Table of Contents
As addiction is defined as a complex relapsing disorder in which an individual has intense urges for substance use, an individual with a Dexedrine addiction is unable to properly control their usage of the drug, and would likely benefit from a Dexedrine rehab setting.
Dexedrine, or dextroamphetamine, is a central nervous stimulant drug that is used in treatments for certain mental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
They typically find benefit in using Dexedrine as it helps better regulate their dopamine levels however, individuals without mental disorders may use it to increase their dopamine and boost levels of energy to experience a form of high.
Dexedrine as well as other stimulant medications are believed to make individuals smarter and while cognition can improve due to these drugs, the side effects, especially without a need for the medication, can lead to harmful consequences. This can include dependence, addiction, and psychosis.
Individuals with ADHD are also at risk of becoming addicted. It is important for individuals to not take Dexedrine unless it is prescribed to them and to take the medication as prescribed to best avoid addiction and harmful experiences.
Mental health is a major factor and aspect of substance abuse. The mental health of an individual is one of the leading factors in how substance abuse and addiction can develop.
In the same way every individual can experience physical difficulties with their physical health, every individual can experience mental difficulties with their mental health. Mental health refers to the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an individual.
According to MentalHealth.gov, mental health is related to the way we think, feel, behave, and our perception. These aspects directly affect how we manage stress, connect with others, and the decisions we make.
While all individuals will struggle with this as they continue throughout life, there are many individuals who struggle with their mental health daily. These individuals have mental health disorders.
A mental health disorder is a type of psychiatric condition that affects feelings, thoughts, behaviors, mood, and perception. Mental disorders are often life-long and stick with an individual for the entirety of their life.
These disorders can cause an individual to experience a lowered quality of life in their daily experience. Individuals with mental health disorders must properly manage their symptoms each day which can be very exhausting.
To cope or manage this lowered experience and their difficulties, individuals often turn to substance use as a method of self-medicating. Self-medicating can be seen as an individual determining how to use a substance to deal with their experience without the guidance of a doctor.
This can lead to substance abuse and drug addiction within individuals. It is important for individuals to receive proper treatment for their experiences. Treatment for mental health disorders often provides individuals with the help they need to manage their daily lives.
Dexedrine, or dextroamphetamine is one of the many different stimulant medications that is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Dexedrine works specifically as a central nervous system stimulant and affects brain functions
It does this through its specific effects on two neurotransmitters called dopamine and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers found naturally within the brain which are responsible for our processes and functions throughout the day.
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for our feelings of well-being and our motivation. Dopamine is a major necessity for individuals to maintain proper function throughout their days.
Norepinephrine, or noradrenaline, is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for our feelings of energy and directly causes our fight-or-flight response. Norepinephrine also affects our blood pressure.
Dexedrine works by stopping or inhibiting these two neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed by the body and increasing their levels of them within the brain. This increase in pleasure from dopamine and energy from norepinephrine is what leads individuals to become addicted.
Dexedrine is a prescription drug provided to individuals in need of these effects; however, taking this medication outside of the prescribed dosage can lead to severe effects arising within an individual.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a mental disorder in which an individual’s attention, focus, and behavior are strongly affected. This can be seen in many of the symptoms such as an inability to sit still, maintain extended attention, or complete tasks.
ADHD individuals can be prescribed Dexedrine as a treatment to support their experience with ADHD. These individuals are dopamine deficient and have a lowered quality of daily experience.
As Dexedrine is used to support individuals with ADHD to reach a natural balance within themselves, they often do not feel a rush of dopamine or pleasure that may come from use. Individuals without ADHD are more likely to abuse Dexedrine.
Dexedrine is one of many ADHD treatment medications. As amphetamines, these substances have been categorized as ADHD drugs and as ‘legal speed’ within the minds of the public. Due to this, many individuals look for it to boost their performance without having a need for it.
Narcolepsy is a type of sleeping disorder in which an individual lacks control over the sleep region of their brain. Dexedrine is a stimulant that allows these individuals to stay awake and stimulated throughout the day.
Although Dexedrine does assist these individuals, it is not primarily prescribed to individuals struggling with this disorder. There are other prescription drugs that are first prescribed to better suit individuals and have fewer unwanted side effects for an individual. Dexedrine prescriptions in narcolepsy are typically issued because other forms of medication did not work well with an individual.
The side effects of Dexedrine are not much different from that of other amphetamines. It is important for an individual to understand the side effects to come as to better prepare and manage their experience.
The side effects of Dexedrine use include:
Individuals addicted to substances or struggling with dependence on a substance will face withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawals are one of the biggest factors which prevent individuals from properly stopping drug use.
They can be overwhelming and relapse-provoking for individuals. It is a highly unpleasant experience and some of the withdrawals can be potentially dangerous, even life-threatening. Treating drug dependence requires proper attention to best avoids dangerous situations.
