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"Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by shabalaba on 11-08-04 at 11:31 AM
This was quite a hot topic of discussion on my local radio station this morning. The DJ had watched Desperate Housewives last night and was aghast that somebody would take their kid's drug if they didn't need it. This is a very popular radio show for the teen sector as they play all hip hop $top 40 tunes. Some parents called in upset that she was giving the kids ideas about taking their friend's perscriptions. They had a pharmacist call in and she actually told listeners that Ritalin/Adderall has a "cocaine-like effect" on people that don't have Attention Deficit. The DJ contends that this was a "heads up" to parents who have kids on the drug to make sure that they actually take their pill and don't walk off with it because apparently, kids go sell their perscription pills at school!!! They say it's more common than not.

So that cocaine like effect worked wonders on Lynette...she finished all those costumes!!!!

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"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by motormouth on 11-08-04 at 03:46 PM
I wondered if that was true. Wow, it sure did give a "heads up" to alot of people who may not have known. (including me)



*Courtesy of IceCat*

"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by shabalaba on 11-08-04 at 05:38 PM
So let NO one say that Desperate Housewives isn't educational!!!
"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by Femme on 11-08-04 at 08:23 PM
Some parents called in upset that she was giving the kids ideas about taking their friend's perscriptions.

See, this kinda annoys me. Kids know all this stuff; parents don't, but should. How many parents didn't realize their kids were sniffing... what as it? Ether? Paint fumes? Instead of being mad that these shows (or DJs) give kids the "idea," parents should realize that more than likely, their kids already have the idea, but now, the better informed parents can combat the destructive behaviors that teenagers (and, really, all of us) tend to engage in.

I also didn't know this. During the show, I was wondering if it was actually true...

Femme

i she be your girlfriend
"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by motormouth on 11-08-04 at 11:07 PM
As a parent, I know what you mean Femme. The problem is, there are so many drugs with so many possible effects I wouldn't even know where to start. It would never have occurred to me that it could happen. Looks like I better start doing my research while my kids are still young. *sigh*



*Courtesy of IceCat*

"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by amea_gari on 11-09-04 at 04:32 AM
Ritalin doesn't have that affect on all people, even the ones who don't need it. I had a friend in HS who was very mellow and very laid back. He took Ritalin once, and said he had never been so depressed in his life.
It had the same affect on me, and though I tested with ADD (Apparently at the time it was 10 out of 14 characteristics meant you had it..not sure) I don't believe I had anything that needed to be medicated.
I've heard different things, but either way, whatever it does, it is mind-altering, and anything that is mind altering should only be taken as a last resort to correct severe disabilities. You can permanently disrupt the chemicals in your brain with these drugs, as I am now learning after almost a life time on antidepressants.


A J Slice siggy

"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by Drive My Car on 11-09-04 at 09:26 AM

I knew this! This is why Ritalin and some other ADD drugs are prescribed as special controlled substances. The prescriptions can't be phoned in to a Pharmacy, they are on a special form and must be filled within 24 hours of being dated by the Doctor.
( my Mother's heavy pain drugs for Cancer can be filled within 7 days, my Child's Concerta ( a type of Ritalin) has to be filled in 24hrs) They count the number of days your child needs pills for and you can't refill them early.

You have to fill out several forms for the school nurse to be able to give your child any med during school hours, and they are counted and recounted. One reason many kids are on a once a day med now, so the school doesn't have to keep them, and the parents have better control, also the time release ones don't seem to be being abused as much.

Some of this is because kids have abused the medication, but it's also because parents abuse the medication. For those without ADD, and some adults with it, it can make people very high. It's speed.
I don't know what it would do to me, I'd never take my child's medication.

I was shocked and amused when Lynette took it.
Love this show!

"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by Surveysez on 11-10-04 at 03:56 AM
Like Buggy, I knew this, but my data came in a trickle up - my kids have asked me about it, after hearing about it at school. It is really incredible just how efficient the kids' grapevine info system is. They seem to hear everything.

As for the show, I found it such a surprise when Lynette took it, after making the decision not to use it to prevent any med changes in her twins. So much care and concern for them, and so little for herself.

"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by Drive My Car on 11-10-04 at 07:56 AM

I saw Lynette taking it as desparate. The thing is, we often take medications without much thought, but the idea of giving a brain atering drug to your 6 yr old is different.
I took the much the same stance as Lynette did about her kids when confronted with medicating my child. I tried other things first, and I wasn't going to medicate my child just to make it easier for the teacher.
But when it came down to it, my daughter did better, and she can think clearer now, her thoughts aren't racing through her head, she can focus.
I wonder if that was a one time thing for Lynette, or if this is going to be a continuing storyline.



"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by Femme on 11-11-04 at 11:10 AM
I wonder if that was a one time thing for Lynette, or if this is going to be a continuing storyline.

Gosh, I hope not a storyline! This is Wisteria Lane, not 90210!

Femme

i she be your girlfriend

"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by amea_gari on 11-10-04 at 04:01 AM
Trust me, I have been on some drugs. Zoloft, Prozac, Trazadone. Most of the big name seretonin inhibitors, in fact. And I have never heard of the restrictions on having it refilled. Never had a problem despite having been rather erratic. So I am guessing it's a state thing, which seems fairly likely.
I just have to say, that would suck, and I don't think it would do much to curb the problem, but that is pure speculation.


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"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by Drive My Car on 11-10-04 at 07:47 AM
The drugs you mention are a completely different class of drugs.
They are used to balance chemicals in the brain, and are totally different.
Most ADD/ADHD medications are stimulents. Ritilin is a type of anphedimine. It's Speed. I am sure the controls I deal with are a "state thing" but I'd be surprised if other states didn't have similar controls. The potential for abuse is huge, because they do make people high.
There aren't the same restrictions on antidepressants because they are a different type of drug, they work differently in the brain.


"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by anotherkim on 11-14-04 at 07:14 PM
Ritalin is totally different. For example, our insurance will fill Zoloft, Celexa, or Wellbutrin in 90 day supplies. Well over 100 pills at a time in whatever dose the doctor writes. The Ritalin? They will do once every 30 days for only 30 pills. Period. And the scrips cannot have refills. It is a controlled substance. Not even in the same class as those you mentioned. There is no thriving black market for Prozac. Ritalin? You can get rich if you know where to sell it. It is like speed for grown-ups. It reacts differently with a child's system. That's why it is so closely monitored.

My sister who is a pharmacist in another state told me that this is the norm for Ritalin. It is controlled and not to be played with.



"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by kidflash212 on 07-10-16 at 03:18 PM
good to know
"RE: Adderall/Ritalin for Non ADD's"
Posted by angelworth29 on 12-11-04 at 12:12 PM
Where I live, Adderall is a pretty common drug that is readily available. I don't know how they get it, and I don't want to know, but I know it's out there. It is a horrible drug that will drive a "normal" person insane. I know someone that is an addict and she has "breakdowns" on a regular basis. It's gotten to where no one wants to be around her because she'll fly off the handle at the littlest things. She has tried to quit, but can't. I've known meth addicts, and this drug has nearly the same effect on a person.