1. Used for the treatment of ADHD Ritalin and Adderall

2. Ritalin • Generic name: Methylphenidate • Prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and Narcolepsy • Stimulant • Ritalin allows those with ADHD to concentrate and focus better • Ritalin allows those with Narcolepsy to stay awake

3. Ritalin • Blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine Effects include: • Increased attentiveness, alertness • Euphoria and a sense of well being • Feelings of invincibility

4. Adderall • Generic name: Amphetamine • Prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and Narcolepsy • Adderall gives the same effects as Ritalin, but feelings of invincibility are much less common

5. Street Names Ritalin Rids Skittles Uppers Vitamin R Jif Rball Kiddy Coke Diet Coke Smarties Adderall Speed Beans Black Beauties Dexies Pep Pills Uppers Christmas Trees Beanies Double Trouble

6. Adderall • Adderall stimulates the brain into producing higher amounts of Dopamine • Adderall’s effects on the brain are more gradual than Ritalin

7. Abuse • Taken orally or crushed and snorted • Increases alertness, energy, attention • Increased dopamine release in higher doses, causing euphoria

8. Abuse • These drugs, especially Ritalin, are often compared to cocaine when abused in high doses • They activate the same parts of the brain

9. Abuse by College Students • A concerning epidemic is the use of Adderall and Ritalin by college students • Students use the drug to stay up late and study and for increased concentration on their tests, they believe they accomplish more on these drugs

10. Abuse by Women • Women commonly abuse these drugs to lose weight • Most people abusing Adderall and Ritalin lose 10 pounds or more • Increased heart rate and breathing, ultimately increasing metabolism

11. How do abusers get these drugs? • Those who have ADHD may get a prescription and sell it $5-$10 per pill • It is easy to fake ADHD because there is no medical test to prove it • Some adults take their children’s prescription and use it or sell it

12. Side Effects • High BP, rapid heart rate • Shortness of breath • Insomnia • Headache • Loss of appetite- weight loss • Anxiety • Confusion • Delusions / hallucinations • Anger / hostility • Withdrawal when stopped

13. Dangers of Abuse • Respiratory problems (snorting) • Nasal Perforation (snorting) • Heart Arrhythmia • Psychotic episodes • Toxic shock • Extreme depression • Death from overdose

14. Diagnoses of ADHD on the rise • Diagnosis of ADHD in children has increased by 22% from 2003-2007 • Each year since 1997, ADHD diagnoses have increased by 3% Is this due to increased education of ADHD? Or are we simply over diagnosing active children?

15. Production of Meds • Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Production: 19902000 1768 kg/ year 14,957 kg/ year • Amphetamine (Adderall) Production: 1990 2000 417 kg/ year 9,007 kg/ year

17. Prescriptions

18. Ways to Prevent Abuse • Doctor’s need to rule out causation of behaviors before diagnosing ADHD • Alternative remedies for ADHD should be done before prescription is given • Doctors should know patients well enough before giving prescriptions