Whether it’s at school or work, almost every person (probably in the world) has struggled with paying attention at one time or another on a task at hand. In contemporary times, this problem if repetitive can be fixed by doctors giving people a prescription for Adderall or a similar prescription called Dexedrine. Dexedrine is over a century old and has been helping people become more task-driven for a very long time.
However, as the drug gained in popularity, it also gained in being abused and used recreationally. And while international governments have tried to control the abuse, they are still coming up short, very, short.
If you think you or someone you know may be abusing Dexedrine, there are things that you should look for. Scroll down to learn more about Dexedrine, what it is, where it came from, and where it is heading.
What Is Dexedrine?
Along with Adderall, Dexedrine is a commonly prescribed drug to help people with ADHD. It can also help with narcolepsy.
Definition
Dexedrine is a stimulant used to increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused, and control behavior problems. It can also help people stay organized and improve their listening skills.
Dexedrine is one of the brand names for dextroamphetamine. Other common names for this drug are ProCentra, Spansule, and Zenzedi.
It can also help with certain sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
How Is It Taken?
Dexedrine can be taken in a liquid or pill form. Patients can take it with or without food usually one to three times per day.
Users take the first dose in the morning, then if prescribed, take the subsequent doses four to six hours apart. The final dose isn’t prescribed late in the day as it can cause insomnia.
Who Takes It?
This is a medication most often prescribed to anyone over the age of 12 suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy. While Dexedrine helps those stay focused and alert, it should not be used without a prescription.
Sadly, it is. Approximately 13 million Americans take Dexedrine unsupervised.
And it is very common for it to affect every demographic, regardless of age, race, class, and other factors. It is also one of the most commonly abused drugs by college-aged students and teenagers.
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GET HELP NOWA Brief History of Dexedrine
The amphetamines relating to Dexedrine were first created in late 19th century Germany. They were not put on the market until the 1930s, and America approved its use for obesity, narcolepsy, and attention deficit disorders.
The drug sales spiked from the 1930s-1970s, and it became apparent to international governments that laws had to be put in place for it to be a controlled substance.
Nowadays, there are almost 16,000 Americans visit the ER annually for issues with Dexedrine. A lot of this may be due to the fact that Dexedrine is one of the easiest prescriptions to become addicted to because it is easily accessible. 44,000 prescriptions are filled every day in the United States for Dexedrine and similar amphetamines.
And while 4.4 percent of Americans have a legal prescription; several doctors are worried that addiction to Dexedrine will be the next opioid epidemic.
Consequences of Dexedrine Abuse
As a powerful stimulant, Dexedrine may have several effects on a person’s body. These may vary, but often include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Boosts of energy
- Ability to focus or concentrate easier
- Insomnia
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Tremors
- Dry mouth
- Sleep difficulty
Effects on the Mind and Body
The symptoms to the mind and body on Dilaudid can vary from person to person. But here are some things you may see in someone who is becoming addicted, or who already is:
- Mood swings
- Verbal Tics
- Hallucinations
- Hostility
- Erratic behavior
- Paranoia
You may also look for the following effects on the mind and body if the person is withdrawing from it. These may not be as likely in people who have constant access to cash flow, but if someone is having withdrawal, you can see some of the following symptoms and signs:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Low energy levels
- Strange dreams
- Agitation
- Muscle aches
- Sleep disturbances
- Extreme hunger and thirst
- Lack of interest in things they are normally interested in
- Chills
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Psychotic symptoms
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GET HELP NOWShort-Term and Long-Term Health Effects
The following are the short-term and long-term effects Dexedrine has on your body. These may vary from person to person, and they may also be hard to spot.
The important thing to look at when paying attention to the effects is how often and repetitive they are. For example, some of these are just symptoms of anxiety, depression, even the flu, so before you call someone out for drug addiction, make sure to observe the problems.
Short-Term Health Effects
- Heightened alertness
- Increase in energy
- Focused attention
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
Long-Term Health Effects
- Vision problems
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Erectile dysfunction
- Increased blood pressure
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GET HELP NOWUsing Dexedrine With Other Drugs
Because Dexedrine is a stimulant, your doctor must be aware of you taking it. It can have a poor reaction with certain drugs, especially alcohol. Because Dexedrine is an “upper,” it’s often recreationally mixed with other uppers, or downers, to get the desired outcome.
Which Drugs Are Commonly Used With Dexedrine?
While it is not advised that you take any of the following drugs while consuming Dexedrine, several people do take it with one or more of the following stimulants or depressants:
- Adderall
- Ativan
- Cymbalta
- Zoloft
- Xanax
- Evekeo
- Adzenys
- Amphetamine of any kind
- Adderall XR
- Dexedrine
- ProCentra
- Zenzedi
- Focalin
- Focalin XR
- Vyvanse
- Concerta
- Any Lisdexamfetamine
- Daytana
- Metadate CD/ER
- Methylin
- Methylin ER
- Ritalin
- Ritalin SR/LA
- Quillivant
- Alprazolam
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Klonopin
As stated prior, mixing stimulants with anything else can be very dangerous. It can be just as dangerous to mix them with anxiety medications and other depressants. It can cause high blood pressure, fast heart rate, and rapid breathing.
It is even fatal in some cases.
Treating Dexedrine Addiction
With stimulants like Dexedrine, it can be hard to spot when there is a problem. This is partially due to how many people take it.
Yes, some people have been prescribed medication like Dexedrine and Adderall. But we know from statistics that a vast majority of people taking it aren’t getting it because they’ve been diagnosed and need it.
If you think that you or someone you love developed an addiction to Dexedrine, there’s help out there for both you and them.
Dexedrine may be used by millions of Americans. But just because everybody is doing it, does not make it cool or okay. If someone you know needs help, then do what you can, and try to help them.
Are you battling an ongoing addiction with prescription drugs, but worry you do not have the time to get sober? You should look more into rehabilitation that fits around your lifestyle.
