Ritalin (Concerta) Detox & Withdrawal Services
Also known under brand names like Concerta, Methylin and Metadate, Ritalin is a stimulant medication that increases the availability of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. It is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. As a central nervous system stimulant, Ritalin, or methylphenidate, is abused because of its ability to boost concentration and mental acuity, its potential for weight loss and because people find it helps them to manage their work loads more effectively.
Tolerance to Ritalin develops quickly and abusing it means you might be taking 10 or 20 pills a day, much more than what would be prescribed for therapeutic doses. No matter how much Ritalin you’ve been using, or how severe your side effects from misuse might be, our detox centers will help you to overcome it.
Ritalin (Concerta) Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal generally does not affect people who take Ritalin in prescribed therapeutic doses, however taking it in higher doses than prescribed or using it without a prescription can cause withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Ritalin is commonly abused because it improves productivity and for the euphoric high it induces. It can be snorted or crushed and mixed with water or alcohol to inject it. Snorting and injecting Ritalin results in a more rapid high and can cause you to use more of it very quickly.
When it is taken as prescribed, Ritalin induces a state of calm while improving concentration and alertness. When it is abused it produces a similar effect to cocaine and amphetamines.
Some common withdrawal symptoms include
- Chills
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Irritability
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Slow or delayed movements
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Memory problems
- Cravings
- Hunger
If you have a co-occurring substance use or mental health disorder, your symptoms are likely to be more severe.
Timeline of Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal timelines are personal and depend on factors like
- How long you have been taking Ritalin for
- Your dosage
- The frequency with which you have been taking it
- Your state of health
- Your tolerance for Ritalin
72 hours after your last dose
You are likely to feel tired, irritable, sad and anxious. Cravings, nausea and an irregular heartbeat are common. You are also likely to experience sleeping problems.
Four to seven days later
Your initial symptoms may have improved but may be replaced by mood swings, depression, exhaustion, and increased appetite.
Three weeks later
By this stage your cravings have probably subsided. Some symptoms may persist, like sleeping problems. By the end of the first month after detox, most of your symptoms should have cleared.
How to Detox from Ritalin (Concerta) Safely
It is advisable to detox from Ritalin in a medical facility as some of the symptoms may be life-threatening and a gradual tapering approach should be used. It is much more difficult to detox from Ritalin if you have been using it for a long time, and the onset of withdrawal symptoms is quite variable, depending on whether you have been taking long-acting or instant release tablets, and how you have been administering them.
Ritalin’s half-life is dependent on the person who has been taking it. In children it may be 2.5-hours and in adults, the half-life may be between 3.5-hours and 7.7-hours. If you have been using Ritalin to manage your ADHD, there’s a chance your symptoms may return when you quit, and you will need to consider an alternative management plan.
Trusting Your Doctors
Your GP or private rehab doctor is an ally during your detox and withdrawal, even if you have been abusing it recreationally. Substance use disorders are progressive and chronic, and the sooner you get help, the faster you can counteract the negative effects that Ritalin abuse is having on your life.
Your medical team is in the best position to give you advice and create a tapering schedule to help you to detox safely. Your GP or rehab doctor can also help you to find a non-habit forming alternative to Ritalin so that you can manage your ADHD effectively. Your medical team is on your side; they want to assist you and will not judge the choices you have made to get to this point.
Ritalin Withdrawal Risks
Ritalin causes changes to your blood pressure and heart rate, which need to be managed by medical professionals. Patients who have been taking large doses of Ritalin are at risk of seizures and heart attack. If you have co-occurring illnesses or mental health disorders, your chances of complications and intense withdrawal symptoms are very high. Withdrawal symptoms are the reverse of the positive side effects you may have been taking Ritalin for if you were abusing it, so anxiety and depression could give rise to panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and violent outbursts.
In a Residential Setting
Having your detox in a medical facility gives you access to an experienced support team in a distraction-free environment that is stable and conducive to recovery. It’s more challenging to quit Ritalin in your home environment if that is where the misuse of the substance started, as your home will have triggers that make it more difficult to avoid relapse. In a residential setting you will be monitored on a 24-hour basis and symptomatic medication will be administered to lighten the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. You will receive emotional and psychological support through the most challenging times of your detox.
Once your detox is complete, it’s much easier to progress into a rehab program on the same property, in a familiar setting with your support team in place.
Why Choose United Recovery CA for Ritalin (Concerta) Detox?
We know how challenging it is to recover and heal from Ritalin abuse, and our team is on standby to support you, regardless of how long or how much Ritalin you have been taking. We understand that you may have fears about your detox and have the structures and resources in place to make your healing much smoother and more manageable.
Our clinical team will assess you on admission to create a tailored care plan based on your needs and medical history. Should you require alternative treatment for ADHD, our medical professionals will work on replacement medication to assist you to manage your symptoms.
Why Choose United Recovery CA for Ritalin Detox and Withdrawal?
Our medical detox and rehabilitation center has been designed for comfort and safety. We enable our patients to retreat into a luxurious and non-judgmental space where you receive 24-hour medical supervision and clinical interventions to help you forge your long term recovery path. Once your Ritalin (Concerta) detox is complete you can enroll for in-patient or out-patient rehab in a familiar setting as you learn the tools and coping skills required to address the underlying triggers that resulted in your drug dependency. Aftercare, support groups and sober living homes provide you with extended care programs that facilitate long term sobriety in an understanding community.
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Is a Detox Enough to Tackle Addiction?
A detox program is the beginning of your recovery process. Once you have cleared Ritalin from your system, your physical symptoms will ease up and you will be in a stronger position to address the deep-seated factors that drove you to abuse it.
Enrolling in a comprehensive rehab program gives you access to therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and group therapy in a structured manner so that you can uncover and address the factors that contributed to your dependency. Issues like trauma, stress, abuse and childhood experiences will be explored in a supportive environment, and you will learn healthy coping strategies to equip you with constructive tools and resources that will empower you as you work to achieve your life goals. This is a long term process that you should embrace because it facilitates long term sobriety and helps you to avoid relapse.
