While Dexedrine was once used for a variety of purposes in the mid to late 1900s, it has since been classified as a controlled substance that is used mostly to treat patients with ADD or similar disorders. Those who suffer from Dexedrine addiction are just as likely to be obtaining the drug through illegal channels to satisfy a Dexedrine addiction as they are to be getting it through a real prescription.

Let's start with some of the legitimate reasons that this drug used to be used for, since they happen to be the same side effects that many people today seek the drug out for illegally:

While it is controlled these days and cannot be added into weight loss supplements as was the common practice in the 1900s, many people develop a Dexedrine addiction after seeking the drug from illegal sources to help stimulate weight loss. Often, it is a drug of choice for college aged students who need to keep their energy levels up while living a hectic, sleepless lifestyle. This age group may also enjoy the weight loss benefits that come with Dexedrine addiction as well.

Dexedrine addiction is extremely serious today, but there is a slight upside to this type of addiction as well. While many other drugs that are highly addictive can have very serious consequences for the health and even the life of the addicted, the consequences of this drug tend to be more mental than physical.

Even the withdrawal symptoms that are typically experienced upon entering a rehab program tend to be largely emotional, rather than the physical illnesses that come with crack addiction and other hard core street drugs.

For instance, while someone in a rehab program to withdrawal from crack may throw up, shake uncontrollably, and sweat profusely, someone in the program to withdrawal from Dexedrine addiction is more likely to feel extremely tired and worn out and have some very strong emotional outburst.

Withdrawing from Dexedrine addiction is more like a very serious hangover than a possible life threatening circumstance.

Yet, this doesn't mean that Dexedrine addiction is any less serious than crack addiction or other dependencies on a chemical substance. Anyone concerned that someone they love may be suffering from a Dexedrine addiction should look for unusual sleep patterns, rapid weight loss, and spikes in mood and energy levels that cannot otherwise be explained.

Of course, not everyone who suddenly hits an unbelievably good mood or loses a little weight should be accused of having a Dexedrine addiction. Other common signs of drug abuse should also be considered.

Dexedrine is a controlled substance, but it is not any harder to get a hold of today than any other controlled drug with street value. Wherever there are willing addicts ready to pay for their next dose, there will be someone able and willing to get a hold of those drugs for resell purposes.