Navigation: Concerta Overview, Concerta Abuse, Concerta Effects, Concerta Addiction
In 2010, there were 15,585 emergency room visits related to ADHD medications like Concerta. This drug is a highly potent stimulant that may cause addiction if abused. But students and athletes often take the drug to boost their attention and focus. In fact, approximately one-third of college students have abused stimulants like Concerta.
Although overcoming an addiction to Concerta may be difficult, it is certainly possible with the aid of medical professionals and addiction experts.
Here we will talk about what Concerta is, and how its abuse can affect a person.
Concerta Overview
Concerta is a stimulant that is primarily used to decrease hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. This stimulant comes in a pill form that is either red, gray, yellow, or white, depending on its potency. Concerta increases attention span in people with ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
For people with ADHD and similar conditions, Concerta and other stimulants have a calming effect. The drug raises the user’s dopamine levels slowly, which gives them a pleasant and therapeutic effect.
However, if someone who does not have ADHD takes these medications, they will experience hyperactivity and overstimulation.
Concerta is a brand name of the drug methylphenidate. Other brand names for this drug include: Aptensio XR, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, and Ritalin SR.
But because of Concerta abuse, it also has street names including kibbles & bits, pineapple, kiddy cocaine, kiddy coke, smarties, and skittles.
Concerta is classified as a Schedule II regulated stimulant under the Controlled Substances Act.
Concerta Abuse
Taking Concerta without a prescription is considered drug abuse. Some people abuse this stimulant by taking more pills than prescribed. Others use it by crushing the pill and snorting large doses at a time.
For those who want to experience an intense high, they may dissolve the drug in water and inject it directly into their bloodstream. This puts them at a higher risk of overdose as well as blood-borne illnesses.
This also means that even if you have a prescription, if you misuse the drug, it is still considered abuse. Increasing the dose and frequency without the doctor’s recommendation is considered Concerta abuse.
People abuse Concerta for a number of reasons. Students may take the drug to improve their academic performance. Since the stimulant increases focus, concentration, energy, and alertness, college-age students commonly use it as a studying aid.
Some people use it to lose weight, since stimulants are effective appetite suppressants.
And then of course, there are those who abuse it just to get high. The increase in dopamine affects the brain’s reward system, making the user feel euphoric. This sensation is why Concerta is highly addictive.
Concerta is sometimes taken in combination with other drugs like alcohol. This makes an already potent stimulant even more dangerous. Combining these substances significantly increases the risk of an overdose. The results can be life-threatening.
Concerta Effects
Taking high doses of Concerta, or taking it too often, can lead to an overdose—which can sometimes be fatal. Physical symptoms of a Concerta overdose include vomiting, twitching, headaches, convulsions, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, irregular heart rate, sinus arrhythmia, dry mouth, tremors, rapid breathing, restlessness, fever, abdominal cramps, and rapid breathing.
Concerta overdose also has psychological and behavioral symptoms such as psychosis, aggression, mania, compulsive behavior, hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, confusion, panic attacks, and paranoia.
In severe cases of Concerta abuse, the drug can put an enormous strain on the user’s cardiovascular system. It can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke, convulsions, seizures, coma, low or high blood pressure, and fatal drug poisoning.
If someone you love is exhibiting these symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately.
Concerta Addiction
Concerta is a stimulant that is in the same class as Ritalin. In fact, they have the same chemical make-up—except Concerta is the extended-release version. It is supposed to stay in a person’s system for up to 12 hours, wherein it gradually releases the drug overtime.
But people who crush, snort, and inject Concerta are effectively bypassing this time-release mechanism, meaning they absorb large doses of the drug all at once. This is what often leads to an overdose.
Concerta is similar to other stimulants like amphetamine and cocaine in terms of their chemical makeup, and it is also similarly addictive.
Addiction is characterized by the compulsive use of a particular drug, even when the user is already experiencing its adverse effects. It will get in the way of their responsibilities and obligations, as well as their relationships.
The addicted person will prioritize their chosen drug over everything else. They may even lose interest in things they used to enjoy. Their finances and career may suffer in the process as they spend most of their time and money on trying to acquire the drug.
Over time they may develop tolerance, which means they will have to start taking larger doses just to feel the same effects. If they try to quit taking Concerta, they will experience intense cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms, which will cause them to relapse. Repeatedly quitting and relapsing is also a sign of addiction.
If someone in the family is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against substance abuse. Because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.
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— RehabNearMe (@RehabNear_Me) April 22, 2024
