Ritalin Addiction Intervention and Treatment in Texas
Ritalin addiction intervention and treatment in Texas include different resources for family intervention, drug detox, and drug rehabilitation. Ritalin addiction and abuse is a common problem among young adults and teens. Treating Ritalin addiction is done the same as any other stimulant addiction. Drug rehabilitation in Texas involves multiple steps, and there are effective drug rehab options to Texas. Anyone struggling with Ritalin addiction or any form of stimulant addiction can access proper drug detox, inpatient treatment, or outpatient drug rehabilitation.
However, no one form of drug rehab is right for every person. Generally, treatment settings and interventions should meet the needs of the addict attending drug rehab. Teen drug rehab programs are also available to help young people battling prescription drug addiction. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for young people to be prescribed these drugs and begin to abuse them or sell them to other teens. Drug addiction that begins early in life increases the chances of it progressing into adult life. According to the Texas Behavioral Health Barometer, between 2015 and 2017, 13.6% of young adults aged 18 to 25 had a substance use disorder.
What is Ritalin, and How is the Drug Used?
Ritalin is a prescription stimulant drug prescribed to treat various conditions. However, the drug is commonly abused by teens and young adults. Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant and is the trade name for the generic drug methylphenidate. Most prescription stimulant drugs come in tablet, capsule, or liquid form, which a person takes by mouth. The misuse of prescription stimulants means taking the drug in a way or dose other than prescribed. Also, it involves taking someone else’s medication or taking the medication only for the effect it causes to get high.
When Ritalin is misused, the drug user can swallow the drug in its normal form. Alternatively, drug users crush tablets or open the capsules, dissolve the powder in water, and inject the liquid. The powder form of Ritalin could also be snorted or smoked. Unfortunately, some people take prescription stimulants to try and improve mental performance. Teens and college students sometimes misuse these drugs to get better grades. Older adults often misuse these drugs to improve their memory. Misusing Ritalin or other prescription stimulant drugs can lead to harmful health effects, such as addiction, heart problems, or psychosis.
What are the Effects of Ritalin Abuse?
Ritalin keeps the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain longer, and Ritalin causes the brain to release more dopamine and norepinephrine. Ritalin becomes more desirable to some addicts because its effects set in and peak sooner. Ritalin abuse causes significant side effects with a high feeling followed by a crash. During the crash phase, the drug user feels mentally dulled, depressed, and fatigued. Side effects of Ritalin abuse can be more extreme when the drug is misused.
Some of the common side effects include addiction, diminished appetite, stomach ache, headache, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, agitation, dizziness, nausea, and heart palpitations. Some of the more serious side effects include seizures, blurred vision, rapid pulse rate, high blood pressure, paranoia, suspicion, depression, visual hallucinations, skin infection, viral infection, and urinary tract infection. Ritalin abuse also leads to overdose. The signs of a Ritalin overdose include sweating, dehydration, tremors, hallucinations, aggression, kidney damage, psychosis, and sudden heart attack.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Ritalin Addiction?
The signs and symptoms of Ritalin addiction vary, and it is important for parents to recognize these indicators. Some of the common signs include taking more Ritalin than planned, feeling like one should cut down but unable to, and dedicating more time to acquiring and using Ritalin. Someone addicted to Ritalin experiences cravings and is not able to perform at school or struggles with family or work life. Ritalin addiction causes health problems and exasperates existing health problems. Drug users develop a tolerance to the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms.
Some of the behavioral signs of Ritalin addiction include doctor shopping, and teens and young adults are more likely to borrow or even steal Ritalin from friends. Behavioral changes could also include sudden mood changes, changes in appetite, poor self-grooming, avoiding eye contact, being manipulative, deceitful, and telling lies. Someone addicted to Ritalin begins to perform poorly in areas of life such as home, work, or school. Overall, there are a host of signs and symptoms connected to Ritalin addiction, but the most telling sign is a change in the person.
Ritalin Drug Addiction Treatment and Detox in Texas
Prescription stimulant abuse leads to drug addiction. Drug detox and drug rehab centers in Texas are equipped to manage any severity of stimulant addiction. The long-term use of Ritalin causes tolerance and dependence, leading to withdrawal symptoms. Drug addiction develops when continued use of the drug causes issues like health problems and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. The first step in treating Ritalin addiction involves drug detox to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Common withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression, and sleep problems.
Drug detox programs in Texas manage these symptoms to make for a smooth transition to a drug rehab center. The next phase of drug rehabilitation involves attending a residential or outpatient drug rehab center. Drug rehab centers incorporate traditional and non-traditional therapy models to treat addiction. Behavioral therapy is a common approach, and this may include cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, or family-based therapies. Recovering drug addicts should also follow through with peer support groups, 12-step meetings, and sober living. Overall, well-rounded drug rehab in Texas should treat a person physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Family Intervention for Ritalin Drug Addiction in Texas
Stimulant addiction causes dangerous physical and psychological dependence. Most people addicted to stimulants are unable to admit they have an addiction or accept the help offered to them. Family intervention in Texas motivates the addict to accept help and helps the family set clear boundaries. With help from a professional interventionist, friends and family gather together to confront the addict and motivate them to accept help. During a family intervention, everyone involved tells the addict how drug addiction impacted the addict’s life and the lives of their family. A properly planned family intervention is effective, but a poorly planned intervention worsens the situation. The best way of planning and organizing a family intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist.
Sources-
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/Texas-BH-BarometerVolume5.pdf
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants
