| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | | | | vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, |
| (ADHD) is a highly publicized childhood | | | | changes in heart rate and blood pressure, |
| disorder that affects approximately 5 percent | | | | skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, |
| to 7 percent of all children. Millions of | | | | weight loss, and digestive problems, toxic |
| individuals receive prescription drugs for | | | | psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug |
| ADHD every year and various central nervous | | | | dependence syndrome, and severe depression |
| system (CNS) stimulants like Ritalin & | | | | upon withdrawal while long-term effects may |
| Adderall are frequently prescribed by | | | | include tremors, muscle twitching, fevers, |
| physicians for ADHD as they have a notably | | | | convulsions, headaches, irregular heartbeat, |
| calming and "focusing" effect on those with | | | | anxiety, hallucinations, and delusions, |
| ADHD, particularly children. | | | | excessive repetition of movements and |
| | | | meaningless tasks, and sensation of bugs or |
| Ritalin, chemically known as Methylphenidate, | | | | worms crawling under the skin. |
| is a stimulant that produces pharmacological | | | | |
| effects similar to those of cocaine and | | | | Users who inject drugs intravenously are at a |
| amphetamines. As a result, a growing number | | | | higher risk of contracting viruses such as |
| of incidents of ADHD prescription medicine | | | | HIV and hepatitis, and often suffer from |
| abuse have been associated with teens and | | | | abscesses & collapsed veins as insoluble |
| young adults nowadays. Many teens are using | | | | fillers in the tablets can block the small |
| it for weight reduction since it is a | | | | blood vessels. Moreover, excessive doses of |
| powerful appetite suppressant while others | | | | Ritalin over a long period of time can |
| are using it for wakefulness, increased | | | | produce addiction & may lead to development |
| attentiveness, increased focus, & euphoria. | | | | of tolerance so that larger doses are needed |
| | | | to produce the desired effect. |
| When abused, the tablets are either taken | | | | |
| orally or crushed and snorted. Some abusers | | | | When a child's performance and behavior |
| dissolve the tablets in water and inject the | | | | improve soon after starting medication, the |
| mixture into the veins. Common neurological | | | | child, parents, and teachers tend to applaud |
| effects of drug abuse includes impaired | | | | the drug for causing the sudden changes. |
| memory and learning ability, poor | | | | Unfortunately, when people see such immediate |
| concentration, confusion, panic attacks, | | | | improvement, they often think medication is |
| flashbacks, impaired motor function, & | | | | all that's needed. But medications don't cure |
| seizures to name a few. Various common | | | | ADHD; they only control the symptoms on the |
| physical effects of drug abuse may include | | | | day they are taken. Although the medications |
| changes in heart rate and blood pressure, | | | | help the child pay better attention and |
| nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, | | | | complete school work, they can't increase |
| abnormal weight loss, and increased body | | | | knowledge or improve academic skills. The |
| temperature, danger to heart, liver, kidneys, | | | | medications help the child to use those |
| chest pain, stomach cramps, & hormonal | | | | skills he or she already possesses. So, |
| changes. | | | | behavioral therapy, emotional counseling, and |
| | | | practical support must be given to ADHD |
| Short-term effects can include nervousness | | | | children so that they can cope with everyday |
| and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and | | | | problems and feel better about themselves. |