Dr Dulcy on dangers of Ritalin
TREND: STUDENTS ARE INCREASINGLY USING THE DRUGS TO HELP THEM THROUGH EXAM TIME
They are safe when used as prescribed and as such are safe for children.
There seems to be a growing trend of students relying on pharmaceutical products like Ritalin and Concerta (also known as “baby cocaine”) to help see them through tough examination periods.
Even if these drugs are Schedule 6 and should be highly regulated, according to students they are quite easy to access.
Students that have them prescribed and are on medical aid are able to get them and sell them to others.
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is also so vague that anyone can say they have it even if they don’t.
“People who are studying for their degrees pick up this culture of working for, like, three days straight, maybe sleeping for five hours in total,” according to some of the students.
Concerta (methylphenidate) is a prescription stimulant in the same class as Ritalin. They are stimulants commonly used to treat ADHD in children and adults and chronic sleep disorder.
Students use them to increase attention span and decrease hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. The drugs slowly raise the user’s dopamine levels in the brain, achieving a therapeutic effect.
They are listed as controlled substances in South Africa and are comparable to the drug amphetamine. Abuse of both Ritalin and Concerta produces effects similar to cocaine.
When used exactly as prescribed, they are considered safe, which is why they are so frequently prescribed for children.
Although Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, like other stimulants, the controlled dosage prevents the chemical changes from inducing the euphoric effects of illegal stimulants.
Abuse by Ritalin users with a legal prescription is not common. However, abuse by people who obtain the drug illegally for its ability to mimic the effects of cocaine at high doses is very common. The most common abusers of Ritalin are teenagers and young adults who use the drug for its euphoric effects, to stay awake, and to increase concentration.
Other abuses of the drug include taking it to lose weight or enhance performance.
Some students go to the extent of taking these in combination with other drugs or alcohol and this can have dangerous consequences.
As stimulants, they can override the depressant effects of alcohol. Users may not feel the effects of alcohol like they normally would, leading them to drink more. This increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has partnered with the department of social development in launching a toll-free substance abuse helpline to increase access to help, support and appropriate treatment for substance users. The toll-free helpline number is 0800 121314. SMSs can also be sent to 32312.
CONCERTA EFFECTS AND ABUSE
Getting or using Concerta without a prescription is considered abuse of the drug.
For those with a prescription, increasing the dose and/or frequency of use without the prescribing doctor’s recommendation is also considered Concerta abuse. Improve academic performance Lose weight – because it is an appetite suppresant Get high – increased dopamine levels are associated with attention and pleasure Vomiting Twitching Convulsions Headache Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Sinus arrhythmia Dry mouth
Psychological symptoms of Concerta overdose include:
Manic-like state Psychoses Aggression Compulsive behaviour Hallucinations Delusions Paranoia
RITALIN ADDICTION
It is highly addictive when misused and can result in severe psychological dependence. Basically, Ritalin abusers seek to turn the drug into a substitute for cocaine and experience the same addictive dangers.
A person with an addiction to Ritalin will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug, such as paranoia, fatigue and depression.
Those struggling with addiction are advised not to quit taking the drug without medical supervision.
A medical provider can set up a tapering programme for the user where the drug will be administered in increasingly smaller doses.
A medical professional can also help users manage and treat withdrawal symptoms.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF RITALIN
Ritalin abuse produces a stimulant-like effect. The Ritalin high induces euphoria, wakefulness, and increased focus and awareness. The intensity of the high depends on the delivery method. Taking the drug orally produces little euphoric effect, unless it is taken in larges dosages.
Side effects of abusing Ritalin can include an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Ritalin can also cause dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, fainting, and seizures.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF RITALIN
Long-term Ritalin use may cause heart disease or stroke. Ritalin can block small blood vessels over time in abusers who inject it.
Ongoing intravenous use can also expose the abuser to various blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B and C.
WITHDRAWAL AND DETOXIFICATION
People who abuse these drugs can overdose. It is important to be able to recognise the symptoms of an overdose in friends and loved ones so you can arrange immediate treatment.
The symptoms to look out for are psychosis, agitation, lethargy, and seizures.
If you suspect an overdose, get the person to hospital as soon as possible. The overdose has the potential to cause an onset of sudden death, especially in people with underlying heart conditions.
Withdrawal from the drugs can result in a change in the person’s behaviour. The withdrawal symptoms are psychological, and suddenly stopping the drug can cause psychotic behaviour.