A DRUG OF ABUSE

A Drug of Abuse (Ecstasy)

A Drug of Abuse (Ecstasy)

Ecstasy is a drug that helps speed up the functions of the central nervous system; it is classified as a stimulant. It is also able to cause hallucinations so it is classified as a hallucinogen. Another class it is known, as is a designer drug.(Eisner, 1994)

Ecstasy can be used in many different ways. The most common way to take Ecstasy is as a capsule or through a pill. This pill is in many different colors and sizes to make it look more appealing for people to use. They make it look like it is full of life and energy. Ecstasy is also found in a powder form, snorted or even injected. It takes affect simultaneously and causes many different types of effects.(Eisner, 1994)

MethyleneDioxyMethAmphetamine (MDMA) is the technical name used by scientist for Ecstasy. Ecstasy also has a couple of different street names. Street names are named according to the time, place, and manufacturer. The names used for ecstasy are wonder drug, XTC, and Adam. A different kind of Ecstasy is herbal ecstasy, which is known as X, Ultimate Xphoria, Cloud 9 and Rave Energy.(Holland, 2001)

The effects of Ecstasy can start after 20 minutes of its use and can last for about four to six hours. People who use the drug say that it produces profoundly positive feelings, empathy for others, elimination of anxiety, and extreme relaxation. Ecstasy is also said to suppress the need to eat, drink, or sleep, enabling users to endure two- to three-day parties. Consequently, MDMA use sometimes results in severe dehydration or exhaustion.

The immediate effects of Ecstasy are feelings of detachment, loss of hunger, sleep, sexual ability, increase muscle attention, blurred vision, rapid eye movements, sweating, chills, insomnia, tremors, hypertension, increase in heart rate, decrease ...