While the dangerous and addictive properties of narcotics like opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine are all fairly well-known, there is another drug that does not get as much attention, even though it should. The club drug known as “molly” may sound cute, but it can be fatal even to first-time users.
What is Molly?
While it has a reputation on the club scene as being a harmless high, molly can be just as dangerous and addictive as any of the more established narcotics. It is a psychoactive, stimulant substance that creates a pleasurable experience by overloading activity of three essential chemicals in the brain; dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These chemicals control essential functions including energy level, blood pressure, appetite, sleep, and sexual arousal. Within about six hours after use, users can experience a crash of all these autonomic functions.
The draw to molly is that it provides a euphoric, energetic high. It is commonly used at raves, festivals, or at clubs. When under the influence, individuals can feel invincible and satisfied to the point where they are no longer behaving in ways that reflect reality. It can also cause hallucinations, which some individuals go after in an effort to enhance their experience.
Even though some may intend to use this drug in a harmless manner, using it at all can be extremely risky. For example, a deficiency of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin can actually make the user lose their will to live. On top of the risk of overdose, the period of withdrawal from molly has been linked to suicide attempts. This can easily create a vicious cycle of self-medication that naturally leads to addictive behaviors. Long-term use can create or exacerbate depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and health problems that can result in permanent damage and potentially death.
Signs of Use
Since molly is most commonly used as a club drug, it can be difficult to notice patterns of use. That is because many people only use the substance when they are at a party, festival, club, or other gathering. For some, however, the use of molly continues on in their everyday life, complicating their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
When under the influence of molly, some of the most common symptoms include the following:
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Dehydration
- Seizures
- Teeth clenching
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- No appetite
- Elevated body temperature
For those who have begun a cycle of abusing molly on a regular basis, some of the signs signifying their use can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Severe mood swings
- Taking days to recover from getting high
- Extreme exhaustion
- Manic behavior
- Socially isolating from others in order to use
- Putting molly use before all other responsibilities
- Attempting to limit or stop molly use but being unsuccessful at doing so
Molly vs. MDMA: Is There a Difference?
MDMA, which is the welcomed abbreviation for the clinical name methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is often considered molly. MDMA is a stimulant that also has certain hallucinatory properties. This makes MDMA basically two drugs in one. MDMA had its origins as a psychiatric drug used in past decades as a means of encouraging trust, self-confidence, and understanding in mental health patients. And while many people look at MDMA and molly as being the exact same substance but with separate names, there are differences between the two.
The primary difference between MDMA and molly is that while users often consider molly as the pure form of the drug, it is actually styled as a designer drug. This means that it contains molecules of other legal or illegal drugs as well as fillers such as sugar, soap, or other household products. As you can imagine, ingesting these adulterants even in small amounts increases the risk posed by the drug. While users experience the same sense of euphoria associated with pure MDMA, many drugs passed off as molly don’t contain any MDMA at all. Instead, they are often combinations of other medications such as ketamine, methylone, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine, all of which are not MDMA. Also, unlike MDMA, molly is often sold in a powdered form which furthers the deception regarding its perceived purity.
Treatment Options for Molly Addiction
What is molly? Isn’t it just a club drug? These are some of the most common thoughts people experience when thinking about the severity of molly use. Even though it is not as widely discussed as other illicit substances, it is very dangerous and can become habit-forming. Seeking treatment for this type of abuse or addiction is absolutely vital.
It is often encouraged that those addicted to molly begin their treatment by detoxing in the care of professionals because detoxing independently can be dangerous. Individuals looking to recover from molly can then engage in programming that is appropriate for their unique needs. Molly addiction is not treated much differently than any other type of drug addiction, making it possible for individuals who are addicted to it to get the best available care.
Molly Addiction Treatment in St. Augustine, FL
If you are curious to learn more about molly or any other drugs, don’t hesitate to ask for help. At Pearl of the Sea Retreat, we understand how confusing a molly addiction can be. We also understand that the longer the use of this drug continues, the more likely it becomes for serious, life-threatening effects to occur.
If you are ready to get the help you need, reach out to us right now. We want to help you take that first step towards recovery at Pearl of the Sea Retreat. Call us today for more information on our treatment services.