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24 Signs of Concerta Abuse and Addiction

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What is Concerta and How Is It Used?

Concerta is the brand name of a stimulant medication called Methylphenidate, a Schedule II controlled substance. This prescription drug is used as a stimulant used to increase attention span, listening skills, and organization, and decrease hyperactivity and impulsive behavior in people with narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and similar conditions.

Concerta pills are red, gray, yellow, or white cylindrical pills that are also known by the street names:

  • Kiddy Cocaine
  • Pineapple
  • Kibbles & Bits
  • Smarties
  • Skittles

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Concerta affects dopamine levels and other chemicals in the brain and nervous system. It is often abused by college students and people looking for a high as it produces hyperactivity and overstimulation. People may crush and snort large doses of these prescription stimulants, take more pills than prescribed, or inject them intravenously. If you or someone you know is struggling with Concerta abuse or addiction in the Riverside area, it’s essential to seek professional drug rehab treatment Riverside programs that can address Concerta addiction and provide the necessary support for recovery.

Concerta has a high potential for abuse, with people taking the drug to improve academic performance, concentrate better, lose weight, or get high. However, it is crucial to understand that abusing this medication is dangerous. For those seeking help, drug rehab treatment Palo Alto offers comprehensive support and care.

Abusing Concerta can have severe consequences, including:

  • Cardiovascular Risks: Concerta affects the heart and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Seizures: It can lead to convulsions, which are life-threatening.
  • Coma: In severe cases of abuse, individuals may slip into a coma.
  • Fatal Overdose: Concerta abuse can result in death.

If you or someone you know is struggling with Concerta addiction, it’s essential to seek professional help. A reputable drug rehab treatment center in Los Angeles can provide the necessary support and therapy to overcome this addiction and regain control of one’s life.

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Signs of Concerta Abuse

The most common signs of Concerta abuse include:

  1. A false sense of confidence or euphoria
  2. Restlessness or the appearance of being very busy
  3. Increased talkativeness
  4. Dry mouth
  5. Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
  6. Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
  7. Aggressive behavior and mood swings
  8. Anxiety
  9. Sweating
  10. Dilated pupils
  11. Hypertension
  12. Increased heart rate
  13. Marked weight loss and loss of appetite
  14. Paranoia, delusions, and psychosis
  15. Depression with suicidal thoughts
  16. Depression and mental exhaustion when the drug wears off

Signs you may be addicted to Concerta are:

  1. Cravings for Concerta, wanting to stop but being unable to, and obsessing over your next high
  2. Spending time trying to get the drug, doctor shopping to get multiple prescriptions
  3. Noticing serious health problems but continuing to misuse Concerta
  4. Neglecting responsibilities at work or home
  5. Using Concerta as a crutch when there is a big test, work project, or game
  6. Spending more than you can afford on buying Concerta
  7. Noticing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop
  8. Being unable to focus normally without abusing Concerta

Treatment Options for Concerta Addiction

Everybody has their own unique needs and issues when it comes to drug addiction treatment, which may include social, psychological, emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues associated with Concerta abuse. Treatment programs you may wish to look into for care include:

Inpatient treatment – in inpatient rehab, you will live inside a completely sober and comfortable treatment center, surrounded by nonjudgmental and caring individuals, with structured days filled with treatments for addiction and mental illness, education, therapy, support groups, individual counseling, and more in a customized treatment program for Concerta addiction treatment.

Outpatient rehab – these are rehabilitation programs that offer many of the same therapies and treatments as inpatient rehab, but on a part-time basis, so you can live outside the treatment center, remain close to family, go to work, etc.

12-Step programs – these are meetings and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous that offer step-by-step plans for achieving and maintaining sobriety and are very helpful as a part of an integrated treatment plan that also utilizes evidence-based treatments, behavioral therapy, and mental health care

Dual diagnosis programs – because Concerta is an ADHD medication, many people who abuse it need treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders like mental health issues in one integrated treatment plan. People with ADHD in addiction treatment may need to find an alternative medication or other methods to address their condition.

Prescription Drug Rehab at Resurgence Behavioral Health

If you want to stop taking Concerta safely, please contact our addiction treatment centers. We take health insurance to help you pay for treatment. We offer all levels of care, with safe and effective drug and alcohol treatment, providing customized, integrated treatment options that will get you on your own personal road to recovery. Treatments include:

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  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Experiential therapy
  • Trauma-Informed therapy
  • One-on-one talk therapy
  • Couples therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy

With a combination of medical detox, inpatient and outpatient drug, and alcohol rehab, and long-term aftercare and alumni services, at Resurgence, we can help you heal the root of addiction so you can achieve long-term recovery. Please contact our substance abuse treatment center today to learn more. 

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David Rofofsky
David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.


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