If ADHD medications like Ritalin are chemically similar to substances like cocaine and amphetamines, does that mean they are addictive? Technically, the answer is no.  Although both Ritalin (methylphenidate) and cocaine stimulate the production of dopamine, Ritalin takes longer to metabolize while cocaine works instantly. For pleasure-seeking recreational users who want the immediate gratification of stimulants, this makes all the difference in the world.  The effects of cocaine wear off faster than Ritalin, causing the user to crave for more drugs to sustain the high. Based on this major difference, experts conclude that ADHD medications metabolize too slowly to be habit-forming – as long as kids and teens take their pills as instructed by their doctor, that is.

But as it turns out, not all teens that use ADHD medications take them as prescribed.  In fact, many of them might not even have ADHD. According to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, the number of teens who overdosed on ADHD medications rose 76% over the last seven years.

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Stimulant medications are not the only drugs used to treat ADHD in children.  Over the last several years, doctors have been turning to antidepressant medications like Desipramine and Imipramine for various reasons. Sometimes, these drugs are prescribed because of a co-morbid mood disorder like depression or anxiety.  In other cases, anti-depressants are given when stimulants fail to yield positive results.  Many believe that the increase in the use of anti-depressants for ADHD is a response to popular media’s criticism of stimulant medications and its harmful side effects. But are anti-depressants necessarily more effective and safe than stimulant medications? Can mood disorders and behavioral problems be treated naturally?

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While stimulant medications have helped some children reduce their hyperactivity and inattention, we cannot ignore the fact that a number of children need a more comprehensive treatment for ADHD. Not only do ADHD medications fail to work in the long run, but they also carry serious long-term side effects. Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier to get children and parents to agree to use stimulant drugs. According to a study published in Pediatrics, one in 20 American children received free drug samples from their doctors a year. As for those who decided to take prescription medications that year, almost one in 10 received a free sample. However, the study points out that these free samples may be unsafe.

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Wondering what long-term use of ADHD medications may be doing to your child’s brain, then check out this excellent article on ADHD Drugs published in Scientific American.

There are many effective natural alternative treatments for children with ADHD. Why should you take the risk to have your child experience serious side-effects and unknown long-terms effect.

Don’t play Russian Roulette with your child brain. Check out the Unritalin Solution.