There are, of course, many different kinds of drugs. There are medications—both over-the-counter and prescription. There is a wide array of illicit drugs. There are drugs that have been illegal and are now legal. There are drugs that have been legal that are now illegal. The effects of all of these drugs vary widely, as do the reasons people start using them. But here’s something most every drug you can name has in common with every other drug: if they are misused, they can lead to devastating consequences. And once you are hooked on a drug—whether it is a medicine or an illicit drug—it can be devilishly difficult to stop taking it.
A Look at Two Very Different Drugs
For our purposes today, we’re going to look at two different drugs. One is legal, is frequently prescribed, and tends to have a calming effect on the person who takes it. The other is illegal, is popular among partiers, and tends to have a stimulating effect on the person who takes it.
The first is Ativan. The second is Ecstasy.
Ativan: Calming or Calamitous
Ativan belongs to the class of drugs commonly known as benzos, and it is quite effective as a treatment for anxiety and panic disorders. Your doctor may prescribe it to help you get relief from relentless feelings of anxiety that can make it hard to function on a day-to-day basis.
If misused, however, Ativan can lead to a range of serious problems. A person who builds up a tolerance—meaning they need to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect—and a dependence on Ativan could experience an array of negative side effects. These may include:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Excessive sleeping
- Excessive sweating
- Fainting
- Hallucinations
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
Ecstasy: A Drug That Doesn’t Live Up to Its Name
Ecstasy is counted among the club drugs—meaning it is frequently used to enhance the experience of a night of partying. It is illegal, but it is also popular, which means that a person who wants it can likely find it. The drug artificially elevates a person’s mood and provides a sense of well-being. Inhibitions are lowered, and senses are heightened. But none of that comes without potential consequences. Those consequences may include:
- Anxiety
- Arrhythmia or other heart problems, including increased heart rate
- Attention issues
- Confusion
- Depression
- Excessive sweating and/or chills
- Feelings of faintness
- Impulsiveness
- Increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Kidney failure
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory issues
- Muscle tension
- Nausea
- Reduction in appetite
- Reduction in sex drive
- Seizures
Both Ativan and Ecstasy Can Lead to Withdrawal Challenges
At some point, a person who is abusing a drug—whether it is Ativan, Ecstasy, or something else entirely—is going to conclude that the negative impacts of continued use far outweigh any benefits the drug may have originally provided. Once they realize this, the only logical thing to do is to stop taking the drug, right?
The problem is that it is seldom easy to give up a drug once a substance use disorder has developed. That’s because the user suffers withdrawal symptoms—which frequently include significant and hard-to-withstand cravings for the drug—that can make quitting feel impossible.
It’s a terrible position to be in. You want to quit taking the drug. In fact, you need to stop taking the drug. But withdrawal symptoms keep sending you back for more.
Fortunately, there is a way out of this trap: Seeking help at a fully-accredited residential treatment center.
French Creek Recovery Center Can Help You Kick Ativan, Ecstasy, and More
No matter whether you have developed a substance use disorder centered on Ativan, Ecstasy, or something else entirely, the solution is likely the same: medically supervised detoxification and a strong rehabilitation program.
That is exactly what we offer at French Creek Recovery Center. We provide compassionate, evidence-based, personalized care designed to help you get and stay sober. Our rehab program includes both individual and group therapy—and offers the opportunity to address any co-occurring mental health disorders that may have contributed to the development of your substance use disorder.
French Creek Recovery Center is also committed to a continuum of care, which means you will have access to support and resources after you leave treatment so that you can have confidence in the challenging early days of recovery. When you are ready to get help, we are ready to provide it in a non-judgmental setting where each individual is treated with the respect they deserve.