CREDIT: MDMA.NET
MDMA is sometimes described as a cross between a psychostimulant and a mild hallucinogen.

Let me introduce you to "Molly," a drug that has become immensely popular among ravegoers over the past few years. Although Ecstasy and raves have been around since the '80s, what was once an underground party scene has now become very mainstream.

London itself has hosted some of the biggest names in electronic dance music. Over the past three years, ravers have partied with Deadmau5, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Steve Angello, Hardwell and Skrillex, among many more. Raves provide the perfect platform for "M" as it provides users with increased energy, sociability and confidence.

The social aspect of taking the drug can be one of the biggest issues, said one former user. "When you're in an environment where M is common, you lose the understanding of the severity and illegality of the drug. It almost becomes like candy, and you don't think about the consequences," said former Fanshawe student Isabelle George (name changed to protect privacy).

What Is It?
MDMA is an abbreviation for its chemical name: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It's classified as an Amphetamine, and the average capsule contains 100 milligrams of the drug. Dr. Rick Csiernik is a professor at King's University College who focuses on social work and addiction. In his book Substance Use and Abuse: Everything Matters, he wrote that, "It is a derivative of oil of sassafras and oil of nutmeg and was synthesized by chemists looking for amphetamine-like drugs to help suppress appetite."

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse website, "MDMA is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences."

Effects
Therapist Morrigan Reilly- Ansons works in counselling and psychotherapy services, and she said, "One of the dangerous things is the way its manufactured - you never know exactly what you're getting, so you're never really sure what the effects will be."

According for the Centre of Mental Health and Addiction, the primary effects of the drug are to induce feelings of warmth, energy, empathy, peacefulness and a positive "vibe" for several minutes to several hours.

"It makes me feel very alert," said former Fanshawe student Sandra Jones (name changed to protect privacy), who is a current MDMA user. "Things like touch and sight and sounds are all heightened, you have more energy and feel pretty good, basically."

"I had the best experience the first time I tried MDMA," added current user and Business Administrative student Courtney Sanderson (name changed to protect privacy). "I was a bit nervous to try it, but at the same time I was so curious. It was an amazing experience. I couldn't stop smiling and dancing."

In his book, Csiernik highlighted some of the effects, "Psychotherapy patients in clinical trials using the drug have reported a variety of physical side effects including sweating, blurred vision, fluctuations in blood pressure, loss of appetite and stiffness of their bones." Other physical effects include involuntary teeth-clenching, nausea and faintness.

"One of the issues with drugs like MDMA is the constant need to want more," Sanderson said. "Over the span of eight hours, I took seven pills (approximately 700 mg); although I know that's an excessive amount to take, my body was telling me that I needed more and more when it started to wear off. I couldn't fall asleep for hours upon hours."

Long-Term Effects/Consequences
George admitted that she was a fairly constant user, "I used to do it a lot last summer, about three times a week, and at the time, I used think it was great and that no one knew I was on it. As soon as I started seeing pictures of myself, that all changed." Although she admitted to only taking about half a pill (50 mg) each time, she's recognized some consequences. "We all started suffering after-effects from the constant use of the drugs, too; one of my friends started to urinate blood and I still can't stop chattering my teeth when I sleep."

Csiernik also warned about potential long-term effects in his book. "Problems arising from unregulated use of MDMA have included insomnia, lethargy, kidney damage, hypertension, weight loss, anorexia, anxiety attacks, depression, aggression, altering of brain chemistry after cessation, increases in body temperature, dehydration, memory loss and a few documented seizures and deaths."

Although there can be several negative effects, addiction psychotherapist Mary Jane Millar said they don't see a lot of people coming in for addiction to that drug. "It is not a drug where chemically or physiologically your body develops any kind of dependency on it, like drugs like alcohol and cocaine."

Millar did recognize an issue with some users, "What we do see is that long-term E or M users do not respond to anti-depressants if they do get clean, because of what it does to the serotonin in the brain. So it is a concern if it's someone who experienced anxiety and depression prior to the use."

Often referred to as the "love drug," MDMA also increases feelings of affection and heightens senses such as touch, making intimate situations more appealing. "The difficulty with E or M is that we see a lot of young people hooking up with someone at a party they didn't necessarily want to, or they wouldn't have if they weren't on E, so you're looking at STIs and unplanned pregnancies as well," said Millar. The confusion can also lead to unwanted sexual encounters, she added. "Women on MDMA consider they've consented and guys too get confused about the issue of consent."

When you take any drugs, you are at risk of addiction. Reilly- Ansons explained, "With addiction, basically it's any sort of behaviour that's focused on seeking an external answer for something internal: a gap ... what characterizes it is the negative consequences, doing the behaviour despite the repercussions."

Many other social issues can occur with constant users and addicts. "One of the signs of that (addiction) is having interpersonal difficulties," said Reilly-Ansons, "Whether it's getting in arguments with friends and family about the substance, whether you're getting in arguments while you're using or afterwards or if you're friends and family are expressing concerns."

Time To Get Help?
The message is that you don't have to be addicted to talk to someone about your drug use. "I think that if they're feeling overwhelmed at all, they really need to do that prevention piece and see someone, and be open. A lot of young people feel that this is an issue they don't talk about, they keep secret," Millar suggested. She also added that students need to feel they can come forward and aren't going to get in trouble if they talk about this. There's a stigma behind visiting an addiction centre, so Millar recommended talking to a family physician or student health services.

RESOURCES FOR HELP

Mary Jane Millar MSW, RSW
519 619 5047
mjmillar@addictionsintervention.ca

Morrigan Reilly-Ansons B.A., M.A.,
C.C.C
519-280-0959
mreillya@gmail.com

24-hour Drug and Alcohol Helpline
1-800-565-8603

Addiction Services Thames Valley
519-673-3242