http://www.drug-rehabs.org/faqs/FAQ-ritalin.php
Ritalin Addiction
Ritalin addiction is a very serious and sometimes life threatening dilemma. Not
only is it difficult for the addict, it is extremely hard on those around them
who care about them. For the addict, admitting they have an addiction problem
can be difficult. However painful this may be, it must be acknowledged as the
first gradient to overcoming the problem. The next hurdle is being willing to
seek & accept help from an addiction professional. It can be hard for an addict
to confront the fact that they can not do it alone. Once this fact is accepted,
it is time to seek the appropriate professional treatment. Drug rehab programs
based on the social education modality are highly successful. This means that
individuals who are recovering from Ritalin addiction are not made wrong for
their past indiscretions, but are taught how to avoid future ones. They are
provided with knowledge on how to change their lives and how to live
comfortably without Ritalin. Receiving treatment for addiction should be done
in a safe & stable environment that is conducive to addiction recovery.
Research studies show that residential treatment programs of at least 3 months
in duration have the best success rates. 3 months may seem like a long time,
but one day in the life of an individual addicted to Ritalin can feel like an
eternity. Addiction is a self imposed hellish slavery. The chains can be broken
people do it everyday. You can be free!
Drug rehabilitation is a multi-phase, multi-faceted, long term process.
Detoxification is only the first step on the road of addiction treatment.
Physical detoxification alone is not sufficient to change the patterns of a
drug addict. Recovery from addiction involves an extended process which usually
requires the help of drug addiction professionals. To make a successful
recovery, the addict needs new tools in order to deal with situations and
problems which arise. Factors such as encountering someone from their days of
using, returning to the same environment and places, or even small things such
as smells and objects trigger memories which can create psychological stress.
This can hinder the addict's goal of complete recovery, thus not allowing the
addict to permanently regain control of his or her life.
Almost all addicts tell themselves in the beginning that they can conquer their
addiction on their own without the help of outside resources. Unfortunately,
this is not usually the case. When an addict makes an attempt at detoxification
and to discontinue drug use without the aid of professional help, statistically
the results do not last long. Research into the effects of long-term addiction
has shown that substantial changes in the way the brain functions are present
long after the addict has stopped using drugs. Realizing that a drug addict who
wishes to recover from their addiction needs more than just strong will power
is the key to a successful recovery. Battling not only cravings for their drug
of choice, re-stimulation of their past and changes in the way their brain
functions, it is no wonder that quitting drugs without professional help is an
uphill battle.
As an organization we are dedicated to finding the correct solution for your
specific addiction problem. Our referral list contains over 3,000 resources
which encompass the following treatment categories :
Ritalin Detox Center
Ritalin Rehab
Ritalin Treatment
Ritalin Addiction Treatment
Ritalin Addiction Counseling
Meetings
Ritalin In-Patient Treatment
Ritalin Out-Patient Treatment
In 1990, 900,000 American kids were on Ritalin. Today some estimate the total
number of children on Ritalin has increased to 4 - 5 million or more per year
America now uses 90% of the world's Ritalin - more than five times the rest of
the world combined.
Emergency room visits by children ages 10-14 involving Ritalin intoxication
have now reached the same level as those for cocaine which indicates escalating
abuse of this highly addictive drug.
80% of children on Ritalin are boys. Q) What is Ritalin?
A) Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant, similar to
amphetamines in the nature and duration of its effects. It is believed that it
works by activating the brain stem arousal system and cortex.
Pharmacologically, it works on the neurotransmitter dopamine, and in that
respect resembles the stimulant characteristics of cocaine. When taken in
accordance with usual prescription instructions, it would be classified as
having mild to moderate stimulant properties, but when snorted or injected it
has a strong stimulant effect. Ritalin is manufactured by CIBA-Geigy
Corporation, and is supplied in 5 mg., 10 mg., and 20 mg. tablets, and in a
sustained release form, Ritalin SR as 20 mg. tablets. It is readily water
soluble and is intended for oral use. It is a Schedule II Controlled Substance
under both the federal and Indiana Controlled Substances Acts. Since Ritalin is
a Schedule II Controlled Substance, the federal government strictly regulates
the amount that may be manufactured, through a system of rigid manufacturing
quotas.
Q) How is Ritalin used?
