Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat hyperactivity, lack of focus and diagnosed cases of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). When used correctly, it can dramatically improve the lives and productivity of those who take it. However, this relatively inexpensive drug also produces a "high" similar to that of cocaine in many people, which has led to widespread abuse.
History
Ritalin was created almost 60 years ago using a combination of caffeine and ephedrine. When the drug was tested on lab rats, the animals became calmer and more focused. The drug was originally introduced in 1950 as a treatment for hyperactivity. The drug has continued to be popular for treating children with ADD and ADHD, but there has long been great controversy surrounding the drug's effects on children and its temptation for adults.
Effects
Ritalin works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps brain cells communicate with each other and with the rest of the body. When dopamine levels rise, you are able to focus better, stay awake and concentrate longer on tasks. However, when people who do not have a clinical form of hyperactivity take Ritalin, the results are more like that of cocaine. They may be able to stay awake longer and focus on studies or other chores, but the euphoric feeling that accompanies these benefits is addictive.
Types
Ritalin is only intended to be taken in a pill form by people who have been prescribed the drug by a doctor. However, people wishing to get a fast effect from the drug or who are trying to get a similar high to that of other drugs may take it differently. Some choose to crush Ritalin pills and snort them, while others dissolve them in water and inject them.
Misconceptions
Many people like to take Ritalin recreationally because there is a prevailing notion that because Ritalin is a drug prescribed to children, it is not harmful. However, taking Ritalin without a prescription and habitually over time leads to addiction. It can also cause serious heart problems, high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, seizures and stroke.
Identification
If you suspect that you may have a problem with Ritalin abuse or that a friend may be suffering from this addiction, there are several ways to that you can determine if there is a problem. If you are taking the drug without medication, then you are abusing the drug. There are no two ways about it and it is illegal for you to do so. Also, if you are prescribed the drug but are taking it in alternative forms, such as shooting it or snorting it, then you are abusing it. If you have trouble focusing at all without Ritalin, then your body may have already become dependent on it and you should seek help immediately.
Warning
Ritalin can be an extremely helpful tool for people who otherwise might have serious difficulties focusing. However, there are many unpleasant side effects that go along with using this drug for extended periods of time. You may lose the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep and you can develop serious cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Ritalin also can dramatically raise your blood pressure as well as contributing to anorexia and liver malfunction. Serious, prolonged abuse can cause heart attacks and death.
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