Ecstasy Statistics: Based on a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Monitoring the Future and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS), it appears overall usage of Ecstasy had declined from 2003 to 2005.
Percentage of Students Who Had Tried Ecstasy at Least Once:
2003-
8th grade 3.2
9th grade 10.9
10th grade 9.0
11th grade 11.4
12th grade 12.8
2005-
8th grade 2.8
9th grade 5.8
10th grade 4.0
11th grade 6.5
12th grade 5.4
However, since then the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)has reported that in 2006, within one month of the survey, an estimated 528,000 people in the United States age 12 or older used MDMA (Ecstasy). Lifetime use increased with individuals aged 12 years or older, from 4.3 percent in 2002 to 5.0 percent in 2006; but, those who used ecstasy in the past-year decreased from 1.3 percent to 0.9% during the same 5-year period. Approximately 615,000 first-time ecstasy users were reported in 2005. Just one year later that number increased to 860,000, which is a significant increase. About 70 percent of these new users were 18 or older. The average age for people between 12 and 49 years old, at initiation within the past year, in 2006 was 20.6 years.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
History of Ecstasy
History of Ecstasy
The pharmaceutical name for ecstasy is MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which is a synthetic psychoactive drug. It is very similar chemically to methamphetamine and mescaline. MDMA is also referred to on on the street as ecstasy, Adam, XTC, hug, beans, and love drug.
Ecstasy is one of several drugs known as “club drugs” because they are frequently used by teens and young adults in the nightlife scene. It's popularity is due to its ability to create a euphoric state, reduce inhibitions, and create feelings of closeness and empathy. In 2005, it was the club drug most commonly abused, even more so than Rohypnol, GHB, and/or ketamine.
Ecstasy is typically sold in tablet form, these tablets often contain other substances, such as methamphetamine, ketamine, caffeine, and amphetamine.
It was believed that ecstasy was created as a "designer drug" - which is a drug that is made to be similar to an illegal drug that avoids anti-drug laws. An article published in July 2006 in Addiction states this is not true.
A paper called “The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited", states the true story is that MDMA was first synthesized at Merch in 1912, and was developed as a drug to help control bleeding. It was not tested pharmacologically, and it was called Methylsafrylamin. It was eventually studied on its own in 1927 and 1959, but not tested in humans.
In 1967, Dr. Alexander Shulgin resynthesized MDMA. Dr. Shulgin is know for inventing “80% of the world’s known hallucinogenic drugs”. He had heard it was considered a stimulant but didn’t have the same effects as one. During testing, he discovered its power to lower inhibition, and thought it could be useful in psychotherapy, he then distributed samples to psychologists. It was used legally for a while in the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) among other things. Once the dangers and side effects of this drug started to be manifested they discontinued the use of the drug. MDMA was made illegal in 1985.
The pharmaceutical name for ecstasy is MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which is a synthetic psychoactive drug. It is very similar chemically to methamphetamine and mescaline. MDMA is also referred to on on the street as ecstasy, Adam, XTC, hug, beans, and love drug.
Ecstasy is one of several drugs known as “club drugs” because they are frequently used by teens and young adults in the nightlife scene. It's popularity is due to its ability to create a euphoric state, reduce inhibitions, and create feelings of closeness and empathy. In 2005, it was the club drug most commonly abused, even more so than Rohypnol, GHB, and/or ketamine.
Ecstasy is typically sold in tablet form, these tablets often contain other substances, such as methamphetamine, ketamine, caffeine, and amphetamine.
It was believed that ecstasy was created as a "designer drug" - which is a drug that is made to be similar to an illegal drug that avoids anti-drug laws. An article published in July 2006 in Addiction states this is not true.
A paper called “The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited", states the true story is that MDMA was first synthesized at Merch in 1912, and was developed as a drug to help control bleeding. It was not tested pharmacologically, and it was called Methylsafrylamin. It was eventually studied on its own in 1927 and 1959, but not tested in humans.
In 1967, Dr. Alexander Shulgin resynthesized MDMA. Dr. Shulgin is know for inventing “80% of the world’s known hallucinogenic drugs”. He had heard it was considered a stimulant but didn’t have the same effects as one. During testing, he discovered its power to lower inhibition, and thought it could be useful in psychotherapy, he then distributed samples to psychologists. It was used legally for a while in the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) among other things. Once the dangers and side effects of this drug started to be manifested they discontinued the use of the drug. MDMA was made illegal in 1985.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Teen Drug Treatment
Should drug treatment for teens be any different than drug treatment for anyone else? I would say no, and yes. Some aspects of treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse are the same for teens as they are adults. Teens will need the same help to get through physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms, support of peers, and counselling. The biggest difference between an adult in a drug rehab and a teen in drug rehab is usually a personal desire to change.
