ADD/ADHD Meds
Also known as stimulants- they increase alertness, attention, and provide more energy. Stimulants increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, unlike depressants, which slow down certain parts of the body’s mechanisms. Stimulants increase the activity of either the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), central nervous system (CNS), or both. Caffeine, which is found in coffee and certain soft drinks, as well as nicotine, which is found in tobacco, are among some of the world’s most commonly used stimulants.
Back then, stimulants were used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, and a load of other conditions. Seeing that users of stimulants began to abuse their medication, doctors quickly cut down on who they prescribed these medications to. Now, stimulants are prescribed for treating only certain health conditions such as attention-deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and depression that has not responded to other treatments.
Some of the more common stimulants on the market are; Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), and Ritalin (methylphenidate). All of these medications come in either immediate release, sustained release, or long-acting release.
Stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) have similar chemical structures that key brain neurotransmitters known as monoamines, which include norepinephrine and dopamine. Rather than slowing down the brain, stimulants make the brain go into overdrive- or increase the levels of these chemicals in the brain and body. As the brain is going in overdrive- stimulants increase blood pressure, heart rate & blood glucose, constricts blood vessels, and opens up the pathways of the respiratory system. In small term- the increase in dopamine causes one’s body to feel a sense of euphoria that is caused by the use of stimulant drugs.
Studies have shown that people who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications, such as Adderall & Ritalin. However, if the medication is abused, they can become quite addictive. The consequences of abusing stimulants are far different than those abusing pain killers, as stimulants increase certain parts of body levels, rather than slowing them down. Taking high doses of stimulant drugs can result in an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure- as well as seizures. Taking high doses of stimulant drugs for a short period of time is also different than taking other drugs, as this can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia.
Stimulant drugs should not be mixed with antidepressants or OTC cold medications containing decongestants. Antidepressants may enhance the effects of a stimulant drug, and the combination of stimulants and decongestants can cause dangerously high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms.
As with other addictive drugs, any person who becomes dependant on a stimulant drug, and then suddenly stops taking the drug can suffer through withdrawal. The symptoms can be quite uncomfortable, but there are things that doctors can do to ease or stop the withdrawals. A few withdrawal symptoms of stimulant drugs include, but are not limited to; extreme fatigue (tiredness), depression, and changes in heart rhythm. While withdrawal from stimulants isn’t life-threatening, it is uncomfortable, and one should seek medical care.
Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are based on behavioral therapies used to treat cocaine and/or methamphetamine addiction. Since the addiction for stimulants aren’t that high, and the withdrawals aren’t as severe as others- there currently are no proven medications for treatment. Antidepressants may be used to manage depression from people suffering through withdrawal.
Depending on the patient’s situation, the first step in treating prescription stimulant addiction would be to slowly taper the drug’s dose, which would treat the withdrawal symptoms. The one problem that many people have once the drug has been tapered to the point where they no longer need the medication anymore is that they relapse. It is important not to relapse, so entering a therapy center is extremely important. Cognitive-behavioral therapy centers are a great way to stay off of stimulant drugs. These centers will teach patients to recognize risky situations and to walk away from them, avoid drug use at all costs, and to cope more effectively with problems. Help is available, so take advantage of it.
August 16th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Ok so it is very unfortunate that this and other so called “med fact” articles on ADHD stimulants blatantly lie by saying that people with ADHD do not become addicted to these meds. Just because a person has been diagnosed with ADHD does NOT mean they are magically immune to the many dangerous pit-falls of speed. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “SAFE” SPEED USE. period. if you have a brain and a body, you are just as eligible as the next guy to be vulnerable to the scary “side effects” of these drugs. Ive been prescribed Adderall/concerta/vyvanse/daytrana for my ADHD “trying to find the right med” but no matter what form its taken or how much the dose, these drugs can seriously damage your health/lifestyle. yes, they DO increase your ability to focus, but that focus soon fades into a soupbowl of disturbing behaviors that the user has no control of. For me, ive had borderline OCD/Tourettes like “tics” such as constantly picking your skin, checking your pockets, and even rapid body twitches. But thats nothing compared to the EXTREME paranoia one feels for anywhere between 2-6 hours after the initial effect. It is an all encompassing, ever-growing irrational fear of anything from spiders to a meteor hitting the earth. Your muscles literally clench from the hypertension that accompanies it, and it becomes ironic how suddenly you cannot focus on anything but the fear that has a hold of you. dont even get me started on the weight-loss and insomnia factors. So to sum it up i strongly feel these drugs are not suitable for ANYONE for any reason at all. they are strong CNS stimulants and should never be given a fancy name to cover their nature. It sickens me how doctors usually blame patients and not the drug companies for the many issues these drugs cause.