How to Deal With Molly Addiction?
Molly addiction is becoming more prevalent, meaning it is important to know the signs and symptoms.
What is Molly?
Molly, also known as ecstasy or XTC, is slang for the synthetic drug methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA).1
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has concluded that Molly alters your mood and awareness of surrounding objects by creating a high like that you get from stimulants such as amphetamines. When one is high on Molly, they can experience hallucinations, euphoria, heightened alertness, and disinhibition. Molly is a popular party or rave drug.
You may find Molly recreationally by other names, such as baby slits, blue superman, dancing shoes, love potion, moon rock, and many, many others.
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Is Molly Addictive?
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes Molly as a Schedule I controlled drug, signifying that it is alleged to lack medicinal use and has an extremely high potential for addiction. The addictive nature of the molly drug makes users susceptible to developing dependence on Molly pills.2
A National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that more than eighteen million people in the United States have used ecstasy once in their lifetime.3
Symptoms of Molly Use
If you suspect that a loved one is using Molly, they might be exhibiting some of the following symptoms:
Risks of Using Molly
Many people think that since Molly is a party or rave drug, it doesn’t have any dangerous side effects. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When someone takes Molly, they may experience the high after fifteen minutes to half an hour, while snorting the drug gives the user a more intense high within a short time. The method one uses to consume Molly determines the risks they can encounter. Some of the risks include:
Effects of Molly on the Brain
Once one takes a Molly pill or capsule, it only takes about fifteen minutes for the drug to sip into the bloodstream and reach the brain. It goes through the bloodstream faster when one snorts or smokes the substance. Molly increases the activity of three neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.4
Serotonin
Molly increases the effects and actions of serotonin in the brain by creating feelings of euphoria, empathy, and increasing sociability. Serotonin controls mood, anger, sexual activity, sleep, and pain management.
The excess serotonin introduced by Molly to the central nervous system causes mood-lifting effects. The user may feel very alert or " hyper" at first and have an altered sense of time. The body may also release the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which induce feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust.
Dopamine
The excess dopamine in the brain released by Molly gives feelings of pleasure, euphoria, and increased energy as well. This euphoria often creates the desire to keep taking the drug again and again.
Norepinephrine
The neurotransmitter norepinephrine increases the body’s heart rate and blood pressure, which comes with painful Molly headaches. A Molly overdose could prove fatal if someone has prior cardiovascular or heart problems.
Short-Term Effects of a Molly High
You may feel high, alert, and super active while under the effects of Molly. These effects range from mild to life-threatening and can last a very long time, especially if the dosage is significant. Some of the short-term effects of Molly include:
Dangerous Side Effects of Molly
When you suspect that a loved one has overdosed on Molly, or have exposed themselves to vigorous activities or high temperatures during summer or on a crowded dance floor, the side effects of Molly may be more dangerous. Listed below are a few of the hazardous side effects of Molly:5
Dangers of a Molly Overdose
Drug dealers use unscrupulous methods to make more profit from drugs. Molly can be adulterated using other chemicals like bath salts or other synthetic powders that contain amphetamine-like chemicals. You may also worsen your situation by mixing Molly with other substances like alcohol, thus increasing the risk of suffering from an overdose. A Molly overdose can cause you to suffer from heat stroke, dangerous dehydration, or even heart damage.
Treating Molly Addiction At Boardwalk Recovery
At Boardwalk Recovery, our professional staff is equipped with programs and interventions to make you or your loved one’s recovery from Molly addiction more bearable. The following interventions and treatment methods are offered at Boardwalk Recovery.
Individual and Group Therapy
You may be involved in personal and group therapy sessions. During individual therapy, your therapist focuses on enhancing your motivation and assisting you in applying the particular skills you have learned to tackle challenges and events in your life. Group therapy involves peers who are experiencing some of the same issues discussing and learning skills that help them cope with the effects of withdrawal and also how to maintain sobriety.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
This mode of treatment will give you ready access to immediate help if you are highly dependent on Molly because of the risk of withdrawal. MAT is the first step towards ridding your body of Molly in a safe manner. If you or a loved one suddenly stop taking the drugs, you can suffer from life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Trauma Services
You may have started using Molly or other substances as a form of escape from a trauma you had suffered earlier on. CNN recently reported that Molly is being sold to and purchased by young first-time drug abusers between the ages of twelve and seventeen. In addition, heavy MDMA use over two years is associated with decreased cognitive function.5
Recent studies have found that between 50% and 96% of treatment-seeking substance users reported experiencing some major traumatic event in their lifetime. Up to 34% of patients in substance use treatment have both a substance use diagnosis and PTSD diagnosis simultaneously.6
12-Step Integration
The 12-step integration follows the steps that were first developed for Alcoholics Anonymous. They include honesty, hope, surrender, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, love, responsibility, discipline awareness, and service. 12 step programs are proven to help many populations recovering from some sort of substance abuse disorder.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on changing your negative thought patterns and behavior into healthy coping skills. It incorporates both inpatient and outpatient treatment modes. You will learn how to relate your thoughts, feelings, and behavior with how they might have contributed to or perpetuated your Molly drug abuse.
Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an evidence-based transdiagnostic and modular treatment, similar to CBT. It was initially designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) and those that show suicidal tendencies. DBT is used broadly and successfully in treating other mental health problems as well, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.
Nutritional Support
Even short-term addiction can affect the body negatively, as it is forced to work extra hard to eliminate toxic chemicals in Molly. Achieving nutritional balance is crucial if you want to recover fully and repair the damage that Molly has caused to your body.
Meditation and Mindfulness
You learn the skill of being mindful mainly through meditation, which is being fully aware and present at the moment without engaging in judgmental or negative ways of thinking or feeling. You learn to observe, describe and participate with consideration.
You also learn to pay attention to what is happening inside you, as this helps reduce negative mood states such as stress and anxiety by increasing your positive emotions, concentration, and self-control.
Community Support Groups
Community support groups are critical in helping you build interpersonal skills by interacting with others in a similar situation. The feedback you receive from the group and the therapist gives you a greater understanding of yourself besides gives you a sense of belonging.
