Turning Ritalin into a Recreational Drug

For approximately 2.5 million children with ADD/ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), the prescription drug Ritalin is said to be helpful, even though it has been something of a controversial topic over the years. But now the prescription is being used by teenagers as a recreational drug- taken just for a “high” – and the abuse of the drug continues to rise steadily. Daily doses of the drug are being shared in schools, sold all over the streets, and the results could be deadly under the right circumstances.

Ritalin is the brand name of the stimulant Methylphenidate, a drug prescribed in 5, 10, and 20 mg tablet doses. It produces effects similar to those of cocaine and amphetamines. Unlike other stimulants of its kind, it is not being made in homemade labs by drug dealers because it is inexpensive and readily available with a prescription, even though it is a controlled substance.

Teenagers are abusing the drugs for its stimulant effects. It suppresses appetite, increases attentiveness and focus, creates a feeling of wakefulness and euphoria. Many teenage girls, facing the pressures of staying thin are now turning to Ritalin for weight reduction since it is a powerful appetite suppressant. It is used as a “stay-awake” pill for end-of-term study sessions and up-all-night party weekends.

Common side effects of the drug include an inability to fall and stay asleep, nervousness, paranoia, headache, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and the loss of appetite. Less common side effects include abdominal pain, an abnormal heartbeat, muscle twitches, chest pain, dizziness, seizures, psychosis, and stroke. Nicknamed “R-Ball,” “Vitamin R,” and “The Smart Drug,” among others, it is becoming a common drug as it is inexpensive and easy to purchase from friends with the prescription or dealers. Costs for the drug range from anywhere to fifty cents to five dollars per pill.

Tablets are taken orally. They can be crushed into a powder and snorted. Some users dissolve the tablets with water and inject the mixture. Complications from injection can be extremely life threatening as tablet particles can block blood vessels and cause damage to the lungs and retina. Still some users are mixing the prescription drug with other drugs like cocaine and heroin for a more powerful reaction.

Drug abuse in teenagers can affect a teen’s sense of self and their learning ability. It can lead to depression and anxiety. It can impair their judgement, affect their moods and their memory, and can severely harm a teen’s future. Drug abuse always comes before drug addiction, and while not every individual will become addicted, any drug abuse is dangerous, and every drug can be deadly.