1 Jul 2013

Here at Suncoast Rehab, we help people through addiction to any type of drug.  However, with abuse of prescription medications on the rise, we wanted to discuss one type of medication in particular – that used to treat ADHD.

Prescription drug addiction

Stimulants like Ritalin, Concerta, Focal XR, or Metadate CD are all used to treat ADHD.  They utilize the same drug called “methylphenidate”.  This drug is classified as a schedule II drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency.  Schedule II means that the drug is approved for very controlled medical use, that those who take it are prone to abuse it, and that it may lead to severe psychological or physical addiction.  Other drugs in this category are cocainemorphineoxycodone, and Adderall.  Other ADHD medications like Adderall, Dexedrine, and Vyvanase are made up of amphetamines, which are different from, but work in a similar way to methylphenidate.

The way ADHD medications affect the brain is very similar to the way cocaine affects it.  They increase the amount of the brain chemical which indicates pleasure or reward.  This brain chemical (called dopamine) floods the system and causes euphoria in the person taking it.  It also has the effect of increasing concentration in an individual for a brief period of time.

This, similarity to cocaine and its widespread abuse among school-aged children, has given Ritalin and other ADHD drugs the nickname “kiddie cocaine”. 

Many people abuse prescription stimulants by crushing the pill and snorting or injecting the drug. The effects of this abuse include:

  • Insomnia
  • Lack of appetite
  • Addiction
  • Unexplained hostility
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Increased blood pressure and heart rate
  • Blocked blood vessels
  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Suicidal tendencies
  • Death

Even when prescription stimulants are used on prescription, they can cause addiction and withdrawal problems. If these stimulants are abused, they are even more likely to create an addict.

In a 2012 study it was found that one out of every ten teens interviewed had abused a prescription stimulant or amphetamine.  These drugs are known by many different names.  Some of these names are: JIF, Crosses, Skippy, Skittles, Speed, Truck drivers, Kiddie coke, Diet coke, Smarties, Vitamin R, Rids, and R-ball.

There are a few reasons commonly given for abusing prescription ADHD medications instead of going to the streets and scoring cocaine or some other illegal narcotic.

First: Some believe abusing a prescription medication is safer than abusing something on the street.  This is patently untrue.  If a prescription is not for you, or you are taking a drug in a way or amount that is not prescribed, the drug is just as dangerous as something bought on the street.  You do not know the concentration of the drug, or how it will interact with your body.

Second: Prescription meds are easy to access.  Often, they can be stolen from the medicine cabinets of friends and family.

Third: Students sometimes abuse these drugs, claiming it helps them concentrate.  Since WW-II, amphetamine based drugs have been used by the military, by truckers and by students to avoid sleep and supposedly increase concentration -- often with disastrous effects (such as traffic accidents, mistaken military actions and physical deterioration).  Getting enough sleep, giving oneself enough time to study, and discussing difficulties with others can help get one through life much more effectively than a pill.

If you know someone who is suffering from addiction to ADHD medication or prescription stimulants, contact us today.  Our effective rehab program has helped many people through the withdrawal process, and back into a drug-free life.  Call us at (877) 850-7355.

Refs: National Institute of Drug Abuse, Drug Enforcement Agency, Interview, US News, DrugFreeWorld.org

 

NARCONON SUNCOAST

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION