Just like other substances, Ritalin can become addictive when it is not taken as directed or misused by people who do not need the medication. The misuse of Ritalin can lead to withdrawal symptoms when someone attempts to quit the prescription drug without medically supervised assistance. Overcoming Ritalin withdrawal and addiction is possible with personalized and comprehensive addiction treatment services.
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What Is Ritalin?
Ritalin is a brand-name prescription medication used primarily to treat ADHD. It is also used in certain situations to treat narcolepsy. Some people may know the drug by its generic name, methylphenidate.
In 2022, the CDC reported there were an estimated 7 million youths aged 3 to 17 with ADHD. According to the 2022 Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators report, that same year, 4.3 million people misused prescription stimulants, including Ritalin and methylphenidate.
While most people might assume youths would abuse the medication the most, that would be an inaccurate assumption. There were only 226,000 youths aged 12 to 17 who misuse Ritalin. The percentage of misuse was highest among those aged 18 to 25, with 1.3 million people using Ritalin illicitly. Furthermore, 2.8 million people aged 26 and older misused Ritalin.
How Do People Become Physically Dependent on Ritalin?
Ritalin is a stimulant medication that increases the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Dopamine regulates focus, concentration, and pleasure. For those with ADHD, it helps maintain a healthy level of dopamine in the brain, allowing them to focus more easily.
When someone takes Ritalin who does not need it, it causes a rush of dopamine, which has pleasurable and euphoric effects. These feelings cause the brain to remember using Ritalin as a positive behavior, so people continue using the drug. Over time, however, tolerance builds to the drug, requiring people to take higher doses to achieve the desired effects.
Usually, by this point, people have become dependent on the drug just to function. If they attempt to stop using the drug, they experience Ritalin withdrawal. To avoid these unpleasant symptoms, they continue using the drug, becoming addicted to it, making it even more difficult to quit without professional help.
How Long Does Ritalin Withdrawal Take?
The duration of Ritalin withdrawal will depend on the dosage taken, frequency of use, and length of time the drug has been misused. Generally, the physical withdrawal symptoms will peak in intensity in about one to two weeks. Additionally, physical symptoms can go away in about two to three weeks.
The psychological withdrawal symptoms can take longer to subside fully. Usually, the more intense symptoms last four about a month, possibly two. However, some people experience PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome), where their psychological withdrawal symptoms can persist for many months, possibly longer.
List of Ritalin Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity and intensity of Ritalin withdrawal symptoms will be related to the duration, dosage, and frequency of use. For people who have been misusing the drug and taking high doses a few times daily for a long time, their withdrawal symptoms can be more intense and unpleasant.
Some of the more common withdrawal symptoms experienced include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Vivid dreams and nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Trembling
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Increased appetite
- Cravings for Ritalin
- Thoughts of self-harm and suicide
Is Ritalin Withdrawal Dangerous?
Fortunately, withdrawal from Ritalin is usually not life-threatening with medically supervised detox. However, it can become dangerous when attempting to quit without any help. Some people experience self-harm and suicidal thoughts, which they may attempt to carry out if their other withdrawal symptoms become too overwhelming for them to manage.
How to Safely Withdraw from Ritalin Dependency
The safest way to withdraw from Ritalin is with medical supervision. For individuals taking the drug for ADHD who want to discontinue it, they will need to use a tapering process to quit safely. Tapering is a process of gradually lowering one’s dosage over a period of several months to allow the body time to adjust to the reduced dosage and avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering can also be used as part of the detox process for those who have been misusing Ritalin. Along with tapering, evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities can be used as part of a comprehensive and individualized detox and addiction treatment plan, such as:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): FDA-approved medications can be used to treat specific withdrawal symptoms.
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy sessions help people uncover the underlying causes of their addiction and help them start developing effective coping skills.
- Group therapy: Group sessions provide opportunities to learn from others, learn more about addiction, and practice coping skills in role-play exercises.
- Holistic therapy: Many different types of holistic therapies are used to help heal the mind, body, and spirit from addiction, including yoga, art therapy, music therapy, acupuncture, meditation, wilderness therapy, and equine therapy.
Contact Us to Safely Detox from Ritalin in Palm Desert, CA Today
When you want to safely detox from Ritalin, start your recovery journey at Phoenix Rising Recovery in Palm Desert, CA. Our caring and compassionate team offers comprehensive detox and addiction treatment programs tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today to discover a brighter, Ritalin-free future.
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