Ecstasy is currently the new recreational drug used illegally in this country. Laws have been passed recently to limit its use. However this hasn’t worked since its use is still rampant among the vulnerable young. There have been increasing police reports of its use.
The true prevalence of its use is still not known. This is because very few have come forward for help. They are unaware of the dangerous side effects of the drug and the fact that doctors can help them get out of their habit.
There is public ignorance of the danger of this drug to life and health. Doctors should speak out. They should help to deter its increasing use and abuse. Doctors should be able to identify early those experimenting with the drug. Then these abusers cannot prolong their habit, thus subjecting themselves to increased risk of complications.
Ecstasy is a stimulant as well as hallucinogen. It was first synthesized in 1941 and was originally meant to be used as an appetite suppressant. Its use was abandoned when it was found to be ineffective. The illicit use of this drug only began around 1970 when it was found to be able to alter the state of consciousness with emotional and sensual feelings.
It was only in 1985 that many health professionals became concerned about its recreational use. This was due to serious side effects on the nervous system. Among other things, ecstasy can cause degeneration of the nervous system. The pattern of ecstasy use can occur in two settings: (a) in small social gatherings (b) in large organized settings (called ’Rave’)
When used in either small groups or alone, the dose is smaller. Its use is generally restricted to weekends and rarely used on a daily basis. Those usually involved are male, 15 to 35 years of age.
Ecstasy is also used in large organized settings called ravings. This occur in large dance halls like discotheques and dance clubs. This would involve all-night dancing to high tech music, computerized videos, and laser lighting. In this kind of setting, ecstasy is usually taken with amino-acid laced beverages, called ‘smart drinks’. The amount of ecstasy drug consumed are usually unlimited and excessive.
Individual experiences following the use of ecstasy depend on the amount and duration of use. With smaller doses, the immediate effects include euphoria, increased physical and emotional energy. There is also heightened sensual awareness and decreased appetite. It is usually followed by the inability to open the mouth and an unstable gait.
For those who take higher doses, the acute effects include increased sensation of closeness, intermittent panic attacks, fatigue, jaw clenching. There is also nausea, transient movement disturbances and anxiety symptoms. There may also be altered time perception, increased talkativeness, decreased fear and increased awareness of emotions.
Dependence on ecstasy is rare. However, there are some who need increasingly higher doses to achieve the same reinforcing psychology and physical effects. The medical complications of ecstasy include those of the heart. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly or to stop beating. There may also be strokes and heat failure. Ecstasy can also cause degeneration of the muscles, abnormal bleeding and acute kidney failure. It is also poisonous to the liver.
Ecstasy can also cause immediate psychological complications. It can produce flashbacks, depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks and feelings of persecution.
These side effects may become permanent even after the use of ecstasy has stopped.
However, not all who use ecstasy will develop the psychological complications. It may be that these who do develop the symptoms already had pre-existing psychological problems.
Many drug users are reluctant to come forward to admit their habit and seek help. This is because society still views drug takers as wrong doers rather than people who need help. Therefore, there is a lot of concealment and denial by drug users. They only come too late because the complications may have become too serious and irreversible.
Hence, the only way to identify ecstasy users early is through education, a non judgmental attitude and a high index of suspicion of drug users. This will enable counseling to be carried out to avoid further tragedies.
First aid for acute ecstasy toxicity include using ice packs to reduce the body temperature and sedation. Let’s join hands to fight this drug menace in our society so that our young and our nation will have a better future.
No comments:
Post a Comment