Ecstasy and MDMA Detox and Addiction Treatment

The time it takes to withdraw from ecstasy/MDMA may vary from person to person. It takes about one hour for ecstasy/MDMA, generally consumed as a tablet or capsule, to take effect (1). From there, it takes between four and six hours for the effects to start wearing off (1). Two to five days after using ecstasy/MDMA, many people experience the “mid-week blues” (4). Some of the negative effects of ecstasy/MDMA that happen during a “bad trip”, like paranoia, delusions, and psychotic symptoms, can last a week or longer (3).

Withdrawing from this drug can be an emotionally, physically, and psychologically difficult experience. The withdrawal timeline could vary depending on your ecstasy/MDMA tolerance and how much you last used (1).

Neworld Medical Detox supports you throughout your withdrawal. When you stay at our facility in Halton Hills near Toronto, we provide you with a home-like setting and do our best to keep you comfortable during your stay.

Enrolling in a medically supervised detox program at Neworld is the safest way to withdraw from ecstasy/MDMA, away from the triggers and temptations at home. Our care teams ensure you’re comfortable during your stay, which reduces the chance of relapse. Medications to help with withdrawal symptoms can be provided, and our care teams can intervene quickly in the event of any health complications. Once you complete detox, we can refer you to the Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centre, where our shared care teams provide you with the help you need to control your ecstasy/MDMA use.

Better Control of Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms

Our qualified medical detox experts are in a better position to help you manage cravings and the other psychological and physical symptoms of withdrawal. Because ecstasy/MDMA is not a part of your environment at our inpatient facility, you cannot give in to those cravings.

Lower Risk of Relapse

Under the close supervision and care of qualified medical detox experts, the risks of an ecstasy/MDMA relapse are much lower. This improves your ability to get sober long-term.

Expert, Judgment-Free Supervision

When you opt into professional ecstasy/MDMA detox treatment, you get access to a team of empathetic, highly qualified care professionals that truly care about patient outcomes and want to offer you the best possible treatment.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Neworld tailors its medically-supervised detox programs to the patient’s needs. We understand that addiction is different for everyone. This personalized approach ensures that you get the right treatment that minimizes your likelihood of relapse and addresses your specific needs.

Comfort in a Home-Like Setting

Withdrawing from ecstasy/MDMA can be an uncomfortable experience. At our home-like facility, you benefit from the comforts of a home-like environment while also receiving 24/7 support to help you deal with the negative side effects of ecstasy/MDMA withdrawal.

Physical and Psychological Safety

The care team behind Neworld’s medically supervised detox services have years of experience supporting patients physically and psychologically as they withdraw from substances. Your safety is our utmost priority. Neworld also abides by a medical mental health model—we understand that your mental health is as important as your physical health and integrate mental health support into our treatment plans.

Referrals for Further Addiction Treatment

Medical detox is the first step in treating MDMA use disorder. We do not recommend undergoing medical detox unless you plan to enroll in addiction treatment afterwards. We are just 15 minutes away from our excellent sister facility, Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centre, where our shared teams provide individual and group counselling and therapy to help you in your recovery journey.

Because ecstasy/MDMA is a drug that affects a person’s brain chemistry, people who use ecstasy are prone to experiencing mental health issues (1). In 2012, researchers at Université de Montreal’s (UDEM) School of Psychology tracked the mental health of 3,880 secondary school children living in disadvantaged parts of Quebec between 2003 and 2008. They found that teenagers who take ecstasy/MDMA are much more likely to suffer from depression (5).

People with pre-existing mental disorders may be more prone to the negative effects of ecstasy/MDMA (1). Ecstasy/MDMA can produce hallucinations or delirium, panic attacks, and persistent paranoia (3).

We understand that mental health plays a big role in addiction. Neworld Medical Detox’s care team evaluates for concurrent disorders, such as MDMA use disorder and anxiety disorder, in an empathetic, effective way.

Don’t let MDMA use disorder control your life—our team at Neworld Medical Detox can help. Our care professionals help those dealing with ecstasy/MDMA addiction detox safely and start their path to long-term recovery.

Neworld provides individualized care and treatments customized to each patient’s needs. After successful detox, we refer our patients to our sister inpatient addiction treatment centre, Trafalgar, to give them the best chances of achieving lasting sobriety.

Our goal is to ensure positive patient outcomes while minimizing discomfort during the withdrawal process. Contact us today for more information on how to get started with our comprehensive ecstasy/MDMA detox program.

What are MDMA’s Common Street Names?

Other names for MDMA include (1):

• Ecstasy
• Molly
• XTC
• E
• X

Is Detoxing from Ecstasy/MDMA Safe?

Yes, detoxing from ecstasy/MDMA is safe under the watch of medical professionals who are trained to support patients physically and mentally during ecstasy/MDMA withdrawal.

What are the Side Effects of Ecstasy/MDMA?

Ecstasy use can result in physical, psychological, and behavioural changes. While its pleasurable effects include increased confidence and energy, friendliness and sociability with others, and euphoria, the drug can produce many negative effects, including (1):

• Loss of appetite
• Paranoia and delirium
• Hallucinations
• Changes in sensory perception
• Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
• Seizures or convulsions
• Sweating
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Dehydration

What are the Health Risks of Ecstasy/MDMA?

Long-term or repeated ecstasy/MDMA use can lead to kidney or liver damage, reduced interest in sex, memory problems, reduced appetite and weight loss, chronic exhaustion, and even damaged brain cells (3). Ecstasy/MDMA can also cause jaundice, attention deficits, and insomnia (2). Overdosing on ecstasy/MDMA can be fatal. Signs you have ingested dangerous amounts of ecstasy/MDMA include (4):

• High body temperature (hyperthermia)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Excessive thirst and intense sweating
• Altered mental state
• Seizure and convulsions
• Increased heart rate

If unchecked, ecstasy/MDMA use can lead to death and heart, kidney, and liver failure. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

How Dangerous is Ecstasy/MDMA Compared to Other Drugs?

Studies suggest that ecstasy/MDMA is comparatively less risky than drugs like opioids and cocaine, where the chances of fatal overdose are higher. That does not mean that ecstasy/MDMA is safe to use. It can cause lasting damage to your brain and fatal overdose when consumed in excess, taken with other drugs, or when consumed by a person with pre-existing heart, kidney, or liver conditions (1).

Is Ecstasy and 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine the Same Thing?

Yes. Ecstasy is a street name for 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

Information on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not replace personalized medical advice. You should never make any decisions about your health without consulting a healthcare professional, especially when related to substance use or mental health. To speak to a qualified member of our team for personalized advice, you can contact us here.

Sources:

1. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

2. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

3. Government of Canada (MDMA)

4. National Library of Medicine – 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): current perspectives

5. National Library of Medicine – Prospective associations between meth/amphetamine (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy) use and depressive symptoms in secondary school students