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Concerta Addiction Treatment Program

a group talks during concerta addiction treatmentLike other medications, people tend to think of Concerta as safe because it is a prescribed drug. But the reality is that their perceptions of safety only contribute to its risks. When people take it according to their doctor’s instructions, there is usually no problem. It works well, and people get relief from their symptoms. Problems arise when people abuse it, which has been happening more over the last few years. Concerta addiction treatment can help people struggling to quit the drug overcome their dependence to live healthier lives.

Northpoint Washington has Concerta addiction treatment programs designed to help people understand why they started taking the drug and how to manage their cravings. We believe in providing a holistic approach to addiction treatment, including counseling and activities that focus on healing the mind and body. Learn more about our substance abuse rehab in Edmonds, WA by calling 888.450.2153.

What Is Concerta?

Concerta is a prescription stimulant that is very closely related to Ritalin. Doctors use it to help children and adults with ADHD manage their symptoms. It’s quite effective, but it’s also frequently abused.

The generic name for this drug is methylphenidate HCL. It may also be sold under several different brand names, such as:

  • Aptensio XR
  • Cotempla XR-ODT
  • Metadate CD or ER
  • Methylin
  • QuilliChew ER
  • Qullivant XR

Regardless of the name, Concerta is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It helps people with ADHD by causing changes in brain chemistry that help them focus better and improve their ability to control impulsive behavior.

Concerta’s Side Effects

When you take Concerta for any reason, you are likely to experience some side effects. If you’re taking this drug and don’t have a prescription for it, the following side effects will likely be even worse. Knowing what taking this drug can do to your mind and body is important.

It’s possible to experience some of the short-term effects of Concerta after only taking it one time. You could suffer from:

  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Fever
  • An increased heart rate
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Trouble sleeping at night
  • Stomach pain
  • Painful headaches
  • Bouts of dizziness
  • Painful erections in men

There are dangerous long-term consequences that can result from Concerta abuse.

Long-Term Effects of Concerta

The longer you take Concerta, the more apt you are to experience some of the long-term effects, and these can include:

  • Vivid auditory or visual hallucinations
  • A high blood pressure
  • Heart attack or other heart issues
  • Stroke
  • Decreased appetite and weight loss
  • The onset of seizures
  • A tendency to bruise easily

Because of how quickly this drug can cause you to lose weight, additional health issues can arise when you’ve been taking it for a period of time.

How People Abuse Concerta

There are a lot of ways people can abuse Concerta to get high. Most will start out by simply swallowing the pills. Eventually, they may increase their dosages once they start to form a tolerance to it.

People struggling to stop using the drug may begin chewing the pills or crushing them into a powder to snort them to try and expedite the effects. Some individuals will dissolve the pills in water or another solution and then inject them. This is incredibly dangerous because the drug contains insoluble fibers that can block blood vessels.

How to Recognize Concerta Addiction

There are a lot of ways to tell if you’re addicted to Concerta. You may want to begin by simply looking for some of the signs of addiction in yourself.

Some of the signs you may have an addiction include:

  • Chronic sleep problems
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased body temperature
  • Bouts of anxiety or even panic attacks
  • Anger and agitation
  • Mood swings
  • Bouts of paranoia
  • Problems making good decisions

People with Concerta addictions will frequently try to get multiple prescriptions from different doctors. This is known as doctor shopping, and it’s extremely dangerous. They may also try to purchase their medications online or on the street.

Can You Quit Using Concerta if You’re Addicted?

It is possible to quit taking this drug if you’re addicted to it. However, that’s something that should never be attempted without professional help. Talking with an addiction treatment expert can help you find out the best way to proceed.

Still, it is possible to recover. Right now, you may feel that you’re so stuck in your addiction that there’s nothing you can do. With the right professional help, you can begin the journey of recovery.

Once you stop taking Concerta, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms that can be quite troubling. In fact, they are usually difficult enough to derail a quit very fast.

Some of the more common Concerta withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Chronic headaches
  • A decreased heart rate
  • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Hallucinations or delusions
  • Fatigue during the day

You’re very likely to crave this drug once you stop taking it. The cravings can be very hard to resist, which is why getting professional help is so important.

How Can Rehab Help You Recover?

It’s not enough for you to just work on the physical part of your addiction. You also need to work on the mental part as well. Since you started using, your brain has been convinced that you need this drug. It’s vital to understand what it was that led you to become addicted to it. That’s what you’ll be working on during addiction therapy.

Concerta Addiction Rehab at Northpoint Washington

Once a person gets addicted to Concerta, it can be very difficult to stop using it. Whether it is being used as a study drug or as a way to get high, many people need treatment to recover.

At Northpoint Washington, our drug treatment program offers help for people who are addicted to Concerta. We take a personalized approach with our patients, and because we keep our population small, we can give them the attention they need. Our facility has a high staff-to-patient ratio which gives our patients an advantage in recovery.

Learn more about our Concerta addiction treatment program in Edmonds, WA by contacting us online or calling 888.450.2153.