Ritalin Addiction

Ritalin is a methylphenidate stimulant of the central nervous system. Methylphenidates exhibit similar effects and pharmacological uses to that of amphetamines and cocaine. Ritalin is produced in the form of tablets and capsules and is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy in children and adults. The drug comes in both extended-release and sustained-release formulations. When used appropriately and as prescribed, Ritalin is a relatively safe medication that induces a calming effect that helps patients concentrate on tasks.

Although Ritalin has shown considerable efficacy in treating ADHD, this medication also possesses a high potential for abuse. In the 1990s, the rise in demand for Ritalin resulted in a subsequent increase in abuse.

Ritalin improves alertness and concentration similar to that of amphetamines. Professional athletes and students often exploit this medication in the hopes of increasing their performance. According to drug classifications in the US, Ritalin is classified as a Schedule II substance due to its potential for abuse.

The use of Ritalin is considerably high in the US than in other countries due to its easy accessibility. Many of the students who are prescribed Ritalin tend to share or sell their medication to others to help them study or get high. Recreational users generally crush and either snort or inject their medication to achieve instant effects. The effects of Ritalin generally last between 3 to 4 hours. The half-life of Ritalin varies greatly depending on many factors such as the duration of use and method of consumption. However, Its half-life is approximately 2.5 hours for children and 3.5 hours for adults. Depending on factors such as the duration of Ritalin consumption, the half-life can reach up to 7.7 hours in some individuals.

Many abuse Ritalin to intensify the drug’s effects, such as euphoria since it is not achievable at therapeutic doses. Patients diagnosed with ADHD do not usually experience substantially higher energy levels while taking Ritalin. However, non-ADHD individuals often do so as they are affected differently by the medication. Individuals who abuse Ritalin by excessive amounts, without a prescription, or through snorting or injecting the drug, are at risk of generating adverse side effects, such as:

• Changes in blood pressure
• Overdose
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Suppressed appetite
• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Fatigue
• Altered heart rate
• Seizures
• Headache
• Agitation
• Respiratory depression
• Nervousness
• Hypersensitivity
• Panic Attacks

The side effects may vary based on whether or not the person is diagnosed with ADHD. Patients with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, who abuse Ritalin may encounter worse side effects. This is caused by Ritalin’s function as a central nervous system stimulant that can generate manic episodes in some individuals.

Like many stimulants, Ritalin raises the level of dopamine that reaches the neuron receptors in the brain. The brain reward system reinforces the behavior that stimulates the release of dopamine. However, patients with ADHD have high levels of dopamine transporters, which leads to low dopamine production in the brain. Ritalin inhibits these transporters and maintains dopamine at a healthy level, which results in increased attention, focus, and impulse control. Ritalin stimulates much higher levels of dopamine for those who do not have ADHD and cause the user to experience a sense of euphoria.

There are many signs that indicate a problematic use of Ritalin. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders outlines certain criteria to help diagnose an addiction to Ritalin and to measure its severity.

Signs of a Ritalin addiction are:

• Isolating oneself from family or friends.
• Encountering withdrawal symptoms during rapid dose reduction or abrupt cessation of the drug use.
• Spending way too much time in obtaining, using, and recovering from Ritalin.
• Experiencing urges to use Ritalin and constantly craving for the drug.
• Neglecting career, home, and school-related responsibilities.
• Continue using Ritalin, even when it causes problems at work, school, and home.
• Abandoning significant social, occupational, or recreational activities in favor of drug use.
• Using Ritalin over and over again, even when it endangers you.
• Keep using Ritalin even at the cost of physical or psychological wellbeing.
• Requiring higher doses of the drug to feel the desired effects.
• Experiencing sudden mood swings.
• Repeated failed attempts at controlling drug use.

Diagnoses of ADHD and ADD are increasingly common each year, and the prevalence of Ritalin increases with the number of diagnoses. The following statistics help show the magnitude of the problem:

• In 2011, 11 percent of children in the US were diagnosed with ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• More than 16 percent of college students take methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, for recreational purposes.
• The US produces and consumes about 85 percent of Ritalin’s supply worldwide.
• Around 5.9 million children were diagnosed with ADHD, for which the leading treatment is a prescription for Ritalin.
• The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) reported that 1.3 million teens have confessed to the misuse of Ritalin or Adderall.
• According to the DAWN Report from SAMHSA, the number of emergency room visits attributed to ADHD stimulant usage rose from 13,379 in 2005 to 31,244 in 2010.

The course of treatment may vary depending on when the person began using Ritalin. Those who have been prescribed Ritalin at a young age often find it harder to overcome physical and mental dependence as they have spent most of their young lives on it. Addiction treatment programs for Ritalin generally focus on addressing underlying behaviors and thought processes that initially caused Ritalin use and abuse.

Ritalin drug treatment programs also include behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help patients manage ADHD symptoms without the use of drugs. During addiction treatment, patients may also be prescribed non-addictive ADHD medications such as Strattera as it provides a safer and healthier alternative to using Ritalin and other stimulants. The mixture of psychotherapy and non-abusable drugs can help the patient develop safe coping strategies to manage the symptoms of ADHD.

There are many benefits of Ritalin addiction treatment, including:

• Helping you get your life back on track.
• Receiving appropriate support and guidance to battle addiction.
• Ability to communicate and process therapy experiences effectively while discovering the root causes of addiction.
• Ability to participate in family therapy and rebuild relationships.
• Education on the disease of addiction.
• Knowledge of healthy coping skills, including relapse prevention strategies.
• The ability to take the time you need to truly invest in yourself and improve your physical and mental health.

No two abusers of Ritalin are similar. Family circumstances, the nature of addiction, and psychiatric conditions factor in when determining the best treatment option for each patient. Depending on individual requirements, patients may benefit from choosing intensive outpatient programs or more flexible options like partial hospital programs. After the completion of detox and rehabilitation programs, patients must continue with treatment through aftercare programs to help avoid relapses.