Methylphenidate Abuse and Addiction
Methylphenidate misuse occurs when a person takes more of the medication than they were prescribed. Misuse also occurs when someone uses an alternative route (such as snorting or injection) to feel the effects of the drug faster. When injected through the vein, methylphenidate has been reported to have the same effects as cocaine, and the effects are more sustained.
Methylphenidate addiction occurs when a person craves the euphoric feeling of the drug and uses it more and more often. As this happens, the drug will not have its effects as quickly or higher doses will be needed to achieve the same feeling of euphoria. When a person increasingly uses the drug at higher doses, they may become dependent on it. A person who depends on methylphenidate will not be able to function normally without it.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has categorized methylphenidate as a Schedule II drug. This means it has a “high potential for abuse, which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.”
Methylphenidate is commonly misused by students, who use its effects to study more efficiently. When someone uses methylphenidate without a prescription, it is considered misuse — even if they are not using it for the feeling of euphoria. Using methylphenidate when not prescribed puts teens at an increased risk for becoming addicted.