Ritalin, abuse addiction

Stimulants (amphetamines [Adderall, Dexedrine] and methylphenidate [Concerta, Ritalin]) increase alertness, attention, and energy. They also increase blood pressure and heart rate, constrict blood vessels, increase blood glucose, and open up the pathways of the respiratory system. Historically, stimulants were prescribed to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, and a variety of other ailments. As their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent, the prescribing of stimulants by physicians began to wane. Now, stimulants are prescribed for treating only a few health conditions, most notably ADHD, narcolepsy, and, in some instances, depression that has not responded to other treatments. 

Ritalin became popular primarily because it was not an amphetamine. Amphetamines were known to have the potential for abuse and addiction. The potential for abuse of and addiction to Ritalin was still unknown. Ritalin was also preferred because it had been shown in many studies to have a rapid positive effect on children s performance, it remained in the bloodstream for only a few hours, and it had no negative effect after the children stopped taking the drug. 

Ritalin has been hailed by many parents and teachers as a miracle pill once described by its makers (Novartis, formerly Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals) as a mild central nervous system stimulant and by the New York Times as a mild stimulant that is roughly [equivalent to] a jolt of strong coffee. 24 These statements belie the fact that Ritalin has been known, since it was first marketed in the mid-1950s, to be a highly addictive drug subject to widespread abuse. 

When used regularly, Ritalin produces tolerance, psychological dependence, and withdrawal symptoms—the three characteristics that define addiction. As with other stimulants, Ritalin addiction is particularly rapid. In fact, individuals who abuse stimulants may become addicted in a much shorter period of time than abusers of alcohol or sedative drugs. 

Despite this evidence, most Ritalin advocates deny the drug s potential for abuse. For example, Russell Barkley, the author of Taking Charge of ADHD, states, No, Ritalin is not addictive—when taken orally. For this drug to be potentially addictive, it has to be crushed and inhaled nasally, or injected, and that has to be done repeatedly. He also claims that there is no risk of addiction when the drug is taken orally as prescribed. 29... 

Although addiction in children who take low-dose Ritalin pills orally and in a medical context is not common, this does not mean that Ritalin cannot be abused. Of all prescription drugs, Ritalin is the first choice of abuse on college campuses. Its availability, low price, and familiarity may contribute to its popularity. 

Controlled stimulants that are frequently abused include amphetamines, methylphenidate, metham-phetamine, and cocaine. Amphetamine, methamphet-amine, methylphenidate, and cocaine can be smoked, inhaled, ingested, and injected. Methamphetamine s effects can last up to 6 h. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a sustained release product and can last up to 12 h. Cocaine s effects last only about 1 h. These drugs have significant potential for abuse and addiction. 

In the United States, methylphenidate is classified as a controlled substance, with medical value but also a high potential for abuse. People abuse MPH by crushing the tablets and snorting them to produce the high. Ritalin has the same problem as cocaine or amphetamine in leading to possible addiction. As the number of children taking Ritalin has increased, it is at times over-prescribed to sedate problem schoolchildren to stop their disrupting class. 

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