Addiction Drug Addiction How Ritalin Can Be Addictive Why abusing this stimulant drug used to treat ADHD can lead to addiction By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 05, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Richard Seagraves / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How Ritalin Works Addiction Potential At-Risk Demographics Side Effects Other Treatment Options Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a stimulant medication widely prescribed for children and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And it has been shown to be both safe and effective for this purpose. But Ritalin also has the potential for misuse and abuse. This leads some to question, "Is Ritalin addictive?" Unfortunately, the answer isn't a simple one. Here's why. The Most Important Thing to Know About Ritalin Although Ritalin is often effective for relieving ADHD symptoms, taking this medication without a prescription—and when you don't have ADHD—is not only illegal but can lead to adverse side effects and increase your risk of substance use disorder. Using Ritalin to Treat ADHD How Ritalin Works Ritalin works predominantly by increasing two neurotransmitters in the brain: norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine plays a role in alertness, attention, and focus, while dopamine is associated with pleasure, memory, and mood. Not only does increasing dopamine levels help treat ADHD, but it also impacts areas of the brain that affect a person's potential for abuse. This raises concerns regarding the safety of the drug, particularly by individuals who take it without a prescription. Is Ritalin Addictive? When taken as prescribed, individuals with ADHD won't become addicted to Ritalin. However, in May of 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that if you take a prescription stimulant when it has not been prescribed to you by a physician, it can lead to addiction, misuse, and abuse, also potentially leading to overdose and even death. Specifically, the FDA warns that sharing your Ritalin medication can increase the other person's risk of developing substance use disorder, also elevating their risk of addiction. This has prompted the FDA to require a boxed warning on these drugs, advising healthcare professionals to closely monitor patients for these concerns. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Demographics at Risk for Ritalin Misuse Certain demographics have a greater risk of Ritalin misuse. Among them are high school and college students. This misuse of Ritalin without a prescription puts these adolescents and young adults at greater risk of developing an addiction to this drug. But it has other consequences as well. Additional concerns of Ritalin misuse include: Ritalin may be a gateway drug for some, also increasing the risk of developing a substance use disorder later in life.If the drug is ingested via snorting or injection, it gets to the brain faster and reinforces the drug's use. This potentially increases addiction risk.Taking Ritalin without a prescription is illegal, as is selling your pills to others. both of which can have legal consequences. Side Effects of Ritalin In addition to its addiction potential, taking Ritalin can also lead to adverse effects. Some of Ritalin's side effects include: Abdominal painAnxietyDecreased appetiteDrowsiness or fatigueHeadacheIrregular heartbeatIrritabilityNausea or vomitingSleep issues Serious Ritalin Side Effects Some people experience serious side effects after taking Ritalin, some of which include chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble speaking, numbness or pain in the fingers or toes, or an erection that is painful or lasts more than four hours. If you have any of these effects, seek immediate medical attention. Alternative ADHD Treatment Options Although medications are typically the first line of treatment offered to control the symptoms of ADHD, Ritalin and other drugs are not the only effective treatment for ADHD. Other ways to help minimize or reduce ADHD symptoms include. Dietary interventions may be helpful when particular foods aggravate hyperactivity. One analysis of several studies found that, when compared to other non-pharmacological treatments, physical exercise was the best for alleviating ADHD symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves learning how to change destructive thought patterns, has been found to help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety in individuals with ADHD. Neurofeedback therapy has been shown in a few studies to be an effective, long-term, drug-free option for attentional disorders in some cases. This type of therapy involves learning in real time how you react to certain things, then using this new understanding to better control your responses. Summary While Ritalin offers individuals with ADHD some benefits, taking this drug without a prescription can lead to unintended consequences such as addiction and the development of a substance use disorder. Even individuals with a prescription may experience side effects when taking this drug. If you struggle with attention and focus, talk with your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They can help discover the reason for your lack of focus, then help find ways to resolve it that don't put you at an increased risk of addiction. 12 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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Neurofeedback as a treatment intervention in ADHD: Current evidence and practice. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019;21(6):46. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4 By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit