ADHD Shop - NEW!
What Is ADHD? What Is ADHD?
ADHD Symptoms
Adult ADHD
Causes of ADHD
Celebs With ADHD
Myths About ADHD
History Of ADHD
ADHD Testing ADHD Test
Adult ADD Test
Treatment ADHD Treatments
Total Focus
ADHD Medications
Calm Hyper Child
Behavior Therapy
Behavior Charts
Neurofeedback
ADHD Coaching
Manage ADHD
Improve Focus
Natural Remedies Natural Remedies
ADHD Diet
Best ADHD Foods
Resources Support Groups
Summer Camps
ADHD Schools
ADHD Blog
Free Newsletter
About This Site About Dr. Kensington
Contact Form
Advertise With Us
Disclosure

Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Concerta Abuse

Can Abusing Concerta Kill You? Find Out Here...



The risk of Concerta abuse must be taken seriously because Concerta can be habit forming when used for long periods of time or at higher than recommended doses. Concerta is a stimulant that is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD.

At levels prescribed by a doctor it is safe, but all stimulants cause a "high" at higher doses.

Signs of Concerta intoxication include an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and the potential for cardiovascular failure or seizures. Ingesting high doses of stimulants can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia and hostility in some individuals.

The Statistics

According to a 1996 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) study, roughly 30-50% of adolescents in drug treatment centers reported "non-medical" use of stimulants such as Concerta and Ritalin.

A 1998 Indiana University study of 44,232 students found that 6.8 percent of ninth-graders surveyed reported using Concerta/Ritalin, either snorted or injected, at least once. Of those students, 2.5 percent reported Adderall abuse monthly or more often. In addition, some adolescents abuse Concerta for it's contribution toward weight loss.

The Pattern Of Abuse

Addiction is rarely intentional, rather it occurs when an individual begins to depend on the immediate and predictable high Concerta provides.

Addiction is characterized by increasing dosages and frequent episodes of use, followed by an enormous “low” in the form of depression. Severe Concerta side effects, including death, have been reported with Concerta abuse and addiction.

Over time, drugs can derail motivation to perform everyday life demands. Activities or relationships that were previously enjoyable go largely ignored in favor of drug use and recovery time.

Concerta tablets are either abused orally, or crushed and snorted. It can also be dissolved in water and injected, but this is more rare. A popular means of dispersal is adolescents giving or selling their Concerta medication to their peers.

Crushing the tablets and snorting the powder like cocaine is popular. Another form of Concerta abuse is through dissolving Concerta in water and injecting the fluid.

Safety Tips

Concerta should not be mixed with other medications without the approval of a doctor, especially antidepressants or over-the-counter cold medicines. Antidepressants may enhance the effects of Concerta, and Concerta in combination with decongestants may cause blood pressure to become dangerously high or lead to irregular heart rhythms.

Make sure Concerta is only taken as directed, and inform children to never share pills with friends. Avoid problems by dispensing all medication to your child yourself in order to make sure it is not abused. Keep all medications out of reach. If medication is needed during the school day, it should be administered by the school nurse.

Treatment

Treatment for Concerta addiction or any type of drug abuse, depending on the severity, often combines an initial detoxification and a course of behavioral therapy.


Learn To Beat Your Addiction Here!



Sign Up For The Newsletter!

Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you ADD-Treatment.com Ezine!.

Exit Concerta Abuse and return to ADHD Medications
Exit Concerta Abuse And Return To ADD Treatment


Tweet