Concerta Abuse and Addiction

Prescription drug addiction impacts the lives of thousands of Americans each day. While many begin their use of prescription drugs as a method of treating an ongoing mental health disorder, behavioral health condition, or physical illness or ailment, when you are struggling to find ways of coping or managing stressors within life, the allure of escape through prescription drugs becomes appealing. At TruPath, we offer patients treatment plans that will support them in addressing the underlying emotions and traumas that have contributed to their addictive behaviors while also supporting them in safely ending their use of prescription drugs and developing the tools for managing their co-occurring disorders through natural and holistic treatments. 

What is Concerta?

Concerta is a prescription medication that is often prescribed to patients that are looking to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Concerta is also known under the generic drug name methylphenidate. Concerta is taken in an oral format in a pill or tablet form that will vary in dosage sizes depending on the severity of your symptoms of ADHD and the prescription your doctor provides to treat your symptoms of ADHD appropriately. When individuals are looking to abuse concerta, the method of use will be to take the pills orally or crush them up to snort them.

Concerta Effects

When you take concerta, it works by targeting your central nervous system in order to change or shift your brain functioning through this stimulant prescription medication. For individuals that are living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, taking concerta will support individuals gaining the ability to focus on an activity for a prolonged period of time, maintain their attention on a task or situation, and effectively manage or control any presenting impulsive behaviors. 

Signs of Concerta Abuse and Addiction

Although concerta is known to be an effective means to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, due to this prescription drug being a stimulant, it has the potential of becoming addictive when misused and abused. If you are concerned about your use of concerta or a loved one’s use of concerta and if it has developed into a drug addiction, here are some common signs and symptoms of concerta abuse or addiction: 

  • Stomach cramps or aches
  • Dry mouth 
  • Changes in appetite including a decrease in regular hunger levels 
  • Headaches 
  • Changes in weight including a sudden weight loss 
  • Experiencing vision problems 
  • Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia 
  • Anxiety 
  • Excessive sweating 
  • Numbness
  • Redness of the skin or skin rash 
  • Agitation 
  • Hypertension
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Arrhythmias 

Concerta Withdrawal Symptoms

Due to concerta being a stimulant medication, it can shift your normal body and brain functioning. The longer you engage in concerta abuse, the more your body and brain become reliant on concerta to function normally. When you stop taking concerta, there is potential for withdrawal symptoms to occur also known as a “concerta crash”.  Withdrawal symptoms from concerta can include the following: 

  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Anxiety 
  • Depression
  • Nightmares or night terrors 
  • The onset of panic attacks 
  • Changes in appetite including increased hunger 
  • Dysphoria
  • Psychosis 
  • Irregular heart rate 
  • Fluctuating or abnormal blood pressure 
  • Irritability 
  • “Brain fog” 

Long Term Side Effects of Concerta Abuse

Engaging in long-term concerta abuse has an increased risk of developing long-term side effects that can impact your physical and psychological health. While there is potential for long-term risks, the good news is that if you end your concerta abuse, there are possibilities for your brain and body to recover and restore functioning the longer you remain abstinent from drug abuse. Long-term side effects that can occur from concerta abuse are:

  • High blood pressure 
  • Cardiovascular concerns or problems 
  • Extreme fatigue or exhaustion 
  • Insomnia or significant changes in sleep patterns 
  • Shifts in appetite and, in some cases, experiencing  malnutrition 
  • Paranoia or paranoid delusions 
  • Anxiety 
  • Anhedonia where a person has an  inability to feel pleasure 
  • Developing an addiction to drugs 

Concerta Addiction Treatment

TruPath provides patients with varying levels of care for addiction treatment programs. You can choose from drug detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment programs, and aftercare programs that will provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan to support you in long-term addiction recovery. Throughout our continuum of care, you will be supported in overcoming the physical dependence on drugs while exploring what has been at the core of your drug addiction all along through evidence-based therapy methods. As you heal from emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that have contributed to your addictive behaviors, you will gain perspective on your triggers so that you can gain coping skills and tools for relapse prevention that will keep you on the road to recovery. Call us today to hear more about how our compassionate team will support you in leaving your concerta abuse behind you and embracing a new lifestyle in addiction recovery.