Ecstasy Withdrawal and Detox
Written by Heather Lomax
& Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD
Medically Reviewed
Up to Date
Key Takeaways
- Ecstasy has a high potential for abuse and addiction because its withdrawal symptoms can cause people to crave the drug.
- Ecstasy withdrawal can last between 1-4 weeks.
- Ecstasy withdrawal can be unpredictable because of the unpredictability of what each pill contains.
- People can detox from home, but it is generally safer to undergo medical detox, whether inpatient or outpatient.
What is Ecstasy Withdrawal?
Ecstasy, also known as Molly, MDMA, E, X and Adam, can cause unpredictable withdrawal symptoms because it is often mixed with other addictive drugs. People who become addicted to Ecstasy will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using the drug. An inability to stop the drug may require ecstasy detox.
Addiction to a drug like Ecstasy develops when someone becomes stuck in the cycle of euphoria, crash and craving.
Ecstasy causes intense euphoria followed by a crash for several days because it depletes neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Uncomfortable symptoms of a crash then fuel craving because a person wants to stop the negative symptoms.
When you take Ecstasy on a regular basis, stopping the drug causes withdrawal symptoms because the brain cells are producing fewer neurotransmitters than they need.
Factors Affecting Ecstasy Withdrawal
The single biggest complicating factor of Ecstasy withdrawal is that it is usually not pure MDMA but a mixture of multiple drugs. Law enforcement has found that when someone buys Ecstasy, they are only getting a tablet or capsule with MDMA about 60% of the time.
When MDMA is actually in the mixture, there are often other drugs mixed in as well. Ecstasy tablets have been found to contain ketamine, MDA (a designer drug similar to Ecstasy), cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cathinones (“bath salts“).
A few other factors affect Ecstasy withdrawal as well, including:
Additives
Drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine may be mixed into Ecstasy and have a higher potential for addiction and harm than MDMA alone. Mixtures of multiple stimulants will cause more damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs than the stimulants by themselves. Someone addicted to multiple drugs will also experience longer and more severe withdrawal symptoms, depending on the combination.
Dosage
Dosage plays a small role in the severity of withdrawal symptoms because, generally, if someone is addicted to MDMA, they are not taking small doses.
Frequency of Use
More frequent usage will prolong withdrawal symptoms, sometimes from just a few days to up to a week.
Ecstasy Withdrawal Symptoms
Since Ecstasy affects so many systems in the brain, it causes a wide range of withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common Molly withdrawal symptoms include:
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Problems with memory and attention
- Loss of impulse control
- Panic attacks
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
- Heart damage
- Irregular heartbeat
How Long Does Ecstasy Withdrawal Last?
The half-life of MDMA is about 6-10 hours, meaning half of a dose is broken down by the body in that amount of time. Because it takes five half-lives to completely remove MDMA from the system, most people need about 30-50 hours or around two days.
Depending on the level of addiction, withdrawal symptoms may begin immediately after stopping Ecstasy or a few days later. People with very severe addictions need to keep using the drug just to prevent withdrawal.
Ecstasy Withdrawal Timeline
0–2 days after the last dose | This is the initial detox period and when MDMA is being metabolized from the body. Most people will not begin withdrawal symptoms at this time, but some might. |
3–7 days after the last dose | For most people, symptoms will peak at this time. Most commonly, people will experience fever or temperature irregularities, trouble sleeping, memory problems, anxiety or panic attacks, irritability and irregular heartbeat. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable but are generally not dangerous. |
1–4 weeks after the last dose | The severity of withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside. Sleep and eating patterns should be returning to normal. Mood symptoms like anxiety and depression will stabilize as long as the person does not have underlying mental health diagnoses. |
1 month and longer after the last dose | After four weeks, most people should no longer experience symptoms of withdrawal. However, protracted withdrawal symptoms may sometimes occur. |
Dangers of Ecstasy Withdrawal
Ecstasy withdrawal is usually not dangerous. However, it can lead to an array of unpleasant symptoms. It is important to know what to expect during Ecstasy withdrawal if you or a loved one are addicted to the drug. Seeking medical help during Ecstasy withdrawal can help alleviate both withdrawal symptoms and the risk of complications.
Physical Health Risks
Many different physical symptoms can occur during Ecstasy withdrawal. Although generally not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and may include:
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Sleep habit changes
- Vivid and unpleasant dreams
- Concentration and attention problems
- Headaches
- Cravings
- Aches and pains
- Muscle tension
- Increased appetite
- Slow heart rate
Mental Health Complications
Mental health complications pose one of the most potentially dangerous Ecstasy side effects. Low mood, which can include suicidal thoughts and behaviors, can occur in some people during the Ecstasy withdrawal process. Other mental health symptoms of Ecstasy withdrawal include:
- Mood fluctuations
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Ecstasy Detox
The safest way to detox from Molly is to get in touch with addiction medicine professionals and enter a medical detox program. While withdrawal from MDMA is generally not life-threatening, it can affect many organ systems and cause potential harm. Entering medical detox will ensure that a team of clinicians can monitor for and prevent permanent damage to the kidneys, heart and liver.
The “crash” and mood symptoms of MDMA can be very severe, and people withdrawing are at an increased risk of depression and anxiety symptoms, which may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. Medical detox will also monitor for these symptoms.
Also, If any other drugs were present in the Ecstasy pills, these could be identified with drug testing techniques.
People with an addiction to MDMA should consider detoxing with the help of trained staff at an addiction and rehab facility like The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health Drug and Alcohol Rehab.
Treatment for Ecstasy Withdrawal and Addiction
For those living in Florida, The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health Drug and Alcohol Rehab has inpatient and outpatient services for people with substance use disorder, whether with MDMA, alcohol or another drug.
The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health Drug and Alcohol Rehab also has treatment facilities located across the country, and resources are available in many states.
Each person has different needs in a detox center and should consider locations, cost, available programs and long-term support services in their decision.
View Sources
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Drug Enforcement Administration. “3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine.” April 2023. Accessed October 8, 2023.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) DrugFacts.” June 2020. Accessed October 8, 2023.
PubChem. “3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine.” Accessed October 8, 2023.
Hallare, Jericho; Gerriets, Valerie. “Half Life.” StatPearls, June 20, 2023. Accessed October 8, 2023.
Lerner, Alicja; Klein, Michael. “Dependence, withdrawal and rebound of CNS drugs: an update and regulatory considerations for new drugs development.” Brain Communications, October 16, 2019. Accessed October 8, 2023.
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