Most stimulant drugs carry similar withdrawal symptoms within individuals. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Dexedrine withdrawals can include:
Yes, it is possible for an individual to overdose on Dexedrine. Taking in too much of the substance can lead to detrimental health issues and difficulties with properly processing the toxic substance.
Overdose with Dexedrine typically occurs with polysubstance abuse or taking in multiple substances at once. An individual taking in multiple drugs at once is much more likely to overdose. Some of the signs of an overdose include:
If you or a loved one are experiencing these signs, get help immediately. Call emergency services for immediate attention and assistance.
There are many different treatment programs for individuals to undergo depending on the substance. Addiction treatment will always be adjusted to best fit an individual and their needs. With this, an individual is able to recover and abstain from substance abuse.
As Dexedrine is one of many prescription stimulants, the primary treatment provided will be focused on behavioral therapies. Unfortunately, there is no addiction medicine available to specifically assist with stimulant addiction.
Some medications can still be provided for individuals to support them through the difficulties of withdrawals however, this does vary from person to person to best fit their needs.
Just like all other addiction treatments, Dexedrine abuse begins with a detoxification process to remove the substance from an individual. Then, once this process has finished, an individual can begin the addiction recovery process.
Behavioral therapy will support individuals by teaching them the necessary skills and reinforcing abstinence from harmful substances. Individuals will address their issues and learn how to properly process and manage their experiences to avoid relapse.
This will all take place at a treatment center staffed with licensed medical professionals that are trained to best support an individual through recovery. There are many different treatment options available for an individual and they will create a treatment plan that fits them.
How long the treatment process takes depends on the severity of their dependence. 90 days or three months is around the minimum amount of time it normally takes to recover from substance abuse.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), receiving long-term treatment is one of the best methods to reinforce and avoid substance abuse. They recommend taking on treatment for longer than 90 days for the best retention and results from recovery.
Many individuals attempt to overcome addiction on their own which can lead to very dangerous consequences including overdose. As an individual stops substance use, their tolerance toward the drug begins to diminish.
An individual will experience withdrawals and may relapse as a way to cope with their experience. In this return to substance use, an individual may take their original dosage which is likely no longer appropriate for them with their lowered tolerance.
It is also likely for some individuals to turn to other substances as a way to cope with their situation which is negative to the recovery process. Substituting one substance for another substance can lead to changing the addiction rather than overcoming the addiction.
To properly and safely recover from Dexedrine addiction, an individual can undergo Dexedrine addiction treatment.
Many substances develop a physical dependence within an individual which requires individuals to go through a detoxification program. A medical detox is one of those programs.
Individuals in this program live on-site at a treatment location and are provided with 24 hour medical supervision assistance as an individual experiences withdrawals. This allows individuals to be provided support or medications to better manage their experience.
This also helps provide a safe environment for individuals to remove substances from their system without issue. After receiving this treatment, an individual is able to move forward in addiction treatment and recovery through inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Inpatient treatment is a form of residential treatment in which an individual must live on-site at a treatment center to receive treatment. Treatment centers will have professional medical advice, professional treatment advice, and other supporting treatment options to help individuals through recovery.
Living on-site also provides individuals with a comfortable, safe, and stable environment to grow and rebuild skills they may have lost. This is an important step to allow individuals to return to their lives.
Outpatient treatment is a form of treatment that provides an individual with more flexibility in their time. This is an option that allows individuals struggling with addiction to still receive treatment and continue maintaining their responsibilities such as school or work.
Outpatient treatment varies in intensity ranging from as intensive as inpatient treatment to also be less expensive compared to inpatient treatment and allowing individuals struggling financially to still receive treatment.
While some substances do have medications that can specifically help individuals struggling with dependence, Dexedrine and other stimulants do not have those medications. Behavioral therapy makes up the forefront of Dexedrine addiction treatment.
Behavioral therapy is a form of treatment in which an individual identifies behaviors to support positive behaviors and uproot negative behaviors. This is best implemented to assist individuals in healthy living styles that promote stability.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of many different kinds of behavioral therapy available to individuals. It works by utilizing the learning process to help individuals better manage issues that may arise in the future as well as current problems they have at the time of treatment.
Individuals learn coping strategies to manage things such as stress, anxiety, and cravings to better prevent relapse within them. CBT gives individuals a set of skills that allow them to manage their experience themselves and maintain recovery.
It can be difficult to find help for Dexedrine addiction while managing withdrawals, dependence, and mental health. Here at Find Addiction Rehabs, we make finding the help you need easy.
Whether finding a treatment center in your location or connecting you with recovery tools and resources, our hotline is available 24/7 to make sure you can get the help you need, anytime you need it.
If you or a loved one are struggling with Dexedrine use, call us today and we can help find you the right treatment! Give yourself a break, and reach out now!
