Concerta

Concerta Addiction

What is Concerta?

Concerta is a brand-name prescription medication that belongs to a drug class called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. Similar to Ritalin, Concerta is a treatment option for attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sleep disorder). The drug contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, which works by increasing the blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature of its users to make them more alert. 

The pharmacology of Concerta is closely related to cocaine, another CNS stimulant. Concerta binds to the same receptors as cocaine, releasing more dopamine in the brain and body to produce similar, short-term effects of happiness and alertness.

Concerta Addiction

Due to its short-term effects, Concerta has an increased risk for abuse and addiction. The prescription stimulant is known to improve attention and focus in its users, making it a drug of choice for students with school demands. In addition to its use as a study aid, Concerta is often taken in combination with alcohol, a CNS depressant, to help people feel more alert and less drunk in social settings like parties. It is snorted, swallowed or smoked in a white powder.

Repeated use of Concerta can lead to mental and physical dependence, especially for people who take it without a prescription or take more than what’s prescribed. Prolonged use of prescription stimulants like Concerta can cause serious side effects like sleeping and heart problems, depression, and mood swings. These are examples of physical and mental side effects, or signs that a person’s body depends on Concerta to “feel normal.” 

Many people might continue using Concerta to make their symptoms go away, despite negative physical and social consequences. Drinking alcohol while taking Concerta or combining it with other CNS stimulants like cocaine can increase the risk of serious complications like strokes, seizures or a fatal heart attack.

If you or someone you know experiences intense cravings or physical withdrawal symptoms as a result of taking Concerta, substance use experts recommended tapering your body off the drug under the supervision of trained medical staff at a drug detox center.