Teens are known to be the biggest users or rather abusers of the infamous drug Ecstasy according to a leading teen treatment center in Seattle. It is an illegal drug that mimes the effects of stimulants and hallucinogens. The scientific term for Ecstasy is MDMA" or methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It is a common drug used in rave parties and trance nights where a lot of teenage people and folks in their 20s get together, dance and take shots of this drug to feel the high No wonder, this drug is called the 'club drug.'
Ecstasy is supposed to be a date rape drug because on taking this drug, a person, especially the member of the female sex, tends to become disarmed and becomes sexually promiscuous with the person who is talking to her. So much has been the abuse of the drug that it is not just used in parties and trances but also in other secluded settings like homes where some teens have their own private get together. Teens are more or less ignorant about the drug; they think that using this medicine can seduce the person but it can have serious side effects on a teen's mind and body, leading to death as well.
3 percent of teens have actually used Ecstasy by the time they finish eighth grade. By the end of tenth grade, this number jumps from 7 to 9 percent. A good thing to note is that in the past few years, people in their early 20s as well as late teens have stopped using the drug because they have become educated about the ill-effects of the drug. However in the early teens, it is still rampant.
Ecstasy is known by various nick names like Beans, Lover's Speed, Hug, X, E, XTC, Clarity and the predictable Love Drug. This is actually a manufactured drug and the potency of chemicals can differ. Since a lot of spurious agencies manufacture it, they can also put things like poisons, chemicals and other drugs to form a lethal, life-threatening combination. People usually consume this drug orally or in the form of a pill which has a cartoon image or bright color to attract teens.
When a teen takes Ecstasy, the drug hits the brain in less than 20 minutes and the pleasurable sensation lasts for 3 to 6 hours. During this phase, the person may experience 'funny' sensations and heightened sensitivity and time distortion. Some teens have also been reported to feel sweaty, dizzy or experience chills. By the time the effect wears off, the teen feels depression and worried, this feeling can even last for about a week after using the drug. If the teen comes to know that she has indulged in a sexual activity against her wishes, she may even have the guilt feeling and the mental stigma for years, to the point that she can even take her own life feeling guilty about it. Though multiple doses can harm the body and brain severely, it has been noticed that even a single dose can have long-term effects.
Teen treatment centers who have been treating Ecstasy victims have stated that parents should keep a watchful eye on their kids partying habits and discourage them from attending night clubs or parties that can be 'raves' in nature. You can assume that the teen is probably using Ecstasy by the way she gets mood swings, has slow or slurred speech, inability to focus or concentrating, declining grades and clenching jaw or grinding teeth.
If a heart to heart talk with the kid fails, you may believe that your teen is getting addicted and no amount of reprimanding will help her. So the best thing to do in such a case is take the person to a teen rehab center where she can be treated comprehensively. The doctor will check for organ damage, underlying conditions, give the best medication to stop cravings and even counsel her against any form of drug or alcohol addiction. There have been many teens that have been able to live a drug-free life due to teen treatment centers.
Find more information on Teenage Rehab Facilities. Helpful and informative information on Adolescent Recovery Programs is available.
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