Ritalin

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Ritalin

All About Ritalin

Ritalin is Methylphenidate, which is a central nervous system Stimulant. ritalin tablets.jpg It is most often prescribed for psychiatric disorders and for narcolepsy.

Ritalin has been classified by the DEA as a schedule II Narcotic – meaning that it has a high risk of Addiction, but that it may have some accepted medical use. Other schedule II narcotics include Cocaine, speed (or Methamphetamine), and Opiates (including opium, oxycontin, Morphine, etc).

Other brand names for Methylphenidate include Concerta, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Ritalin LA, Ritalin-SR and Ritaline.

Street names for this Drug include Vitamin R, Kiddy coke, Jif, Rball, Rids, Rit, Ritz, Smart drug, Kibbles and Bits and Pineapple.

Ritalin History

Methylphenidate was first synthesized in the 1940s and was marketed as Ritalin in the 1960s. Sales of Ritalin rose significantly in the 1990s as more Americans were given the psychiatric diagnosis of ADD and ADHD.

Much controversy surrounds the use of Ritalin as a medical drug as it has many similar characteristics to other Amphetamines such as speed. For many years, several different groups have fought the prescription of Ritalin to children.

Recent medical tests have shown that children using Ritalin may develop heart conditions later in life. This is because Methylphenidate speeds up the heart along with stimulating the Central nervous system.

Additionally, Ritalin has a long history of abuse and has been sold to both children and adults by drug dealers as “watered down speed”. Recent news has reported athletes obtaining fake prescriptions for the drug as the various governing organizations have cracked down on amphetamine use. It has been reported that scientists have abused the drug to work longer hours. Additional reports can be found stating that nurses, teachers and pharmacists have stolen Ritalin from their places of business (teachers even going so far as to confiscate the drug from student lockers) – these professionals have then turned around and sold the drugs on the street.

Lastly, much speculation surrounds Ritalin being a gateway drug. Because of it’s designation as a Schedule II narcotic, many worry that Ritalin use will lead to illicit drug use.

Since psychiatrists and medical professionals do not know why Ritalin creates docile children and adults, many groups and individuals have decided to try alternative methods to aiding their loved ones in their recovery from ADD and ADHD.

Side Effects of Ritalin

Ritalin can cause serious side effects such as: heart palpitations, allergic reactions, dangerously high blood pressure, anorexia, severe headache, blurred vision, Hallucinations, abnormal behavior, violence, confusion or drug dependence.

Because Ritalin can severely affect the heart, it is not prescribed to children under 6 years old unless a doctor decides the potential benefits outweigh the potential damage.

Ritalin can also cause less serious side effects. These include restlessness, tremors, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation or impotence.

Signs of Overdose

Overdose symptoms can include: restlessness, tremor, dry mouth and nose, confusion, rapid breathing or panting, hallucinations, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, irregular or increased heartbeat, fainting, seizures or death.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Because Ritalin use can result in addiction after only a short period of use, withdrawal symptoms are possible when one attempts to cease using. Withdrawal symptoms can include: severe depression, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, delirium tremens (or “the shakes”), insomnia, lethargy, sweating, rapid pulse, hallucinations, anxiety or seizures.

Long term use of Ritalin may also cause the following physical symptoms: growth suppression, heart problems, kidney or lung problems, toxic paranoia, stroke or a weakened immune system.

If you are having trouble getting off of Ritalin, medically prescribed or otherwise, contact us today. We can help.

Definitions of Terms Used

Term	Description
Addiction	Strong physiological, emotional and/or psychological dependence on a substance such as alcohol or drugs that has progressed beyond voluntary control. For more on addiction see the section Addiction Information in this website.
Amphetamines	Stimulant drugs whose effects are very similar to cocaine.
Central nervous system	The brain and spinal cord.
Cocaine	A highly addictive stimulant drug derived from the cocoa plant that produces feelings of euphoria. Also see Crack.
Drug	Any substance, other than food, that changes the function or structure of the body or mind when ingested. Drugs essentially are poisons. The degree they are taken determines the effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant. A greater amount acts as a sedative. A larger amount acts as a poison and can kill one dead. This is true of any drug. Each has a different amount at which it gives those results.
Hallucinations	Perceptions of something (such as a visual image or a sound) that does not really exist. Hallucinations usually arise from a disorder of the nervous system or in response to drugs (such as LSD).
Methamphetamine	A commonly abused, potent stimulant drug that is part of a larger family of amphetamines.
Morphine	Morphine The most potent natural opiate compound produced by the opium poppy.
Narcotic	a drug (as codeine, methadone, or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether in fact physiologically addictive and narcotic or not
Opiates	Any of the psychoactive drugs that originate from the opium poppy or that have a chemical structure like the drugs derived from opium. Such drugs include opium, codeine, and morphine (derived from the plant), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, and meperidine (Demerol), which were first synthesized by chemists.
Overdose	The condition that results when too much of a drug is taken, making a person sick or unconscious and sometimes resulting in death.
Stimulant	A class of drugs that elevates mood, increases feelings of well-being, and increases energy and alertness. These drugs produce euphoria and are powerfully rewarding. Stimulants include cocaine, Methamphetamine, and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Withdrawal	Symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced or stopped.