Ritalin and Other Methylphenidates - Treatment for Habitual Users

Treatment for Habitual Users

DependenceWhen a user has a physical or psychological need to take a certain substance in order to function. on Ritalin and other methylphenidates can lead to withdrawal once the drug is stopped. Withdrawal is the process of gradually cutting back on the amount of a drug being taken until it can be discontinued entirely. Withdrawal can cause a variety of side effects, including depression, unusual behavior, and feelings of weakness and sleepiness. Users who stop taking methylphenidates should have their doses tapered down slowly under the direction of a physician.

The most effective treatment for methylphenidate abusers is behavioral therapy, sometimes used in conjunction with antidepressants. One behavioral approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy (or talk therapy), which focuses on modifying the patient's attitudes, thinking processes, and coping skills. Recovery support groups may also be helpful, especially in the months or years following addiction treatment.

A young boy with ADHD is shown with his parents at their home in Massachusetts. His mother filed a civil rights complaint against his school claiming that his teachers were pressuring her to keep her son on Ritalin. AP/Wide World Photos.
A young boy with ADHD is shown with his parents at their home in Massachusetts. His mother filed a civil rights complaint against his school claiming that his teachers were pressuring her to keep her son on Ritalin. AP/Wide World Photos.