What Are the Treatments for Methylphenidate Abuse?

Methylphenidate is a stimulant in the prescription drugs Ritalin and Concerta. Some people, both with and without a doctor's prescription, abuse methylphenidate. This is potentially life-threatening. However, there are treatments for Ritalin abuse.

Drug Tapering

• Tapering the dosage of methylphenidate to help ease the withdrawal process is one of the possible treatments, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This usually requires a doctor's help, though withdrawal from prescription stimulants in itself is not considered fatal.

Drug Rehab

• Severe Ritalin abusers may need a drug rehab facility. The United States Department of Health and Human Services offers a free online drug treatment facility locator (http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/).

Therapy

• Traditional psychotherapy or specialized processes such as cognitive-behavioral therapy are recommended for combating methylphenidate abuse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Support Groups

• Support groups may prove helpful in overcoming Ritalin addiction. Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery both provide potential emotional support from other recovering addicts, according to MedlinePlus.

Warning

• Those who do not seek treatment for methylphenidate abuse and continue in their active addiction risk death from heart failure, heart attack, dangerously high body temperature or seizures, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.