Drug dependence ecstasy

Schifano F, Di Furia L, Forza G, Minicuci N and Bricolo R (1998). MDMA ( ecstasy ) consumption in the context of polydrug abuse A report on 150 patients. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 52, 85-90. 

Topp L, Hando J, Dillon P, Roche A and Solowij N (1999). Ecstasy use in Australia Patterns of use and associated harm. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 55, 105-115. 

Many rumors exist among teenagers regarding the addictive properties of MDMA. In fact, it is quite common for people to believe that Ecstasy is not addictive, a rumor that is perhaps perpetuated by dealers looking to sell Ecstasy. A distinction needs to be made between drugs that cause physical dependence and those that are addictive. Dependence is characterized... 

Ecstasy is toxic to the body, and the extent to which a person is affected depends on many factors, including the body chemistry of the user, the dose consumed, additional drugs also consumed, and the chemical composition and quantity of the drug or drugs taken as ecstasy. 

In addition, other drugs that do not act as primary hallucinogens, such as methylene-dioxyamphetamine derivatives (e.g., 3,4-dimethylene-dioxymethamphetamine, Ecstasy ) and cocaine pose a health risk. The acute intoxication is associated with a misperception of reality, a period of exhaustion follows. After prolonged use, dependence develops associated with intellectual degradation and physical decay. Withdrawal therapy is very dif cult. Marihuana frequently serves as an entry-level recreational substance for hard drugs. 

S. D. Ferrara. Dose-dependent Absorption and Elimination of Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid in Healthy Volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 45 (1993) 353-356 Tellier, P. P. Club Drugs Is It All Ecstasy Pediatric Annals 31 (9) (2002) 550-556. 

Patterns of problem drug use — often characterised as addiction, especially to heroin — are changing across the EU. In addition to heroin dependence, problem use of cocaine (often with alcohol), multiple use of drugs such as amphetamines, ecstasy and medicines, and heavy cannabis use are emerging. 

In an interview study (Robson and Bruce 1997), the dependence potential of various street drugs was assessed in 201 problem and 380 social users of heroin, cocaine or amphetamine using the well-validated Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Scores (maximum = 15) in the problem group were 12.9 for heroin, 9.6 for other opioids, 6.1 for amphetamine and 5.5 for crack cocaine. All of these scores were consistent with findings in other studies. Cannabis SDS score was 2.6 and comparable with those of LSD (3.1) and ecstasy (1.3), two drugs that are generally not associated with physical or psychological dependence. In the parallel sample of social users, the cannabis SDS was similar at 3.4. 

Boot B, McGregor IS and HaU WA (2000). MDMA ("Ecstasy") neurotoxicity assessing and communicating the risks. Lancet 355,1818-1821. Butler GKL and Montgomerg AMJ (2004). Impulsivity risk taking and recreational ecstasy (MDMA) use. Drug and Alcohol Dependency 76, 55-62. 

Most scientists agree that Ecstasy is not physically addictive. But users still can become dependent on the drug. Many drug treatment and rehabilitation centers have reported an increase in the number of patients seeking help in dealing with a psychological need for Ecstasy. 

In recent times, no other group of substances has featured more frequently or more intensively in the media than the amphetamines, the so-called designer drug ecstasy being in the forefront of these reports. A common feature of these substances is their stimulation of the central nervous system, which depends on the release of catecholamines. Therapeutically, substances of this group are used as appetite suppressants, antihypotonics and psychoanaleptics. They can be divided into five groups ... 

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