Ritallin

[elbuzz]

I was reading an article the other day, which said; Ritallin given to an adult has near enough the same effects as speed. And was wondering if in some cases, it could have a similar effect on a child?

[AnneM]

Hi Elbuzz and Welcome to the site ....

I would say that the article you read was one of the "scaremongering" anti-ritalin sites which if you search around you WILL find out there on the web ...

The way I understand it (and i am open to correction!) is that ritalin and speed are "loosely related" .... sort of 'distant cousins' if you like. HOWEVER, the amount of ritalin given to a child (or adult) as a medication in the control of adhd is absolutely MINISCULE compared to the amount of speed taken by someone who wants to get "high" ... In fact studies show that people who take ritalin (or other stimulants) to control adhd are considerably LESS likely to turn to "self medicating" themselves with such things as speed.

Hope this helps and hope that others can clarify a bit more concisely! ..

[Linda]

THAT IS THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT TOO ANNE.

[anneke]

I tell you what I know but I dont know for how far it is correct

I heart that if you make it fine, make a line and snif it true you nose, it has the same effect as sertain drugs.

I also heart that if an ADHD person do this there is no effect and can not become adicted

I also know that the price of one tablet is between 6 and 10 dollars when it is used for drugs. this is the reason why I always had it behind locks in university.

I also know that ritalin is used to kick off and become clean in special centers.

I als oknow that many children that are forst by teachers to take ritalin but are not ADHD get totaly stoned . they dont have the speet effect but they are verry down.

ritalin works on ADHD people diferen and that is why it works good for them but not for people who dont have ADHD.

thats all I know

Anneke

[Eye]

This was how it was explained to me by our son's doctor....

Children or adults with ADHD have a chemical imbalance. When they take ritallin, or other drugs, it helps correct the problem. Caffine has the same effect. That is why many ADHD kids drink alot of Mountain Dew. I used to know a teen in my youth group who drank a 2 liter a day, like drinking a 20oz bottle....

Now, kids w/o ADD or ADHD who drink a 2 liter bottle would be flying off the walls, but ones with it, calm down...

Not sure about all the medical stuff, but that's the jist.

This was explained to me, because I wanted to know why ritallin was a "controled" substance.

I was told that kids steal it and sell it or take it as speed.

Also, a girlfriend of mine took it once, because she said she wouldn't give her son anything she wouldn't take herself. I asked her what happened, and she said, "well, I sure got my whole house really clean that day!" LOL!!!

Anyway, don't know if it's all correct, but got it straight from the doctor's mouth!