Ritalin Withdrawal

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant, similar to amphetamines in the nature and duration of its effects. It is believed that it works by activating the brain stem arousal system and cortex. Pharmacologically, it works on the neurotransmitter dopamine, and in that respect resembles the stimulant characteristics of cocaine. When taken in accordance with usual prescription instructions, it would be classified as having mild to moderate stimulant properties, but when snorted or injected it has a strong stimulant effect.

Ritalin is an addictive drug and mimics the action of chemicals your brain produces to send messages of pleasure to your brain's reward center. Ritalin produces an artificial feeling of pleasure. Ritalin produces its pleasurable effects by chemically acting like certain normal brain messenger chemicals, which produce positive feelings in response to signals from the brain.

The result is an addiction to Ritalin because the individual can depend on the immediate, fast, predictable high Ritalin provides. At the same time, Ritalin short circuits interests in and the motivation to make life's normal rewards work. More and more confidence is placed on Ritalin while other survival feelings are ignored and bypassed. Ritalin Withdrawal varies in severity and length. The withdrawal from Ritalin addiction depends on the amount and duration of time an the individual was addicted to Ritalin.

• agitation, insomnia
• abdominal cramps
• nausea
• severe emotional depression
• exhaustion
• anxiety