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Symptoms of Ritalin Addiction

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Ritalin has helped countless people with true ADD or ADHD symptoms. It helps them be able to focus on school, pay better attention at work and make their lives work in a way that wasn’t possible before they used Ritalin. As the drug has become more prescribed over the years, Ritalin has also made its way on to the black market as a recreational drug. When recreationally abused, Ritalin has the potential to be addictive.

What are some of the common Ritalin addiction symptoms? And how can you or someone you care about can get help? These are just two of the questions for which you’ll find answers below.

Ritalin: Chemical Cousin of Meth

Meth chemical modelRitalin has amphetamine as its key active ingredient. That means it’s a close chemical cousin to methamphetamine and other stimulants. You might be surprised to know that chemically speaking, a person’s body doesn’t distinguish Ritalin from cocaine or meth. When a person takes a large amount of Ritalin in a quick-dose manner (like crushing pills and snorting them), his body can get the same type of high he would get using cocaine or meth. Sound scary?

When used properly and under close supervision, Ritalin does what it is supposed to do for people with imbalanced chemistry in their body. The stimulant properties of Ritalin trigger endorphins, which allows the person’s attention skills to work properly. It doesn’t make them high; it just fills in some chemical blanks in a physiological process. It’s the unsupervised abuse of the drug that people need to be concerned about.

You have probably heard and read plenty about cocaine junkies or meth labs all across the United States. Unfortunately, a person abusing or misusing Ritalin has the potential to live a similar drug lifestyle if the behavior continues over time. Ritalin addiction symptoms are very close to those of cocaine and methamphetamines.

When Ritalin is abused, these side effects can increase and become life threatening. Some of the symptoms of Ritalin abuse are:

  • Loss of Appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Skin Rashes and Itching
  • Weight Loss
  • Abdominal Pain

One of the main side effects of Ritalin addiction is the severe withdrawal symptoms and depression that happens when the drug is withdrawn. If you notice these symptoms in a friend or loved one, it is time to get help.

Ritalin Abuse and Drug Seeking Behavior

A person who is addicted to a drug will do just about anything to get it. For a teenager, perhaps the easiest place to get drugs is through their peers. How drug sellers obtain the drugs doesn’t matter to users. They may go to several sources depending on how well the supply is stocked. For people who are legal adults, doctor shopping might become part of the strategy to get the number of pills they need. Because amphetamine drugs can be so quickly addictive, drug seeking behavior can become all-consuming. If the need for a high is great enough, an addicted person will ditch school, work, or family obligations if necessary to get drugs.

Dramatic Mood Swings and Sleep Disruption Ritalin Symptoms

Because the user seeks a high, they inevitably come down. This can disrupt their sleep patterns and affect mood stability. Ritalin addiction symptoms can include panic, anxiety, and aggression during mood swings. You might also see problems concentrating, irritability, and some disorientation.

Ritalin Abuse Symptoms

If you see these kinds of Ritalin addiction symptoms, even if your child or loved one doesn’t have a prescription for Ritalin, contact a drug rehab center such as Michael’s House. Let us know what you’ve seen and your concerns. We can help you take the right steps to address Ritalin addiction symptoms. For more information, give us a call today.

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