Last Updated:

May 16th, 2025

Dexedrine Addiction | Symptoms, Effects and Causes

Dexedrine is one of many medicines prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. While many people may not be as familiar with it compared to alternatives like Ritalin or Adderall, Dexedrine can be just as effective and as dangerous. Dexedrine addiction is an incredibly harmful condition which can affect both legal prescription users and drug misusers. Understanding how Dexedrine works and how and why it is addictive is important for its safe use.

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What is Dexedrine?

Dexedrine is an amphetamine medication given to people with ADHD or narcolepsy. It is the main brand name for dextroamphetamine, and it helps users concentrate better or stay awake by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

While Dexedrine can be highly effective when used correctly, it also has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Because of its stimulating effects, Dexedrine is sometimes misused for performance enhancement at school or work and even sometimes taken to get high like you would with illicit drugs.

Like other stimulant medications, potential Dexedrine side effects include:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Extreme anxiety
  • Dexedrine addiction
  • Teeth grinding
  • Erectile issues in men
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Tics

For these reasons, Dexedrine medication must be used only under the supervision of a healthcare provider to manage the risks effectively.

Ritalin vs Dexedrine

Ritalin is perhaps the best-known ADHD medication, but Dexedrine has some key similarities and differences. Both are central nervous system stimulants used to treat ADHD, but they contain different active ingredients.

Both medications can improve focus and attention and control impulsivity, but they may vary slightly in effectiveness and side effects. For example, Dexedrine generally has a longer duration of action than Ritalin, which might require multiple doses throughout the day.

The choice between them typically depends on how a person responds to each medication and their specific health needs.

What is Dexedrine addiction?

Dexedrine addiction means an overpowering urge to continue using the drug despite its detrimental effects. Abusing Dexedrine for performance enhancement or even for the genuine management of ADHD or narcolepsy symptoms can provide initial benefits.

However, as your system gets used to the presence of Dexedrine, it begins to depend on it more, driving you to use Dexedrine increasingly. This cycle can escalate, with more Dexedrine tablets required to feel “normal”. This increase is often gradual, making it difficult to recognise until the need becomes a full-blown compulsion to take Dexedrine.

Over time, your brain can also become dependent on Dexedrine, essentially forgetting how to operate without it. When you suddenly lower your dose or stop taking Dexedrine tablets altogether, it can shock your system. This often results in painful withdrawal symptoms, making the process of quitting Dexedrine daunting and frequently leading to relapse.On a psychological level, stimulant addiction can come to convince you of Dexedrine’s indispensable role in your life. This psychological grip only adds to the difficulty of withdrawal and creates a sense that life without Dexedrine would be impossible.

How to spot the warning signs of dexedrine addiction

Awareness is critical when using prescribed stimulants like Dexedrine to manage health conditions. Spotting these early Dexedrine addiction signs and symptoms can prevent serious complications and might even save your life:

  • Your typical dosage seems inadequate.
  • Worrying excessively about securing more stimulants.
  • Having frequent arguments with loved ones over your drug use.
  • Facing withdrawal symptoms like headaches or emotional lows when you stop.
  • Opting to use stimulants over attending to personal or professional responsibilities.
  • Tricking doctors into prescribing more stimulants.
  • Ignoring the detrimental health and relationship consequences to continue using.

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If these are red flags that are familiar to you, then professional help for Dexedrine addiction could save your life.

What causes Dexedrine addiction?

