Ritalin – the good, the bad and the ugly
Next – the ugly
The abuse potential for stimulant medications are real. When used in the doctor prescribed manner and dosage there is little danger in this regard, however when “snorted” the effects are reported to be similar to snorting cocaine. In fact cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are very closely related.
Larger doses give feelings of:
- euphoria
- more energy / power
- sense of power
- mental sharpness
As the effects wear off there is:
- heightened fatigue
- poor concentration
- irritability
- depression
- craving for more
Persistent abuse can lead to:
- psychotic episodes
- paranoid behaviour
- hallucinations
- bizarre behaviour
- sudden death
Most people do not view stimulant medications as potentially dangerous or unsafe because it is prescribed to children. This assumption is incorrect as there are over 150 studies documenting abuse problems with amphetamine. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics – 1997 states “Ritalin is a highly addictive drug”
So does Ritalin use predispose an individual to later drug abuse?
There is no conclusive answer to this question as valid studies support both possible answers. What is clear however is that stimulant medications do not cure ADD / ADHD. They can reduce the symptoms as long as it remains active in the body . There is no evidence of long term improvement as a result of stimulant medication alone.