Many adults have been carrying the weight of their addiction and paying many different prices for their addiction for a very long time. They typically have finally decided to seek help either on their own or by encouragement from loved ones. Many teens on the other hand are not at the same stage of maturity in wanting to fight their addictions. Many are court ordered to rehab because of continuous problems with the law. Many teens are also placed in drug rehabs against their will by family members who can see what addiction is doing to the teen. Placing an adult against there will is not an option, but in most states it is legal to have a child admitted to a rehabilitation facility without his/her consent. Naturally, many of these teens become angry and rebellious and just do what they have to do to serve their time and get out. Hopefully, even these teens get enough information, support, education, and tools that they will not go back to doing the same stuff when they get out.
If you are a parent seeking treatment for your teen you must realize there is no quick fix to drug abuse and/or alcohol addiction. Some teens will be able to fight their addiction within a few months, some a few years, while others may struggle with it their entire lives. The important thing is getting them help, and finding them that is best suited for him/her.
There are many drug treatment facilities that specialize in teen drug treatment, while other adult facilities may have a someone who specializes in teen drug abuse. There is also non-residential treatment including group and/or individual counseling or therapy. These can also help provide medications, monitoring, and provide support for their sobriety. Some teens may need only one of these options while some may need all of them. You may even wish to get them some one-on-one counselling prior to placing them in a treatment program.
When looking for treatment for your teen seek advice from your teens doctor, school counselor, or church leaders who know your child and the situation. These people should have information on what is available in your area and be able to guide you to find resources for recovery. Be sure to find out all you can about the treatment programs you are considering and find out that best suites you, your teen, and your family. Please note there are also family therapy programs that can help the family heal along with the addict. There is often times many underlying issues going on within the family besides the teens behavior and it is important that family members come together to resolve these issues, support the addict in their sobriety, and are able to heal along with the addict.
Finally, a word of caution. Sometimes teens leave these troubled teen programs and are even more excited about trying other drugs. Why? Because they are with other teens addicts who teach them more about other drugs. Sometimes even giving them more connections to their drug world than they had before. Some studies argue it is better for teens to have one-on-one therapy instead of group settings. Some treatment centers focus on how out-of-control teens are when in fact, the teen feels like they are in control.
And remember, it won’t be a quick fix, but with diligence, your teen can be drug and alcohol free again.
Many adults have been carrying the weight of their addiction and paying many different prices for their addiction for a very long time. They typically have finally decided to seek help either on their own or by encouragement from loved ones. Many teens on the other hand are not at the same stage of maturity in wanting to fight their addictions. Many are court ordered to rehab because of continuous problems with the law. Many teens are also placed in drug rehabs against their will by family members who can see what addiction is doing to the teen. Placing an adult against there will is not an option, but in most states it is legal to have a child admitted to a rehabilitation facility without his/her consent. Naturally, many of these teens become angry and rebellious and just do what they have to do to serve their time and get out. Hopefully, even these teens get enough information, support, education, and tools that they will not go back to doing the same stuff when they get out.
If you are a parent seeking treatment for your teen you must realize there is no quick fix to drug abuse and/or alcohol addiction. Some teens will be able to fight their addiction within a few months, some a few years, while others may struggle with it their entire lives. The important thing is getting them help, and finding them that is best suited for him/her.
There are many drug treatment facilities that specialize in teen drug treatment, while other adult facilities may have a someone who specializes in teen drug abuse. There is also non-residential treatment including group and/or individual counseling or therapy. These can also help provide medications, monitoring, and provide support for their sobriety. Some teens may need only one of these options while some may need all of them. You may even wish to get them some one-on-one counselling prior to placing them in a treatment program.
When looking for treatment for your teen seek advice from your teens doctor, school counselor, or church leaders who know your child and the situation. These people should have information on what is available in your area and be able to guide you to find resources for recovery. Be sure to find out all you can about the treatment programs you are considering and find out that best suites you, your teen, and your family. Please note there are also family therapy programs that can help the family heal along with the addict. There is often times many underlying issues going on within the family besides the teens behavior and it is important that family members come together to resolve these issues, support the addict in their sobriety, and are able to heal along with the addict.
Finally, a word of caution. Sometimes teens leave these troubled teen programs and are even more excited about trying other drugs. Why? Because they are with other teens addicts who teach them more about other drugs. Sometimes even giving them more connections to their drug world than they had before. Some studies argue it is better for teens to have one-on-one therapy instead of group settings. Some treatment centers focus on how out-of-control teens are when in fact, the teen feels like they are in control.
And remember, it won’t be a quick fix, but with diligence, your teen can be drug and alcohol free again.
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