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Suburban moms discover ecstasy
Filed under: Just For Moms, Divorce & Custody, Health & Safety: Babies, In The News, Single Parenting
Very few people in my high school managed to get through those years without at least dabbling in recreational drugs. While I think that speaks volumes about the high school I attended, it also reveals the inexperience and ignorance of most of our parents. Having grown up in a different era, our parents just had no idea the kind of trouble available to us kids.
These days, most of my high school classmates are parents themselves and have long since lost interest in getting high. But for some people nearing middle age, these are the years to experiment. In Australia, a national study has revealed that many suburban moms over the age of 30 are discovering the drug ecstasy - and liking it.
Ecstasy produces a euphoric feeling while at the same time diminishing fears and anxieties. Experts say this type of high appeals to people who see it as a safe alternative to alcohol. Relationships Australia vice-president Anne Hollonds says that these women are misinformed about the harmful effects of the drug and are putting themselves - and their children - at risk. "These are people who sometimes haven't had involvement with substances the first time round, but second time round they might, particularly to reinforce their youthfulness, to be able to fit in and all of those things because they're often quite emotionally vulnerable," she said. "There's also a lot of risks associated with that in relation to the care of the children."
There have been very few studies into the harmful effects of ecstasy, but what is known about the drug is pretty scary. The main ingredient, methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), is a neurotoxin which kills brain cells and can possibly cause permanent brain damage. And that is if you get the real stuff. Authorities say that some dealers are selling 'fake ecstasy', which contains no MDMA, but is loaded with amphetamines and ketamine, a horse tranquilizer. That cannot be good.
Of course, this study focuses on Australian women, but I would imagine the chances are good that this is happening in the U.S. as well.
These days, most of my high school classmates are parents themselves and have long since lost interest in getting high. But for some people nearing middle age, these are the years to experiment. In Australia, a national study has revealed that many suburban moms over the age of 30 are discovering the drug ecstasy - and liking it.
Ecstasy produces a euphoric feeling while at the same time diminishing fears and anxieties. Experts say this type of high appeals to people who see it as a safe alternative to alcohol. Relationships Australia vice-president Anne Hollonds says that these women are misinformed about the harmful effects of the drug and are putting themselves - and their children - at risk. "These are people who sometimes haven't had involvement with substances the first time round, but second time round they might, particularly to reinforce their youthfulness, to be able to fit in and all of those things because they're often quite emotionally vulnerable," she said. "There's also a lot of risks associated with that in relation to the care of the children."
There have been very few studies into the harmful effects of ecstasy, but what is known about the drug is pretty scary. The main ingredient, methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), is a neurotoxin which kills brain cells and can possibly cause permanent brain damage. And that is if you get the real stuff. Authorities say that some dealers are selling 'fake ecstasy', which contains no MDMA, but is loaded with amphetamines and ketamine, a horse tranquilizer. That cannot be good.
Of course, this study focuses on Australian women, but I would imagine the chances are good that this is happening in the U.S. as well.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-16-2008 @ 5:31PM
Rachel said...I too am over 30 and did not really "play" with recreational drugs unitl my late 20's. I took extacy the first time on my 30th birthday. OH MY GOD!!! Was it wonderful!!! I felt like I could handle the woes of my everyday life with my crumbled marriage and problems at work, etc. On X I felt like there wasn't anything I couldn't deal with. Almost a year later, I still crave that feeling. I am smart enough, though, to realize that I cannot be around that kind of thing. I don't even know where to get it anymore. I still have to fight that demon, but my kids remind me everyday of what I'd be missing if I continued down that road.
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9-17-2008 @ 12:02PM
Ellen from MindBites.com said...I would strongly advise against anyone reading this article and then thinking about trying ectasy as a way to retain their youthfulness.
Anything that you buy off of the secondary, drug market has very high risks of being cut with harmful chemicals. Not just horse tranquilizers. The reason why dealers cut with other chemicals is because they are trying to stretch the actual drug so they can sell more of it off of their initial investment.
They test different formulas that produce similar effects and sell the altered versions of the drug on the street with the end-user being none the wiser because the pill looks the same. You never know when your body is going to have an extreme allergic reaction to these types of chemicals.
There are so many other ways to refresh yourself and take away worries like excercise or getting involved with a charity. It really does change your focus. If you feel like you need a change and are looking for some excitement and charitable activity, we will be happy to have you at MindBites. http://www.mindbites.com/teach
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