Posted by jay on May 8, 2004, at 5:57:09
(Note: Bob this is mainly about the drug Ritalin, so I thought it best at this board. Thanks.)
You know...when I first started psych drugs years ago, I was *always* warned about 'abuse' 'addiction'..etc. In some this may be a problem, but I absolutely have never 'craved' a medication or drug. I know..it's all individual, but anyhow..please read article below. I have now taken stims, benzos, and rec. drugs, and don't feel any "need" for them. But, I am also on Prozac, Zyprexa, and Depakote (Epival), as well as Clonazepam, so this may actually reduce and block the addiction cycle. My depression and anxiety are treated very well with these meds. Maybe I am just lucky?Despite Similarities with Cocaine, Ritalin Use Rarely
Leads to Addiction[Medical Tribune: Internist & Cardiologist Edition 39(19):24, 1998. ©1998 Jobson Healthcare
Group]Although a widely prescribed drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is
chemically similar to cocaine and amphetamines, its use rarely leads to addiction because
of the manner in which it is taken, researchers report.Methylphenidate (Ritalin, CibaGeneva Pharmaceuticals) stimulates the central nervous
system in the same manner as cocaine. But as an oral medication, methylphenidate acts
more slowly than inhaled or intravenous drugs and fails to produce a cocaine-like "high,"
according to a report in the American Journal of Psychiatry (1998;155:1325-1331).The most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood, ADHD affects an
estimated 5% to 10% of the population, including teenagers and adults. Those with the
disorder show poor concentration, are easily distracted and often fail to respond to
non-verbal cues from others.Methylphenidate, the ADHD treatment of choice, improves symptoms by slowing the
reuptake of dopamine, thereby prolong its effects.Researchers led by Nora D. Volkow, M.D., of Brookhaven National Laboratory in
Upton, N.Y., measured for the first time how effectively methylphenidate blocks
dopamine transporters."There has been a lot of concern about the possibility for addiction with
methylphenidate," Dr. Volkow said in an interview. "We found that the drug is very
powerful, and can block more than 50% of dopamine transporters."The oral drug, however, hits peak brain concentrations slowly, taking one hour to do so in
an animal study, the researchers found. Cocaine blocks approximately 60% of dopamine
transporters, but in contrast to methylphenidate, reaches peak concentrations in five
minutes; intravenous methylphenidate takes nine minutes.Generally, the faster a substance concentrates in the brain, the greater the "high" and the
potential for addiction. Among seven subjects in another part of the study, only one
experienced a methylphenidate "high," Dr. Volkow's team reported.Researchers estimated that the dose of oral methylphenidate required to block 50% of
dopamine transporters was 0.25 mg/kg. Craig B. Liden, M.D., an ADHD specialist with
TRANSACT Health Systems in Pittsburgh, said that finding should be a warning flag to
primary-care doctors and pediatricians who prescribe the drug. That dose exceeds the
manufacturer's guidelines, Dr. Liden explained. Thus, primary-care doctors who follow
those guidelines may be giving patients subtherapeutic doses, he said.Dr. Liden also said the study provides important evidence that stimulant drugs can work
safely as medications.In fact, Dr. Volkow said, research suggests that therapeutic doses of methylphenidate
might help protect against drug addiction. Studies have shown that ADHD children who
receive no methylphenidate are more likely to become addicted to illicit drugs. "People
ask whether we are giving children a drug that's potentially addictive," she said. "But
evidence shows that not giving it to them puts them at higher risk for using cocaine,
because the stimulant makes them feel better. They're self-medicating."One concern, according to Dr. Volkow, is patients' use of cigarettes or alcohol while on
methylphenidate, because the combined effects on dopamine can enhance the addictive
nature of those drugs."It can be dangerous used with other drugs," she said, pointing out that patients who
abuse methylphenidate often do so by combining it with other drugs.
Thoughts, anyone?
poster:jay
thread:344692
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040505/msgs/344692.html