Concerta Addiction

Concerta is a medication primarily used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as diagnosed by guidelines from the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual. It’s a prescription stimulant drug designed to manage hyperactive behavior/decrease hyperactivity and improve focus, only coming in an extended-release version. However, Concerta is often abused.

Concerta addiction is a type of prescription stimulant use disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a substance use disorder is “uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.”

Concerta, an extended-release medication, is often abused by high school and college students and young adults because it can increase focus, energy, and attention. It helps students stay awake, allowing them to spend more time studying and focusing on their schoolwork. They often believe it will improve academic performance.

The problem is that this is a drug that should only be used for people who have a medical need for it. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says people abusing Concerta often take it from friends or family, and sometimes they engage in doctor shopping.

Signs of Concerta Addiction

If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may be addicted to Concerta, here are some signs to look out for:

• Using too much Concerta – more than the prescribed dose
• Taking Concerta without a prescription (from someone else’s prescription)
• Feeling unable to function without taking Concerta
• Neglecting responsibilities and activities due to using Concerta
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using
• Experiencing an overdose
• Snorting the drug
• Unintentional weight loss
• Using the drug to lose weight on purpose
• Serious heart issues like a heart attack
• Engaging in illegal or abnormal behavior as a result of using Concerta
• Continuing Concerta use despite negative consequences

Concerta abuse is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), stimulant use disorder is a concern that affects around 5 million people every year. If you’re experiencing this type of drug use or know someone who is, contact Elevate Recovery Center today for help.

Concerta can be physically addictive when misused or taken in higher doses than prescribed. As a prescription stimulant, Concerta affects the central nervous system and leads to physical dependence over time. Using Concerta over longer periods can result in marked tolerance, where increasing amounts are needed to achieve the same effects. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms occur when the person stops using. These can include fatigue, increased appetite, and severe depression.

Patients experience symptoms of Concerta withdrawal during detox as the drug is gradually reduced from their system. Withdrawal can result in a wide range of psychological symptoms and physical symptoms, including excessive sleepiness, irritability, nausea, headaches, increased hunger, and increased stress. Other common symptoms could include decreased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, and hallucinations. Depression, lack of focus, and fatigue may also occur.

An overdose happens when too much of the stimulant medication is taken, and it can be incredibly dangerous, even deadly. Common signs of overdose include:

• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Extreme agitation or confusion
• Trouble breathing
• Nausea and vomiting

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a Concerta overdose can even lead to seizures.

If you or someone else is showing signs of an overdose, reach out for immediate medical help.

Our treatment center offers different therapy approaches to help people overcome addiction to Concerta and other stimulants. Below are some of the therapies we use:

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT helps individuals regulate intense emotions and develop healthier ways to deal with stress or conflict. It uses techniques like mindfulness and distress tolerance, teaching people to react more calmly in difficult situations. This provides people with coping skills other than turning to drugs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT explores how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect, aiming to replace harmful thought patterns that often lead to substance abuse with healthier alternatives.

Moderation Management

Moderation management helps individuals reduce harmful behaviors, like using stimulants, instead of stopping them completely right away. It can serve as a helpful first step for people who feel unsure about total abstinence. Over time, this approach can build confidence and skills that make it easier to cut back even more or quit altogether.

Contingency Management (CM)

CM is a type of therapy that rewards people for positive progress when recovering from Concerta addiction. For example, they might earn vouchers or small prizes when they attend treatment sessions or pass drug tests. These rewards encourage them to keep following their treatment plan and avoid using the drug.

Motivational Interviewing

By asking open-ended questions and listening actively, therapists help clients recognize why they might need or want to change. This method often increases someone’s drive to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

Internal Family Systems

IFS sees the mind as made up of various “parts” and focuses on healing the wounded parts that shape behavior. The goal is to create balance and reduce inner conflict, allowing meaningful change to happen, which helps with sobriety.

If you’re struggling with Concerta addiction, we can use these and other treatment modalities to help you move forward.

Other Levels of Care for Those Dealing With Concerta Drug Abuse

Other options for Concerta abuse treatment programs include the following:

Medical Detox

Medical detox manages Concerta withdrawal symptoms and is often the first step in a person’s treatment journey. Although Concerta withdrawal is generally not life-threatening and can sometimes be managed without supervision, undergoing medical detox is both safer and more comfortable.

Medical professionals provide medications to help alleviate symptoms such as high blood pressure, headaches, depression, and excessive sweating while monitoring for any major health risks that could endanger the patient.

Inpatient Treatment For Concerta Addiction and Drug Abuse

Inpatient treatment programs offer a supportive environment for those struggling with stimulants like Concerta by providing intensive therapy to help patients overcome physical and psychological dependence. Patients live at the facility full-time and participate in individual, group, and family therapy sessions while also receiving education on stimulant addiction and recovery.

If you need help with detox or inpatient care for Concerta abuse, please contact us today. While we don’t offer these services directly, we can refer you to an appropriate facility that meets your needs.