Ritalin Addiction Treatment

Ritalin addiction is becoming increasingly common as the drug itself is being prescribed more frequently to individuals struggling with ADHD. It is found that these stimulants excite the brain and paradoxically calm down the user's mind. While Ritalin can be an effective treatment for patients with ADHD, it is also addictive and often abused. As the drug is easy to acquire and relatively inexpensive, many teens and young adults often abuse Ritalin for its stimulant and euphoric effects.

Ritalin Addiction-

Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, lethargy and depression. Derived from amphetamines, Ritalin works by increasing the dopamine levels in the brain. Studies have found that Ritalin is a safe drug when taken as directed. As it is prescribed in a relatively safe dose in children with ADHD, it won't make children feel "high" or lead to addiction. However, the potential to abuse comes when those who don't have ADHD, take Ritalin without doctor's supervision. Teenagers and young adults take illicit doses of Ritalin to lose weight, to stay high or stay alert during exams. Using Ritalin in large amounts for extended periods of time can lead to physical and psychological dependency. Ritalin addiction may cause agitation, confusion, headache, nausea, rash, itching, mood swings, loss of appetite, aggressive behaviour, depression and other changes in their mental and emotional heath.

Ritalin addiction treatment-

The first key step in Ritalin addiction treatment is to recognize the problem. Once the patient recognizes that he/she has the problem, the recovery is faster. To date, no medications have been proven to be helpful in treating stimulant addiction. However, other therapies and methods are used to treat the signs of addiction.

Detox-

Before you start the Ritalin detoxification process, there are several things you need to know to get successful results. Quitting a stimulant addiction is not an easy process; the withdrawal process produces pain and discomfort which may lead to relapse the addiction. Hence, it is advisable not to quit abruptly.

Detox process is a program where the patient/addict undergoes withdrawal of the stimulant under medical supervision. Health professionals and medical staff constantly monitor your withdrawal symptoms and assist you in handling these painful symptoms. Specifically for Ritalin, the detox process usually takes 3 days to one week. In case the addict suffers from any symptoms, medications are prescribed to minimize suffering. During the detox process, medical professionals may over-the-counter drugs in reduced dosage to wean you off Ritalin. Weaning helps you to cope with the withdrawal symptoms so that you can carry out daily routine activities. Under medical supervision, you are advised which drugs to take and which ones to avoid. This will hasten the detox process and help you recover from addiction.

Along with the medications, nutritional status of the addicts is also evaluated. Nutrients, vitamins, minerals and a healthy diet- all of them are the part of detox process. Blood tests and urine tests are carried out regularly. During the detoxification process, the addict stays in the medical facilities and takes a long leave from work.

Therapy-

After detoxification, next part of the Ritalin addiction treatment focusses on therapy. Therapy involves interaction of addict with counselors where the addicts processes information and understands his new behavior without the drug. Therapy is carried out in group or individually. While the one-on-one therapy helps in recognizing and understanding the problem better, group sessions help him by relating to other addicts who have gone through the same addiction suffering. The goal of counseling is to teach behaviors and life skills and to prevent relapse. Some therapies also incorporate family members as they can be invaluable supporters once the patient gets out of therapy.

Aftercare-

Medical treatment facilities often continue to give their help even after the patient/addict has left the center. Aftercare is as important as the initial treatment because it helps in preventing the relapse.

12 step programs are the most preferred option due to its low cost. During these sessions, addicts are taught to tackle with their addiction and other long term problems associated with the withdrawal. Stimulant addiction is a chronic disease that requires long term management. Patience, commitment, time and strong support from friends and family play an important role in ensuring complete recovery from active addiction.