Ritalin Abuse

Ritalin is a commonly prescribed Central Nervous System stimulant. The effects of Ritalin are similar to (but much stronger than) caffeine. As a stimulant, it is less powerful than amphetamines.
Ritalin is most commonly prescribed to treat people who have been diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). For the most part, Ritalin is prescribed to children.

Because Ritalin is a stimulant, it is very widely abused. Some of the common effects that this drug produces include:

• A sense of euphoria
• Sharper focus
• Appetite suppression
• Alertness
• Increased attention

Ritalin is used in a wide variety of ways. Some people choose to swallow the pills whole, while others crush them so that they can snort the powder that is produced.

The most common abusers of Ritalin are people under the age of 25, but some older adults abuse it as well. An important fact about this drug is that it is not particularly addictive if it is taken according to prescription. The key here, however, is that it should only be taken by people who actually have a prescription for it. You should never take any drug that belongs to someone else because the risks are simply too great.

If you or someone that you know is abusing Ritalin, you should contact a substance abuse treatment center to seek professional assistance.