Ecstasy and The Rave Scene

Ecstacy, Extasy, XTC, X

Booming sounds vibrate through the body, making even the smallest of hairs twitch to the electric rhythm of the music. Flashing lights, colorful ribbons and swirling sticks briefly illuminate the warehouse. Everyone is dancing, everyone is laughing, everyone is having a great time, but someone appears down. Yet that’s all about to change, as a drug dealer approaches the individual and makes quite an appealing proposition. Why not try the “X”? Everyone takes it and they’re having the time of their life? How bout girls, don’t you want to meet some? “X” is going to make it all happen for you, trust me.

Was it curiosity, lack of knowledge, or simply pure influence that pushed the individual to try ecstasy? Many factors come into play, but the curiosity of knowing what the big deal with ecstasy is all about may be the reason why so many teenagers are leaning towards this “party” drug. When it comes to ecstasy, there are many differing perceptions regarding its health hazards. Not only is ecstasy becoming a hot topic in news broadcast and newspaper articles, but a considerable portion of the information specified is often misleading.

The rave scene is constantly blamed for the imposing amounts of ecstasy being consumed at such venues. Yet, many believe that one can’t exist without the other. Raves are traditionally night events where considerable numbers of people (ranging from a few to thousands) go to socialize, have fun and dance all night. Most of the time, these parties are advertised as “natural” parties, meaning that the majority of the beverages served are energy drinks and not alcohol. Nevertheless, drugs still manage to sneak in during the event and ecstasy is massively consumed.

Beginning in the 80’s, rave clubs started to appear in the United States and the United Kingdom. Mainly held in warehouses, these raves reflected the techno and acid house music. Due to the loud noises and large amounts of people presenting themselves at such events, numerous complaints were filed to stop raves.

The federal and local authorities reacted to this by passing and enforcing legislation prohibiting the holding of raves. The 90's were notably marked by such laws that passed in several countries. This drastically slowed down the rave scene, but didn’t stop illegal parties from being held.

Today, authorities are closely monitoring raves. Nonetheless, ecstasy is still being repeatedly consumed during these events. It remains a grave, and unfortunately, growing problem. Some individuals aren’t even aware of the severe side effects that can be experienced when using the drug, such as:

- Confusion - Depression - Nausea - Teeth clenching - Chills/sweating - Sleep problems - Drug craving

- Severe anxiety - Paranoia - Liver damage - Increase heart rate - Blood pressure - Coma - Death

These side effects, when accompanied with dehydration caused by dancing, may become fatal. During several rave parties, individuals suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. Others rapidly left the scene to get to the nearest hospital. However, even if rapid action is taken, the adverse side effects of ecstasy are too often fatal:

¹'She [Marissa] also occasionally experimented with drugs such as marijuana and LSD. Last Aug. 12, at a party in West Seattle, she first tried MDMA, a drug popularly known as Ecstasy. It killed her.

A few hours after taking at least one Ecstasy pill, Marissa went into convulsions. After more than a day in a coma, she died at Harborview Medical Center. The official cause of death: anoxic encephalopathy, or lack of oxygen to the brain, specifically due to "MDMA intoxication."'

² "[...]two young men died after taking ecstasy at a rave in London. Stephen Brett, 19, and Bret Gilkes, 20, both took at least one pill with a five-pronged crown stamped on it on Saturday night. They later collapsed and were rushed to hospital. By Tuesday both were dead. A third man remains critically ill in hospital."

Although raves are portrayed as all-night dance parties, they will remain treacherous as long as club drugs (ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, etc.) are easily accessible. Contrarily to what others may say, ecstasy is dangerous and can be fatal. Several toxic chemical products may be used during production of the drug, resulting in hazardous mixtures. There is nothing wrong with dancing all night long, only if everything consumed is indeed all natural.

References:

¹ http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/69811_ecstasy10.shtml
²http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,515254,00.html
http://www.laofamily.org/health/spring_2001.htm
http://hyperreal.org/raves/altraveFAQ.html#whatis
http://www.thesite.org/drinkanddrugs/drugculture/drugstrade/thehistoryofrave
http://www.tnclearinghouse.com/factsheets/ClubDrugFacts.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rave

Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Program

The Narconon program has worked for over thirty years to help patients end their addictions to drugs, alcohol, painkillers, and other controlled substances. The hallmark of Narconon is its ability to create a drug free rehab and drug-free recovery program that frees patients from the fears of substituting anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, and sedatives for the original drug.

Indeed, Narconon believes that a natural, holistic approach to withdrawal is the most beneficial program for a patient. Once a patient has rid himself of toxins in the body, the mind recovers from its need for addictions and the cycle of abuse ends gradually, permanently. Drug rehabilitation, alcohol rehab, and addiction-ending programs must begin with a withdrawal from the substance in question, often leaving the patient in the throes of anxiety, depression, fear, and substitute cravings.

At Narconon, we do not substitute addictions or leave patients to suffer through these withdrawals, but rather educate patients and help them to understand why the body created the addiction as a coping mechanism. Over time, as the body rids itself of biochemical toxins, we help them reclaim their life by taking control of their body. Through nutritional supplements, exercise, and simply sweating out toxins, they'll be able to speed withdrawal and enjoy life with a new structure of purpose and relief.