspect your child is using other drugs in combination with ecstasy. Ecstasy is frequently used in combination with prescription medications such as Xanax or Valium, which will sometimes help to decrease the hallucinations; however, it can also be a fatal combination.
Side Effects of Ecstasy
One of the most significant and dangerous effects from the short term abuse of ecstasy is dehydration. Ecstasy can interfere with your body’s natural thermostat, which prevents it from correctly cooling internally, causing the body to overheat. Dehydration can lead to hyperthermia, heart damage, kidney damage, seizures, heart attack and even death. Other side effects of ecstasy can include:
*Increased blood pressure
*Hyperactivity
*Nausea
*Chills and sweating
*Increased heart rate
*Enhanced sense of touch
*Dizziness
*Depression
*Anxiety and agitation
Ecstasy is especially harmful to adolescents because it may hinder the psychological and physical changes which typically occur between from the age of 12 to 20. Prolonged abuse of Ecstasy has also been shown to be a contributing factor in brain damage as many as seven years after the abuse was stopped. Although the type of damage caused by ecstasy typically repairs itself over time, there is frequently still consistent neuron damage. It is essential you seek an adolescent drug detox center for your teen as soon as you suspect the use of ecstasy or any other illicit drugs. If you’re looking for a reputable adolescent drug detox facility in the Los Angeles area, look no further than the qualified and compassionate professionals found at Adolescent Growth.
