Ritalin Abuse

In this day and age, drugs are being prescribed without hesitation. In fact, many of these drugs are being prescribed for children with various disorders. One of these disorders is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). An estimated five to ten percent of children are diagnosed with this syndrome (Taylor 11). One of the methods to treat this disorder is to use stimulants, specifically Ritalin. This method is controversial because it has many side effects and its long-term effects are unknown. It can also lead to addiction. Approximately two to three percent of elementary school children are taking some kind of stimulant to treat ADHD (Taylor 64). Since so many children are taking this medication, new problems have arisen.

Most Americans have heard of Ritalin and Adderall, either being used to calm hyperactive children or used illegally across every college campus for the purpose of studying. These are two completely different circumstances, which may be confusing to some. The reason that these two different groups of people get two vastly different results from the same drug is that these belong to the drug class of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. CNS stimulants increase alertness mentally and physically, but do the opposite for those with hyperactivity disorders. This is because these drugs release dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is related with motivation (Healthline Editorial Team).

Many drugs have been developed to treat ADD and ADHD. One of these drugs is Methylphenidate otherwise known as Ritalin. It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of ADD and ADHD. Use of Ritalin is up 700 percent since 1990 (ABC News). Other drugs also used in treatment of ADD and ADHD include Zoloft, Praxil, and Cylert. Ritalin is a drug that is used to restore neurotransmitters in those that lack or have malfunctioning nerve impulses in the

Medicine such as, Amphetamine is a stimulant. Methylphenidate (Ritalin), is commonly used to treat ADHD disorder. Studies are always changing to inform readers. Many side effects from the medication will always be the challenge for most that are diagnosed with the disorder. Although with the side effects, the

Ritalin and other drugs used to treat children with ADHD and ADD have been given a lot of negative and some positive press over the years, but what is alarming is the statistics which I discovered from Suellen May, the editor of Understanding Drugs: Ritalin and Related Drugs: “In 1996, an estimated 1.5 million American schoolchildren (approximately 3-5% of all U.S. schoolchildren) were taking Ritalin daily” (9). The number clearly doubled over the years, which indicates that the use of Ritalin is increasing tremendously in America. With this in mind, while some feel that Ritalin is helpful overtime, the numbers show that Ritalin is actually not the best treatment for those who suffer from ADHD or ADD.

Ritalin, similar to Adderall, prevents norepinephrine and epinephrine from being absorbed, keeping the neurotransmitters active in the brain. Although very similar to Adderall, Ritalin does not have the potential of increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters, making the dopamine transporters

The next big drug close to Ritalin is Adderall. In the New York Times article “Workers seeking productivity in a pill are abusing ADHD Drugs” by Alan Schwartz talk more about people out there working in the work force instead of college students and exams. This drug does not affect one certain group of people, it affects everyone. Most people do take Adderall to improve their work performance. (Schwartz) These drugs can have effects on you like anxiety, addiction, and hallucinations when taken in high doses. This making it harder for people to work. (Schwartz) These people are given drugs by their doctors, friends, and dealers. But most people say these drugs that they take are not from them to get high but for them to get hired. Some industries have banned the use of these stimulants. (Schwartz) It's

The brand name for Ritalin is methylphenidate, a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. Its primary use is to stimulate the brain and improve concentration, therefore helping the child control impulsive behaviour and overactivity (Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne 2010).

Today there is a great argument regarding the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD and who has the right to decide what happens. ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in young children. This is also one of the most common public health problems that we have today. There is an extreme rise of the prescription medicine Ritalin that doctors are prescribing to help with this specific type of disorder. Many adults believe that this medication is a "quick fix" that is not harmful to their children. When Ritalin is prescribed, it is to be introduced to the body in slow, steady doses, which simulates the brain's natural dopamine production. Parents of children that are diagnosed or have symptoms of ADHD may be unaware of recent

Ritalin is currently prescribed to approximately six million people in the US. Of those six million, 75% of these are children, with boys receiving Ritalin about four times more often than girls. Ritalin is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It interacts with chemicals in the brain and nerves that give way to hyperactivity and impulse control. Not only is Ritalin used to treat ADD and ADHD, it is also used to treat a sleeping disorder called Narcolepsy, which is an uncontrollable desire to sleep, but there is another drug that given just as Ritalin, and it is called Adderall. Adderall is almost the exact same as Ritalin except it actually enters the cell and helps it produce more dopamine.

To add to that, the research that has been conducted on the disorder has led to a variety of effective treatments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2014) the most widely used medication is a stimulant. There is a wide variety of stimulants available for ADHD subjects. Although, with these stimulants come side effects including sleep problems, decreased appetite, anxiety and other diverse uncommon side effects (NIMH, 2014). Stimulants tend to calm children with ADHD. However, these medications can be detrimental to the patient in many ways. Certain medications have been subject to abuse, including Adderall and Ritalin. These medications are in some cases abused by patients who are over diagnosed. Since these patients do not have the disorder they can feel the side effects and use the drug to achieve a certain kind of high. When using these drugs for non-medical purposes they can seem to replicate the effects of cocaine

According to the FDA website, Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is available in extended-release oral suspension or capsule: Ritalin XR or LA( do not crush, chew or break), sustained release: Ritalin SR, immediate release tablet: Ritalin IR ( chewable and soluble form), transdermal system ( Daytrana)

The medication covered in this article is called Ritalin, by brand name, and Methylphenidate or Methylphenidylacetate hydrochloride are the generic names. Ritalin can be habit-forming and with over-extended use a tolerance is built up, requiring more of the drug to be taken in order to feel the same effects. A person using this medication can develop severe depression just from suddenly stopping this drug after their overuse of it. To get off of this medication, it requires gradual dosage lowering and monitoring by a physician to lessen negative withdrawal effects, (MedlinePlus, 2016).

2. Sub Point: Methylphenidate is the next type of drug, marketed under the name Ritalin.

Those children that are diagnosed with ADHD are usually prescribed psycho-stimulant medications, such as ‘methylphenidate’, otherwise known as ‘Ritalin’, as the primary method of treatment. (Chandler, 2010).