About Ritalin

The chemical methylphenidate is known as Ritalin, and it is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by altering the concentrations of certain natural compounds in the brain.

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Stimulants are a type of drug that includes methylphenidate. It can help you improve your attention span, stay focused on a task, and manage behavioral issues. It may also aid in task organization and the development of listening skills. This drug also treats a specific type of sleep disturbance (narcolepsy).

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It can be very addictive, especially if someone misuses or takes it differently than prescribed, like injecting or snorting it.

Abuse of Ritalin

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classes it as a Schedule II narcotic, which means it has a high potential for abuse.

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Ritalin addiction typically occurs when users take it for reasons other than medical necessity or over the prescribed dosage. Those who abuse Ritalin often take it to:

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• Loss weight

• Improve alertness or stay awake

• Get up there

Ritalin is often called a "smart drug," even though using methylphenidate to improve school performance is still a hot-button issue (Frati et al., 2015).

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Taken in ways other than what the doctor says, Ritalin users can get a "high" that isn't there when the users take it directly. When users snort Ritalin, for example, the effects can be similar to those of cocaine, which makes people feel happy.

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Indeed, Ritalin addicts often have a pattern of abuse that looks much like cocaine addicts. An intravenous drug dose can quickly cause a person to become dependent and addicted.