Prescription Drug Stimulants
Attention Deficit Disorder Drugs
Methylphenidate
Dextroamphetamine
Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine are prescribed to children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Although they are stimulants, they have a paradoxical effect on hyperactive children — these two drugs actually calm down children diagnosed with ADD.
Ritalin and Concerta, containing methylphenidate, are two of the most widely prescribed ADD drugs in the world today. In fact, worldwide consumption of Ritalin is close to 10 tons a year. Adderall, another very popular prescription drug for ADD, contains dextroamphetamine. It is usually a second choice when methylphenidate drugs do not work for certain children.
Most academics believe these two drugs can enhance performance in children with ADD by increasing their powers of concentration and allowing them to go without sleep while they pursue tasks under deadlines.
Nature Magazine reported that one in five university professors uses dextroamphetamine, and 80 percent believe it should be a legal drug. College students frequently take these drugs during finals week or when they are under academic pressure. Many fake symptoms of ADD at their colleges’ health clinics in order to gain prescriptions, or they simply buy pills from students who already have prescriptions.
Dangers of Use
Dextroamphetamine is not without its dangers. People with undiagnosed heart conditions have experienced sudden death the first time they tried it. Some people feel anxious, nervous and jittery when they use it. Dextroamphetamine is a stimulant, so it raises body temperature and blood pressure even as it increases metabolism and heart rate. It decreases appetite and has been prescribed as a “diet drug.” When dextroamphetamine wears off, people feel extreme fatigue and depression.
Methylphenidate likewise is not just a harmless drug for children. Some countries, including Sweden, have banned it entirely because it is so highly addictive. Methylphenidate at high levels can damage internal organs – in particular, the heart and the kidneys. Side effects can be nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, increased heart rate and blood pressure, headaches, irritability, visual disturbances and dizziness. Severe reactions can be sudden death, stroke or heart attack. People who become dependent on methylphenidate often become moody and hostile. When their drug wears off, they “crash” into feelings of depression.
One authority has written that ADD stimulants should never be used by people who are overweight, neurotic or who lack self-esteem. These are the groups most likely to become dependent on these stimulants because they often have underlying issues of low self-esteem and a neurotic drive for high achievement.
Chemical detoxification from these drugs creates symptoms such as depression and fatigue, loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities, insomnia and suicidal thoughts.
For a successful and long-term recovery from ADD drug addiction, users can benefit from counseling and other treatments provided at inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers.
Methylphenidate Products
Attenta
Concerta
Daytrana
Focalin
Metadate® CD
Methylin
Penid
Rilatine
Ritalin
Ritalin® LD
Ritalina
Ritalin-SR
Rubifen
Dextroamphetamine Products
Adderall
Biphetamine
Dexetrine
Dexotrostat
