Ritalin and Addicition

Anon Imperfect Mum

Ritalin and Addicition

My son was diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety a year ago, at first we tried a medication called Straterra which was for both of his conditions, It worked great for the Anxiety but not so much for the ADHD. We moved him to a smaller school of 240 students to help with the anxiety and a year later he has managed to overcome it and no longer needs Straterra. The Paediatrician has now changed his medication to a low dose of Ritalin, Can anyone please tell me their experiences with it, As my partner is worried our son will become addicted to it, our son is only having it Monday to Friday and only during school terms.

Posted in:  Parenthood Guilt, Behaviour, Kids

2 Replies

Anon Imperfect Mum

Ritalin is out of the system very quickly! So unless he is 'popping pills' it is extremely difficult to get addicted to.
The long term effects of not taking his medication can be serious. Poor performance in school, low self esteem, plus teens and adults with undiagnosed ADHD have a tendency to self medicate with recreational drugs leading to addiction.
I'm sorry I read a medical study a while back and am on my phone so hard to get my hands on it.
Perhaps google scholar 'long term effects of not taking medication in people with ADHD' .
Ask your husband this, if your son has epilepsy would he worry about the use of medication?

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Anon Imperfect Mum

You also might find it helpful to google some blogs written by adults with ADHD. Very interesting

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