Ad Disclosure: Some of our MentalHelp.net recommendations, including BetterHelp, are also affiliates, and as such we may receive compensation from them if you choose to purchase products or services through the links provided
What is Ecstasy Rehab Aftercare?
Ecstasy is a commonly abused psychedelic drug with potent stimulant and mild hallucinogenic properties that can lead to addiction with prolonged use. Aftercare or continuing care is a way to prevent relapse to ecstasy abuse after treatment is complete.
Ecstasy is a commonly abused stimulant, which also goes by the name MDMA or "molly." It's commonly thought of as a social drug or "party drug," with a high prevalence of use at raves and amongst nightclub goers.
People who believe they are addicted to ecstasy may seek out treatment in order to seek relief from symptoms of ecstasy abuse and get clean. However, the risk of relapse may be a major concern for many. Continuing care, or aftercare, is one way of attempting to reduce the risk of relapse following detoxification or a rehab program.
If you or a loved have experienced problems with ecstasy abuse or other substance dependence and have questions about how a treatment program can help, call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers?.
However, relapse rates are high for most substance addictions, and avoiding relapse is a real concern for many people, post-rehab. Engaging in aftercare is one way to help avoid relapse.
Enrolling in a drug treatment program--which often includes a medically supervised detoxification process--can be an important step in getting clean for many people suffering from an addiction.
In general, drug addiction has a high rate of relapse - often more than 50 percent, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, although the specific rate of relapse for ecstasy is unclear due to limited research in the area.
However, given the high rates of relapse for addiction, in general, relapse prevention should be a key component of any treatment program.
Since ecstasy is largely a social drug, often used among groups of people, social pressures are thought to be a major factor in encouraging the use of the drug. Research has indicated that social support networks are an effective way of reducing relapse rates for other types of substance addiction, so further research into its effectiveness with ecstasy users is warranted. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also broadly suggests behavioral therapy for a drug-free recovery from ecstasy. This could take any of several forms, including cognitive behavioral therapy or contingency management. Educational programs, particularly among high schools and colleges, are also thought to be key in preventing youths from taking up the drug in the first place, and may be helpful to recovering users as well. Currently, there are no FDA-approved pharmacological interventions for the treatment of an ecstasy addiction. This means that any prevention techniques must be social, behavioral, or otherwise involve counseling or therapy. Motivational enhancement therapy was found to be mildly effective in reducing ecstasy use in depressed patients. One reason may be that depression or disordered mood is a primary reason for initiating ecstasy abuse and tackling depression directly may increase motivation to stop using ecstasy.
Social Aspect:
Behavioral Aspect:
Psychosocial aspect:
For people who are truly addicted to a drug, their dependence is an ongoing condition comparable to any other chronic illness. And relapse, unfortunately, is a common trend with many chronic conditions.
Therefore, individuals in recovery from addiction should be advised that relapse is a common outcome. However, avoiding relapse is ideal; treatment programs should focus on giving patients the resources they need to undergo a healthy, drug-free recovery.
Individuals in recovery will find that there are a variety of programs, therapies, and interventions available to help manage addiction. These continuing care options may include counseling, therapy, community living, support groups, and even medications designed to reduce cravings.
While scientific evidence on the effectiveness of different types of continuing care for ecstasy is limited, it's likely that counseling and group therapy are among the best choices. This is because of the social nature of ecstasy, which is often taken among groups of people at clubs and parties.
CBT has been effective at mitigating the impact of depression, by helping individuals develop positive thought patterns and behaviors. It may prove effective in the depressed subset of ecstasy dependent individuals. Group therapy sessions can also reinforce many of the same strategies in a group setting, while also providing a sense of social support. Some group therapy sessions may also involve family and friends.
Studies have found that ecstasy users, particularly adolescents, have high rates of depression, impulsiveness and sleep disturbances.
In general, individual therapy sessions are generally designed to build confidence, promote healthy decision-making, and provide patients with strategies to deal with high-pressure situations and their own cravings.
The 12-step treatment is a popular philosophy toward addiction. It outlines a series of 12 steps designed to help participants recognize their condition and learn to manage it. The steps are intended to help participants:
The 12-step program was made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous and is also commonly used in other group-oriented organizations, such as Narcotics Anonymous.
Talking to an addiction expert or sitting in on a meeting may help you decide if a 12-step program is likely to be helpful for you, or if a different philosophy on addiction would be more suitable. For more information, please call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today.
Some types of substance addictions are commonly treated with medications. Methadone maintenance, for example, has been shown to be effective at preventing relapse among people recovering from an addiction to opioids, such as heroin.
Unfortunately, there are currently no known effective pharmacological therapies for the treatment of an ecstasy addiction.
Follow-up medical care is a necessity to ensure that the body is functioning normally after abstinence.
Therapeutic communities or sober living houses are one way for people to gradually transition back into their daily lives following a treatment program. These communities are generally designed for patients who are leaving a rehabilitation center or inpatient treatment program.
Studies have suggested that contingency management can be effective for other forms of substance addiction, although there's a lack of research on its effectiveness with ecstasy users.
Contingency management is a treatment approach that rewards "good behavior" in patients--usually abstinence--with items such as vouchers or prizes.
Family and friends can play critical roles in the continuing care of their loved ones who are suffering from addiction, as research has shown that access to strong social support networks can help lower the risk of relapse.
There are several ways family members and friends can learn to better cope with their loved one's addiction while providing strong support.