What Does A Desoxyn High Feel Like?

While many people have heard of Adderall and Ritalin and understand that these stimulant medications can help relieve symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fewer have heard of the prescription medication Desoxyn.

Some may also be surprised to learn that this second-line treatment for ADHD, narcolepsy, and certain types of obesity contains the drug methamphetamine, a drug produced and sold illegally as crystal meth.

Like other amphetamine medications used in the treatment of ADHD, Desoxyn can be abused in various ways, and it produces a euphoric and dangerous drug high when taken in high doses.

A Desoxyn High

Methamphetamine is a powerful, long-acting central nervous system stimulant.

While the exact mechanism of its effects on the body and brain is unclear, the drug appears to indirectly disrupt or even reverse transporters that normally clear the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin from neural synapses.

This massively increases neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system for an extended period of time, which can trigger a wide range of different effects.

Stimulant Rush

If a large enough dose of the medication is taken rapidly enough, especially through crushing the pills and injecting, snorting, or smoking the powder, it can trigger a rush or flash.

This is a brief period of overwhelming pleasure as dopamine levels far exceed any normal, natural pleasures a person might experience.

It is also a severely addictive and dangerous event, and can trigger cardiac events or sudden death in certain cases.

Methamphetamine Intoxication

If the drug is absorbed into the body more slowly, or as a rush fades and the drug’s concentration in the body drops, Desoxyn can instead cause an extended period in which a person experiences pleasure and feels energized, powerful, and confident.

This state, known as methamphetamine intoxication, can last for several hours depending on the dose and how it was taken.

Specific effects on the body and mind can include:

• increased breathing rate
• increased heart rate
• irregular heartbeats
• increased body temperature
• high blood pressure
• mood changes or aggression
• reduced inhibition
• increased sex drive
• loss of appetite
• dry mouth
• constipation
• decreased need for sleep or rest
• “blunted” emotions and emotional relief from stress, worry, trauma, or insecurity

Comedown/Crash

Once the effects of a stimulant high fully wear off a person will likely feel tired, lethargic, worn out, depressed, and in pain.

Negative or even suicidal thoughts and feelings may occur, along with drug cravings that may be more or less intense depending on a person’s level of physical dependence or addiction.

Individuals may sleep for an extended period of time as their body attempts to heal and restore its internal balance.

Binging

To escape these comedown symptoms, individuals may use methamphetamine or other stimulant medications repeatedly, cycling between highs and lows until they run out of stimulants, or they no longer have any effect.

This process can sometimes go on for days, though this is much more common with illicit methamphetamine rather than pharmaceutical methamphetamine.

Tweaking

When a person has reached the end of a methamphetamine binge and the drugs are no longer having any effect, they may enter a stage known as tweaking, which is marked by symptoms including:

• psychosis (delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations)
• anxiety
• depression
• confusion
• panic
• skin picking and other self-harm
• movement problems
• violent or bizarre behavior

Desoxyn Vs. Other Stimulant Medications

Desoxyn, Adderall (amphetamine salts), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), Ritalin/Concerta (methylphenidate), and other CNS stimulant drugs are collectively classified as schedule II controlled substances, due to their shared abuse potential and risk of dependence and addiction.

However, methamphetamine is more potent than these more common options. And while this does allow it to be more effective in treating ADHD and other conditions, often with fewer side-effects, its high potential for diversion and substance abuse is even greater.

For this reason, prescribing physicians generally reserve Desoxyn as a backup and use it in cases where a person isn’t tolerating other treatment options, or if they aren’t having a strong enough effect.

Desoxyn Precautions

Desoxyn should not be used within 14 days of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a type of antidepressant. A serious and potentially fatal drug interaction may occur.

Desoxyn may also cause cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks, stroke, and sudden death. It should be used with caution or avoided by those with a family or personal history of heart problems, including heart abnormalities, hypertension, tachycardia, and others.

Other conditions that would cause Desoxyn to be avoided or used with caution include:

• Tourette’s syndrome
• glaucoma
• a personal or family history of mental health disorders
• peripheral vasculopathy
• seizures

Certain drug interactions may also occur. If you or a loved one abuse multiple prescription drugs, addiction treatment can likely help.

For information on detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient treatment programs, please contact Northeast Addictions Treatment Center today.