The ABCs - Ritalin (Methylphenidate)

Ritalin® is the brand name for the medication methylphenidate. When abused, it stimulates the mind and body in much the same way as amphetamines and cocaine.

Doctors use Ritalin to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). No one knows exactly how it works, but it seems to help an ADHD-affected person pay attention to tasks and reduce impulsive and hyperactive behaviour. It has become a popular way to control difficult behaviours in children, especially at school. It is also used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder.

There is concern that some adults as well as youths are abusing Ritalin to get high. The way abusers obtain Ritalin can also cause problems. Some children are bullied into giving up their medication, and some abusers steal it.

People who abuse Ritalin usually crush it into a powder. They snort it, or dissolve and inject it.

Illegally possessing or selling methylphenidate is a criminal offense. Convictions result in fines, prison sentences and criminal records.

Effects of Short-Term Use

• If you abuse Ritalin, you might feel euphoric ("high"), even at low doses. If you take high doses of Ritalin, you may get exhilarated and excited. 
• Ritalin can make you feel more alert, or make you drowsy. You may have trouble sleeping. Sometimes, Ritalin can make you feel less tired right away, but very tired later.
• You may lose your appetite, feel nauseous and vomit.
• You might also get a headache and fast, irregular heartbeat. It can make you feel dizzy or nervous.
• You can also find physical movements are more difficult. 
• High doses can make you agitated, confused, and paranoid (believing that people are out to get you). You might also hallucinate (imagine things that are not really there).
• With high doses, your muscles twitch, your pupils dilate, you turn red and your heart beats faster and harder. Your mouth gets dry and you might throw up. You might run a fever and start sweating.
• Very high doses can make you delirious. You could go into seizures, and even coma.
• Anyone who injects drugs and shares needles runs the risk of bacterial and viral infections including hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

Effects of Long-Term Use

• Children who are given Ritalin for attention deficit problems usually become less hyperactive. They are more able to pay attention, finish tasks and think about their actions before acting. They often do better in school.
• The most common side-effects of long-term Ritalin use include nervousness and trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, stomach ache, headache and dizziness. 
• There is some evidence that long-term use can suppress growth in children.
• People who inject high doses of Ritalin daily can become paranoid. This seems to go away when they stop using the drug.
• If you abuse drugs, even medications, you can develop serious personal problems. Using drugs can become more important than your family and friends. You may continue using even when your job or schoolwork is suffering, or when you run into financial, spiritual or legal problems. Young people who frequently abuse drugs may not learn how to solve problems, handle their emotions, and become mature, responsible adults.

Ritalin and Addiction

People who abuse Ritalin for a long time will eventually need more to get the pleasant effects. They can become dependent on the way it makes them feel. They may panic if they are unable to get more, and crave it if they try to stop using it. They can also become physically dependent. When they stop using, they can feel exhausted and severely depressed.

For more information contact your local AADAC office or call the AADAC Help Line at 1-866-33AADAC (Alberta only).