What’s Concerta?
Methylphenidate is prescribed under the brand name Ritalin and is most often utilized to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially in children and young adults (although adult ADHD diagnoses are on the upswing, too).Concerta, or methylphenidate, is a schedule II stimulant medication, so it has a high potential for abuse and dependence. When taken in large doses, Concerta can create physical and psychological effects like street drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
Individuals who misuse Concerta frequently crush the pill or empty the capsule of its contents and then either inject or snort Concerta so as to get an immediate “high,” compared to the extended-release (effects drawn out over time) that’s intended when used as prescribed.
Although Concerta could be useful in treating disorders like ADHD when used as intended, its potential for abuse is a cause for great concern.
Signs and Symptoms of Concerta Abuse
If you’ve got a suspicion that somebody you know might be facing an addiction to Concerta, you must know about what to search for. Familiarize yourself with these indications of Concerta abuse:-
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Grinding of the teeth.
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Heightened feelings of wakefulness.
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Difficulty sleeping.
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Loss of appetite and weight loss.
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Irritability.
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Feelings of elation or mania
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Sweats
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Fixation with repetitive motions.
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Psychotic behaviour, such as delusions or hallucinations.
Consequences of Concerta Abuse
A person having a Concerta addiction has to know about the effects of methylphenidate abuse. Even though it’s a prescribed drugs, Concerta can have adverse impacts on a person like those of methamphetamine or cocaine if it isn’t being used as prescribed. A few of the effects of Concerta abuse may include:-
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Paranoia and other significant features.
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Malnutrition due to lack of desire.
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Poor impulse control.
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Headaches.
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Gastrointestinal complaints.
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Irregular heartbeat.
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Infection and vascular injury in those who misuse Concerta intravenously.
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Seizures.
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Death.
Concerta Abuse Treatment
There are various options out there for people who need help beating Concerta addictions, such as:-
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A drug rehabilitation program.
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Neighborhood or “virtual” online support groups.
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One on one or group therapy sessions.
The most frequent types of treatment are, broadly, inpatient and outpatient therapy.
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Inpatient treatment provides the individual with constant and comprehensive 24/7 maintenance and is ideal for people who have had a serious and/or prolonged battle with Concerta.
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Outpatient therapy, on the other hand, offers less immersive maintenance but in the advantage of having to live at home during therapy.
Discuss these options with a medical practitioner to find out which path will be right for you or your loved one.
Concerta: Key Statistics
Concerta abuse is increasingly becoming a more significant problem across the usa, as illustrated by the following statistics:-
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The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reported that Emergency Department visits between ADHD medicines in the U.S. improved from 13,379 in 2005 to 31,244 in 2010.
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A study spanning three countries conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration found that 30 to 50 percentage of youths in drug rehab facilities reported using methylphenidate illegally.
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Additionally, a study that surveyed children who had been prescribed methylphenidate showed that 16 percentage of those kids had reported being asked to furnish their drug to others for illegal use.
These figures demonstrate that young folks are abusing their prescription drugs–and even when they’re not abusing the medication themselves, others are asking them to empower their own substance abuse issues.