Ritalin Uses, Misuses, Effects, and Treatment

What is Ritalin?

Ritalin is a brand name medication to help those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD affects the functions of the brain and nervous system and causes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It typically starts in childhood but can manifest in adulthood.

About 7 million children, or approximately 11% of U.S. kids ages 3-17, were diagnosed with ADHD in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these children, 53% were prescribed ADHD medication, 44% received behavioral therapy, and 30% received no ADHD-specific treatment.

Ritalin and Ritalin generics are also sometimes prescribed to adults to treat narcolepsy, a brain disorder that affects sleep-wake cycles.

Ritalin’s active ingredient is methylphenidate hydrochloride. This is a stimulant that impacts the central nervous system by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

The result is increased mental focus and attention. Ritalin can improve the user’s organization skills. But it also increases energy levels, decreases the need for sleep, and decreases appetite, so it may not be suitable for everyone who has ADHD.

Other side effects of Ritalin include headaches, nausea, and elevated blood pressure. Other impacts include anxiety and insomnia.

Given these side effects, Ritalin works best when used in conjunction with psychological and behavioral therapy to address impulsive behavior and improve coping skills.

Ritalin vs. Adderall

Another prescription stimulant for the central nervous system is Adderall. It’s also used to treat ADHD and is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two medications that also increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, just as Ritalin does.

However, Adderall also inhibits the reuptake of these neurotransmitters back into brain cells, which would allow more of these chemicals to be available. This action makes Adderall more potent than Ritalin.

In a 1999 comparison study between Adderall and Ritalin, Adderall’s effects lasted longer, even when used in lower dosages than Ritalin. But the researchers found that Ritalin reached its peak effect sooner than Adderall. Both Ritalin and Adderall come in short-acting and extended-release tablet and capsule formulations.

FAQs

Is Ritalin Addictive?

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has classified medications that contain methylphenidate as Schedule II controlled substances. This means they have a strong potential for abuse and for developing tolerance and physical dependency.

When used as prescribed by medical professionals, Ritalin is safe and effective. Another study has shown that appropriate use of these medications during adolescence doesn’t lead to greater risk for future substance use disorder.

But if misused or taken in higher doses than recommended, Ritalin can trigger a surge of dopamine that produces euphoric effects similar to that of other addictive stimulant drugs. This dopamine surge is why Ritalin is considered potentially addictive.

Ritalin addiction is more likely to occur when the tablets are crushed into powder and snorted or dissolved in water and injected.

How Long Does Ritalin Last?

Immediate-release Ritalin medication is the most prescribed formulation and lasts about 3-4 hours. It’s usually taken in 1-3 doses throughout the day. Extended-release versions of Ritalin can last from eight to 12 hours and may be taken just once a day.

Does Ritalin Cause Weight Loss?

Taking Ritalin may lead to weight loss. A 2023 review of Ritalin studies found that appetite and weight loss were frequently reported side effects among Ritalin users. Dosage amounts and the duration of Ritalin usage may affect the potential for weight loss.

Other factors that may influence weight loss while taking Ritalin include differences in body metabolism and co-occurring conditions such as an eating disorder or obesity.

How Much Ritalin Does It Take for an Overdose?

Ritalin overdoses can occur when the medication is misused by taking higher doses than prescribed or when it’s taken along with alcohol or other drugs.

Signs of an overdose include physical symptoms like tremors and involuntary, jerky movements. The user may experience heart palpitations and seizures. Behavioral symptoms can consist of displays of confusion and agitation. The user may become anxious or paranoid, which can accompany hallucinations.

Proper dosing of Ritalin is critical to avoid potential overdose. Appropriate dosing is a carefully managed process that requires the supervision of the prescribing medical professional. The amount per dose depends on the formulation’s strength, the number of doses per day, how long the medication has been prescribed, and any side effects that may be experienced.

Adult doses of immediate release Ritalin are typically not more than 60 mg per day. The maximum recommended daily dosage for some extended release formulations is up to 100 mg.

Fortunately, with appropriate medical care, fatalities from Ritalin overdose are rare. But should a Ritalin overdose occur, treatment involves managing agitation and cardiovascular symptoms. Benzodiazepines can be used to reduce agitation, anxiety, and rapid heart rates.

Signs and Symptoms of Ritalin Misuse and Abuse

Misuse or abuse of Ritalin can over-stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and lead to cardiovascular symptoms such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. It can exacerbate mood disorder symptoms, such as anxiety or depression in people with co-occurring disorders.

The risk for adverse symptoms is greater among people who take very high doses of the medication or who take it in inappropriate ways, such as crushing or snorting pills, or mixing the medication with liquid and injecting it.

People who don’t have prescribed Ritalin sometimes obtain it from family members or friends. People who have prescriptions for Ritalin sometimes share or sell part of their medication supply to others. When obtained this way, the lack of supervision or knowledge of proper dosing can lead to a dependency and substance use disorder.

Signs of Ritalin misuse or abuse include physical symptoms like vomiting, fatigue, and tremors. Their heart rate or blood pressure may increase due to cravings, and their appetite may decrease and weight drop. Behavioral signs can include nervousness and insomnia.

Dependency can also develop among users who have prescriptions. If a Ritalin user develops tolerance and more of the drug is needed to achieve the same effects, they may begin taking more of the medication than prescribed.

With continued misuse, a psychological dependence can develop as the person begins to prioritize use of the drug despite health issues or other negative consequences.

When a person has developed a tolerance or dependency to Ritalin but quits, the user may experience withdrawal. Common withdrawal symptoms include irritability, fatigue, depression, and trouble concentrating.

In more extreme cases, withdrawal symptoms include depression and suicidal tendencies.

Finding Help for Ritalin Addiction

Treatment for Ritalin use disorder typically includes psychological and behavioral therapy and may require detoxification in severe cases. Treatment options include the following:

Detox

Detox refers to the process of clearing the drug from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms through inpatient care or outpatient care. How long it takes for Ritalin withdrawal to complete depends on the dosage of the medication used, the frequency of usage, and how long the drug was misused.

Typically, physical withdrawal symptoms start within 1-2 days after the last use of the drug and peak in intensity within several days. Symptoms diminish within a couple of weeks but can last for several months.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication assisted treatment, or MAT is occasionally used to treat severe and long-term Ritalin dependency, even after detox is complete.

However, there are no medications that are currently FDA approved for stimulant use disorder. Medications used depend on the specific symptoms experienced. Severe Ritalin addiction may require inpatient treatment.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment with overnight stays in hospitals, clinics, or drug rehab centers provides 24/7 supervision with medical care.

In addition to detox, inpatient treatment usually features psychotherapy or counseling sessions and addiction and relapse prevention education.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment usually involves group counseling and education on drug addiction and relapse prevention. Individual counseling may be included as needed. 12-Step meetings are sometimes part of the programming.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

Partial hospitalization outpatient programs provide all day sessions, typically 4-5 days a week, and last about for about 8-12 weeks. Intensive outpatient programs offer 9-30 hours of treatment over 3-5 days a week and last for several months.

Aftercare

Aftercare consists of services that continue after a drug rehab program has ended to provide ongoing support and help prevent relapse. Aftercare often includes 12-Step meetings and social events for alumni. Aftercare typically lasts several months post-treatment.