How much ritalin to overdose

Mixing these drugs places the body and mind in a dangerous tug-of-war. When taking a stimulant such as Ritalin and depressant such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids the body is receiving messages that tell it to act in opposite directions at once. This puts vital organs and life-support systems at risk, especially the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

From this, the risk of cardiac arrest, heart failure, addiction, and overdose climbs. Instead, as drug abuse continues and becomes more frequent, a person develops a tolerance. This means that the substance no longer creates the intended high or pleasurable effect they desire. To overcome this, many people increase their dosage, putting them closer to developing an addiction and the possibility of overdose.

As a person abuses Ritalin more regularly, their body can become dependent. In the absence of the drug, the body reacts harshly, creating uncomfortable symptoms called withdrawal. These include fatigue, problems sleeping and severe depression. To avoid this, many people turn back to the drug.

Compulsive drug abuse can cause a person to ignore their safety and health, actions that further raise the risk of overdose. The risk of overdose can also be higher during periods of sobriety. When a person is in an abstinent state their tolerance can drop significantly.

If they relapse they may take the amount of drug they previously took. A Ritalin overdose requires prompt medical attention. If a person, or those around them, at all suspects that overdose is a possibility, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately. Taking action right away could reduce the risk of serious medical problems and death. If a person has taken Ritalin LA orally, the effects of overdose could worsen over time as more of the drug is released.

Ritalin may cause a person to become extremely overstimulated. Because of this, medical professionals will likely take measures to protect a person from outside stimuli that could exacerbate this condition.

They should also monitor a person to prevent self-injury. Activated charcoal or medication a cathartic may be used to detoxify the body. In addition to these, some people who have a prescription for the drug misuse it. This means they may take it in a way other than intended, more frequently than they should or at higher doses.

These behaviors can also place a person at risk of overdose. In any case, misusing a personal prescription is considered drug abuse, and in certain cases, it may set the stage for physical dependence and addiction. Abusing stimulants on a regular basis, even in the short-term, can lead to serious mental and physical imbalances.

People with existing mental health problems , such as behavior disturbance, bipolar disorder or thought disorder may see their symptoms become more intense. Since more than 3 h have elapsed after the time of ingestion, activated charcoal administration was not carried out at the hospital.

She was only observed for 12 h at the emergency department and later discharged from the hospital. While long-acting stimulants offer lower risk of abuse, their greater availability increases the likelihood of ingestion of this nature.

Education of clinicians and families to be aware of this risk should reduce the frequency of this complication of treatment. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at info addictionresouce. Calls to numbers dedicated to a specific treatment center will be routed to that treatment center. All other calls will be routed to our treatment partners.

If you feel that any of our contact information to a specific treatment center is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at info addictionresouce. Evidence Based. Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M. D on July 13, Find the right treatment program for Ritalin abuse today.

Call to be connected with a treatment specialist. This page does not provide medical advice. See more. Was this Helpful? Yes No. Questions About Treatment? Achieve long-term recovery.

We respect your privacy.