A) When abused, Ritalin tablets are taken orally, crushed and then snorted, or
dissolved in water and "cooked" for intravenous injection.
There are numerous reports in medical journals about permanent and irreversible
lung tissue damage related to injection of crushed Ritalin tablets.
In order to make the 5- to 20 mg. dose tablets large enough to handle easily,
at least 100 mg. of "inert ingredients" are added to the tablets to increase
their size. Depending upon size and formulation, the following inert
ingredients are found in Ritalin tablets, according to the manufacturer:
lactose, starch, polyethelene glycol, magnesium stearate, sucrose, talc,
cellulose, mineral oil, and various dyes and conditioning agents. While these
ingredients are "inert" when taken by mouth, they can cause serious problems
when injected or snorted.
Health Consequences of Intravenous and/or Injection Drug Use
The hypodermic syringe was designed to deliver a concentrated dose of a drug
quickly and efficiently. In doing so, it bypasses many of the body's natural
defense mechanisms such as the skin, respiratory cilia, digestive acids, etc.
The syringe allows anything in it (drugs, dust, bacteria, pollen, allergens,
yeasts, viruses, fillers, etc.) to pass directly into the blood and body
tissues. The rapid delivery of drugs via injection makes it difficult for the
user to control the intensity of the drug effect, thus making toxic overdoses
more likely.
When drugs are prepared for injection by a street user, dust, dirt, and other
contaminants fall into the liquid. Bacteria, talc, lint, and other particles
are injected along with the drug. The "inert ingredients" that manufacturers
include to increase the bulk may be harmless when taken by mouth, but talc,
cellulose, mineral oil, and sugars (among other fillers) can create serious
problems when injected directly into veins or body tissues. Complications from
injection drug use include:
drug overdoses and toxic overdose reactions
blood clots from scar tissue, particles in the liquid, cotton and lint fibers,
etc.
infections ("blood poisoning," abscesses, hepatitis, AIDS, etc.)
scars ("tracks" and adhesions)
pulmonary problems ("addict's lung," embolisms, etc.)
skin and circulatory problems
Health consequences of Snorting Drugs (Intranasal Insufflation)
The delicate epithelial tissues that line the nasal cavities and air passages
may be damaged by direct contact with drugs. Ritalin tablets contain the
hydrochloride salt of methylphenidate and yield dilute hydrochloric acid when
they come into contact with moisture. While this is not a problem in the
stomach (hydrochloric acid is one of the digestive acids used in the stomach),
in the nasal passages the acid can "burn" the delicate nasal tissues, resulting
in open sores, nose bleeds, and possibly in deterioration of the nasal
cartilage. Q) What are the side effects of Ritalin?
A) The side effects of Ritalin addiction include but are not limited to:
drug addiction
nervousness and insomnia
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
dizziness
headaches
changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but
occasionally depression)
skin rashes and itching
abdominal pain
weight loss
digestive problems
toxic psychosis
psychotic episodes
severe depression upon withdrawal High doses of stimulants produce a
predictable set of symptoms that include:
loss of appetite (may cause serious malnutrition)
tremors and muscle twitching
fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe)
irregular heartbeat and respiration (may be profound and life threatening)
anxiety, restlessness
paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions
excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks
formicaton (sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin) While death due
to non-medical use of Ritalin is not common, it has been known to occur.
Q) What are the symptoms of Ritalin overdose?
A) Symptoms of Ritalin overdose may include: Agitation, confusion, convulsions
(may be followed by coma), delirium, dryness of mucous membranes, enlarging of
the pupil of the eye, exaggerated feeling of elation, extremely elevated body
temperature, flushing, hallucinations, headache, high blood pressure, irregular
or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, sweating, tremors, vomiting.
A growing number of youngsters taking the drug Ritalin® (methylphenidate)
experience overdose, researchers report. The study looked at the frequency of
Ritalin overdose cases reported to a regional poison control center in Detroit.
Children ages 6 to 9 years were at the greatest risk of overdose, compared with
other age groups. Over a two-year period, 289 cases were reported. Of these,
31% developed symptoms. Most common adverse effects included tachycardia,
agitation and lethargy. Most cases were due to parents or caregivers
unintentionally giving patients excessive amounts of the drug.