Search
Close this search box.

Ritalin Abuse

Plus signs

Teen Ritalin use suppresses appetite, increases wakefulness, and enhances focus and attention. Therefore, it is abused by teens seeking to lose weight or improve their academic or sports performance. However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), research has shown that students who abuse prescription stimulants actually have lower GPAs in high school and college than those who don’t.

What Is Ritalin Abuse?

Ritalin abuse is the misuse of the prescription drug Ritalin, containing the stimulant methylphenidate, which is typically prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as narcolepsy. Like all stimulant drugs, Ritalin works by increasing levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and attention. These effects create a Ritalin high.

Ritalin side effects also include increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, and reduced sleep and appetite. Ongoing use of the drug due to Ritalin addiction can lead to malnutrition, feelings of hostility and paranoia, and eventually serious cardiovascular complications, including stroke. A NIDA study showed that Ritalin abuse may lead to physical changes in neurons in the reward regions of the brain.

The effects of Ritalin vs. Adderall are similar, since both are stimulant drugs. However, Adderall contains two different drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Nevertheless, abuse of these drugs occurs for similar reasons and has a similar impact on teen mental health and physical health. NIDA reports that 2 percent of high school seniors report taking part in Ritalin abuse, while 7 percent report abusing Adderall.

Sources: National Institute on Drug AbuseNational Institutes of Health

It's Time to Make a Change

We Can Help You on Your Path to Mental Wellness

Teens smoking weed out of a bong; in need of treatment for THC dependency.
Clinical

Understanding THC vs. CBD: A Guide for Concerned Parents

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of substance use, parents and guardians may find themselves uncertain, trying to understand the intricate world of cannabis products, whose popularity among teenagers has seen

A young lady suffering from depression due to highly stressful school work.

School Stress and Teen Depression: Navigating the Challenges

Table of Contents Understanding the mental health challenges faced by our teenagers is a real concern for many parents and guardians. The journey through adolescence is often paved with various pressures, among which school-related stress stands prominent. This stress, if

A young female teen vaping while at school.

Physical Signs That Your Teen Is Vaping Too Much

Table of Contents Parents and guardians across the United States share a growing concern that resonates deeply—a concern for the well-being of their teenagers amidst the widespread phenomenon of vaping. Raising teenagers in today’s world, where the allure of vaping

Two teens smoking weed; they are in need of treatment.

Treatment and Support for Teens Struggling With THC Use

Cannabis is one of the most frequently used recreational drugs in the world with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimating that 192 million of the global population used it in 2020 [1]. The prevalence of cannabis use