The enticing effects of stimulants like Dexedrine only scratch the surface of why some people abuse it and become addicted. In fact, there are many other factors which mean you may be more or less likely than others to develop a Dexedrine addiction. These may include:

Dexedrine abuse for performance
If you’re abusing Dexedrine to get ahead in school or meet demanding deadlines at work, it doesn’t take long until your regular dose isn’t cutting it anymore. This is because your body can get used to Dexedrine very quickly. Without realising it, you might start taking more and this can quickly lead to Dexedrine addiction as there is no doctor overseeing your use.
Dexedrine abuse for mental health
Stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, depression and other personal issues can all push you towards Dexedrine as a quick solution. Yet, without proper treatment for these mental health challenges, Dexedrine use can easily become habitual. Even for those initially using it to manage ADHD symptoms, there is also a real risk that dependency develops, blurring the line between medication and addiction.
Your genetics
Just as certain physical and personality traits are passed down through families, so can the tendency towards addiction. If your family history includes addiction, your own risk may be elevated if you start misusing Dexedrine.
Peer influence and environmental factors
Residing or being brought up in a household or community where drug use is normalised can make you think that it is safe. Similarly, in environments like universities or competitive workplaces, the pressure to keep up or fit in can make Dexedrine use more appealing.

What does Dexedrine do to your health?

Some people mistakenly believe that prescription drug addictions are less serious than those of illegal drugs. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as Dexedrine addiction can be incredibly dangerous. Some of the biggest risks include:

Overdose potential
Overdosing on Dexedrine or taking Dexedrine and alcohol together can result in critical conditions, including seizures, unconsciousness, cerebral haemorrhage and cardiac arrest.
Cardiovascular problems
Regular use of Dexedrine can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause life-threatening cardiovascular issues, including deadly heart attacks and strokes.
Escalation of mental health problems
Continuous Dexedrine abuse can deepen the severity of mental health issues, increasing the likelihood of experiencing paranoia, depression and even suicidal thoughts. Some people may also fall into an amphetamine psychosis, which between 5-15% never fully recover from.
Interrupted sleep cycles
Regular use of stimulants like Dexedrine can severely disrupt your normal sleep patterns, leading to ongoing insomnia and a perpetual state of exhaustion. This can also weaken your immune system and make mental health problems even worse.

How to help someone with Dexedrine addiction

Breaking away from Dexedrine addiction should start with a meticulously supervised prescription drug detox. This process focuses on slowly reducing your Dexedrine intake, helping your body adjust without the harsh effects of an immediate stop. Depending on your needs, your detox may also give you certain medicines aimed at reducing the withdrawal symptoms.

Post-detox, the next vital stage of recovery, involves a deep dive into the origins of your Dexedrine addiction. This crucial work happens in prescription drug rehab, where you can choose from private UK clinics to no-cost NHS facilities. Inpatient Dexedrine rehab is particularly valuable because it offers a comprehensive care environment that removes you from everyday triggers, allowing you to focus wholly on your rehabilitation.

Where to get help for Dexedrine addiction

Struggling with Dexedrine addiction? You don’t have to face it alone. Addiction Helper connects you with the right recovery programs tailored to your needs. Take the first step towards a healthier, addiction-free life—contact us today to explore your treatment options.

Reclaim Your Life Today

Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do users experience a metallic taste while on Dexedrine?
Dexedrine may cause a metallic taste because it can affect the taste receptors or alter your saliva production. This can change the way you perceive tastes which can create odd sensations like a metallic taste.
Why do some users feel “robotic” or emotionally numb on Dexedrine?
Feeling “robotic” or emotionally numb is a potential side effect of Dexedrine, particularly at higher doses. Dexedrine affects the brain’s dopamine levels, which can suppress natural emotional responses, leaving you feeling detached or spaced out.
Can Dexedrine addiction cause hair loss?
While not a common side effect, hair loss could possibly occur with Dexedrine use, especially in cases of long-term abuse. This could be due to the stress Dexedrine places on the body, nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances that may develop with chronic use.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • PubChem. “Dextroamphetamine | C9H13N | CID 5826 – PubChem.” PubChem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dextroamphetamine. Accessed 31 January 2025.
  • Shoptaw, Steven J., et al. “Treatment for Amphetamine Psychosis.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 2009, no. 1, 2009, p. CD003026, https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003026.pub3. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
  • Williams, Robert J et al. “Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine abuse in substance-abusing adolescents.” The American journal on addictions vol. 13,4 (2004): 381-9. doi:10.1080/10550490490483053