Importance of Spotting Teen Ecstasy Use



Parents should be aware of the symptoms of ecstasy or molly (MDMA) use to prevent drug addiction in teens, especially in cities identified as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas like Houston, TX.

Nina Fenton
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Parents need to be aware of and spot teen drug use of ecstasy so that they can prevent their children from becoming addicted to the substance.

Ecstasy, one of the most popular club drugs, is often used by teens and young adults during weekend-long dance parties or raves. The music is pounding with the bass drops hypnotizing the crowd has sweaty bodies are jammed into a crowded dance hall. The dancing doesn’t stop nor does the euphoria waiver until the music winds down and the light turn on. This is a glimpse into the world of ecstasy that is quickly tantalizing teenagers with its false promises of a feel good existence.

If you haven’t considered the possibility of your teens and drugs being used in the same sentence, you probably will after reading these quick stats about ecstasy usage:

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A 2013 report from the National Institute found that 7.1% of high school seniors have admitted to using ecstasy at least once.
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55% of MDMA users report using the drug as a result of peer pressure.
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90% of ecstasy users have admitted to using other types of drugs.

What is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy is fast becoming one of the most popular synthetic drugs used by teenagers. These little pills sought out for their ability to make the users feel a sense of euphoria and energy, which can largely be attributed to its amphetamine-like properties. It’s effects often drive users to extreme heights as they attempt to make the most out of their altered mental and physical states.

The chemical name for Ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA. However, this drug in particular has more than a handful of catchy nicknames to be aware of in order to effectively spot its use among teens. Here are some of the other names ecstasy is known to go by:

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Molly
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E
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XTC
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X
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Adam
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Beans
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Love Drug
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Scooby Snacks
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Disco Biscuits

What Does it Look Like?

As you can see, ecstasy is known by quite a few different names, which can make it rather difficult to determine if someone you know is using it. Adding another layer of difficulty to the MDMA puzzle are the many different shapes, colors, sizes and forms it can come in. No two doses of ecstasy are exactly the same, which makes it incredibly difficult to determine the quality nor the purity one would ingest.

The vast majority of MDMA is swallowed in tablet form. These little tablets are known to come in bright colors and may be found in circle, oval, square and triangular form. Most doses of ecstasy are also known to have unique logos, images and symbols stamped into each tablet. Some common stamps are: hearts, dollar signs, happy faces, automobile logos, Playboy bunnies and even words.

How is it Used?

This drug is most often ingested in pill or tablet form, which users simply swallow and wait for the euphoria to settle into their very beings. However, it is important to note that ecstasy may also come in powder and liquid form. These alternative forms of the drug enable teens to take their usage to another level as it becomes easier to smoke, snort and even inject.

Just as it has a variety of names and appearances, the actual act of ingesting ecstasy has its own very specific set of slang terms used when teenagers are attempting to pull one over on adults who may be in ear shot when talk of using ecstasy comes up. It’s just as crucial to know these slang terms when trying to spot drug use, so keep an ear out for these terms:

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Double Drop
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Thizzing
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Flipping
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Rolling
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Raving
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Cuddle Puddle

Effects of Ecstasy Use Among Teens

This drug may make the user feel full of life, love and energy, but the reality of what it does to the body are far from pleasant. The extreme effects felt by those using ecstasy makes it important for concerned parents to monitor their children for substance abuse and take proactive steps to obtain treatment if their children have used drugs such as ecstasy. As a parent you should watch your teen for signs of ecstasy use such as:

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Adverse physiological effects: Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, clenched teeth/jaw, muscle spasms/cramps, extreme fatigue and loss of appetite.
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Adverse psychological effects: Irritability, depression, euphoria, paranoia, depression, hallucinations, psychosis, suicidal tendencies, hopelessness, insomnia and memory loss.
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Increased body temperatures: Hyperthermia is commonly seen when ecstasy is ingested and results in the users’ body temperature increasing to potentially dangerous levels. The rise in temperature can have adverse effects on the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular systems, which can cause organs to shut down and even death.
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Water intoxication: Also known as hyponatremia, which occurs when the amount of sodium present in the user’s blood is too low due to too much water being consumed. The body is then depleted of the necessary electrolytes needed to function properly and the cells tend to swell, causing serious issues that may even be fatal.

It’s super important to keep these signs of ecstasy use in mind and be on the lookout for any that your teen may be exhibiting, especially after a weekend away from home. If you do happen to notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea consider registering for a test at our.

Ecstasy Usage in HIDTA’s like Houston, TX

Many cities in the United States have been hit particularly hard by ecstasy use in teenagers, but one of particular note is Houston. This city happens to be listed as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which means that larger amounts of MDMA are being moved throughout the area as it is shuttled into other parts of the state and country.

Increased amounts of the drug have many parents in a state of hyper vigilance and seeking ways to confirm if their teenagers are indeed using ecstasy. One option is to shedule a test at one of the Health Street drug testing and DNA testing – Houston, TX. You can easily register for an ecstasy drug test at a physical location, online or over the phone. The following are some of the tests that include a screen for MDMA:

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Ideally, parents in Houston or anywhere else in the USA who suspect that their child might have indulged in the drug use should get a test done within a few days of their child attending a rave party or weekend long dance session. There are two types of tests that can be conducted to determine drug use: urine drug tests and hair drug tests.

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Urine drug tests are quick and easy to conduct and only require a fresh urine sample in order to find out the answers to your drug usage question.
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Hair drug tests are often conducted as a way to look further into the test subject’s prior drug use. All it takes is a snippet of hair from close to the root and you’ll be able to get a sneak peek into what your teen has been up to.

These tests are possible thanks to the speed at which the drug ingested enters the users blood stream and because when a person ingests a drug it enters their blood stream. The drug’s metabolites then make their way through various body systems. From here the metabolized drug becomes part of the urine, which will be expelled eventually depending on a variety of conditions. However, the trace amounts ecstasy remains in the hair for the long hail.

WRITTEN BY

Nina works hard to be a voice to the voiceless whose stories about drug testing, DNA testing and paternity deserve to be told. It is her goal to always come from a place free of judgment and full of compassion.

WRITTEN BY

Nina works hard to be a voice to the voiceless whose stories about drug testing, DNA testing and paternity deserve to be told. It is her goal to always come from a place free of judgment and full of compassion.

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