Ritalin vs Cocaine, Similarities and Differences

What is Ritalin? 

What Is Cocaine? 

Cocaine is a severely addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant. It increases the natural chemical messenger (dopamine) levels in brain circuits related to the control of movement and reward. Cocaine comes in a few different forms. The most common is a fine, white powder. It can also be made into a solid rock crystal. Today, cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means that it has a high potential for abuse but can be administered by a doctor for legitimate medical uses, such as local anesthesia for some ear, eye, and throat surgeries[2].

No matter how much cocaine is taken, it is dangerous. Some of the most common serious problems include heart attack and stroke. Addiction recovery professionals recommend facing cocaine addiction with a long-term treatment plan that promotes positive decision-making and overall health improvements that include learning coping skills. 

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug used by 14-21 million people worldwide [3]. In 2018 there are 874,000 new cocaine users [4]. Since cocaine is combined or ‘cut’ with other chemicals, people have no idea if the dose will be weak or strong. These other chemicals may include fillers, such as paint chemicals, cornstarch, fentanyl, and its analogs, which are added purely to boost profits.

Ritalin Effects

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) [4], insomnia and nervousness are the most commonly reported Ritalin effects in patients using methylphenidate (Ritalin). Other frequent Ritalin effects mainly involve the CNS (dizziness, headache, tics, restlessness/akathisia), gastrointestinal (nausea/vomiting, dry mouth, decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain), and cardiovascular systems (tachycardia, and palpitations).

People who take this drug are more prone to become easily agitated, irritable, or depressed and go through mood swings/lability. Some may even develop blurry vision or decreased libido. Stroke and myocardial infarction also have been observed in adults. Due to the risk of such fatal side effects, it is advisable to avoid Ritalin in people with a structural cardiac abnormality, cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmias.

Ritalin Effects on the Brain

Investigators funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse have shown that the medication methylphenidate (Ritalin), can cause physical changes in neurons in reward regions of mouse brains—in some cases, these Ritalin effects overlapped with those of cocaine. Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and cocaine are in the class of drugs known as psychostimulants.

“Studies to date suggest that prescribed use of Ritalin in patients with ADHD does not increase their risk for subsequent addiction. However non-medical use of this drug and other stimulant medications, can lead to addiction as well as a variety of other health consequences,” said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow. ” [5] “Methylphenidate, which is thought to be a fairly innocuous compound, can have structural and biochemical effects in some regions of the brain that can be even greater than those of cocaine,” stated Dr.Yong Kim, lead author of the study. “

Short Term Effects of Cocaine Use

After just a single dose of cocaine, the user will experience the short-term effects of the drug. These effects may only stay for an hour or so, but they can still cause severe damage to the person, especially if an allergic reaction, toxicity, or overdose should happen. When cocaine is used in a moderate amount, the short-term effects may include:

Long Term Effects of Cocaine Use

With repeated use of cocaine, the brain starts to adapt so that the reward pathway becomes less sensitive to natural reinforcers. At the same time, circuits involved in stress become increasingly sensitive, leading to increased displeasure and negative moods when not taking the drug, which are signs of withdrawal. These combined effects make the user more likely to focus on seeking the drug instead of relationships, food, or other natural rewards.

With regular use of cocaine, tolerance may develop so that higher doses, more frequent use of cocaine, or both are needed to produce the same level of pleasure and relief from withdrawal experienced initially. At the same time, users can also develop sensitization, in which less cocaine is needed to produce anxiety, convulsions, or other toxic effects. Tolerance to cocaine reward and sensitization to its toxicity can increase the risk of a cocaine overdose in a regular user.

Long term effects of cocaine abuse include:

Psychological Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine effects are not limited to the stimulant effects felt within the body. A wide range of psychological effects is also present when a user abuses cocaine. Some of the more common psychological effects of cocaine use include:

When a large amount of cocaine is abused, the user may experience these psychological effects for a very long time, even long after the person is no longer using the drug.

Are Methylphenidate and Cocaine Alike?

Drugs that are classified in the same category (psychostimulants or central nervous system stimulants) share numerous similarities, or they would not be classified in the same general category. On a very basic level, all psychostimulants affect the functioning of the nervous system, such that they speed up its functioning. 

The general effects of these drugs include boosting awareness, increasing attention, lessening appetite, amplifying energy, and reducing the need for sleep. Thus, the simple answer to the question is that the drugs are alike in some respects. However, further elaboration is needed before assuming that individuals who are taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD treatment are taking cocaine.

Is Methylphenidate Safer than Cocaine? 

It appears that the effects of cocaine are experienced more rapidly in the brain than the effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin), although snorting methylphenidate in the manner that cocaine is snorted increases its onset of action. Despite the method of administration, methylphenidate appears to be eliminated from the system a bit more slowly than cocaine, making it less likely to produce physical dependence than cocaine.

The level of euphoria that is obtained with medicinal doses of methylphenidate is negligible (comparable to the use of coffee). When abused in larger amounts and in a manner similar to cocaine, the drug will produce similar effects, which is why methylphenidate is a controlled substance.

Both drugs can be abused. When methylphenidate (Ritalin) is abused. Can you snort Ritalin?  Taking Ritalin for recreation poses risks, and snorting it is never safe. It may result in severe cardiovascular issues and paranoia. The pills are often crushed and snorted or mixed with water and injected. Cocaine is often snorted, smoked, or injected.   

Both cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) can produce significant tolerance, meaning that after taking the drug for a while, a person’s system will adjust to the effects of the drug. They will need more of the drug to get the same effects that they previously achieved with smaller doses.

Cocaine and Ritalin 

Cocaine and Ritalin are both stimulants, although cocaine is illegal and Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a prescription-only medication. They work in similar ways and can be very dangerous when taken at the same time. When used together, these two substances can have dangerous results and possibly lead to overdose or death.

Individuals most commonly mix cocaine and Ritalin together to increase the intensity and length of the high. Someone combining these two drugs is most likely not aware of the risks involved and is simply looking for a more intense experience.

Immediate risks of mixing cocaine and Ritalin include:

Cocaine and Ritalin are dangerous whenever they are combined, but can also have long-term effects as well. The long-term risks are both physical and mental.

Long-term risks of mixing cocaine and Ritalin include:

Addiction Treatment

There is a strong link between mental health and substance abuse. Individuals who struggle with mood disorders like depression, ADHD, and anxiety are more susceptible to developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol, often to self-medicate symptoms of their underlying mental health condition. These co-occurring disorders can make each other worse without proper treatment. If you’re asking the question, “Ritalin vs Cocaine, which is safer?” , then you should also be aware of the risks involved in using both drugs, either separately, or combined. 

How long do Ritalin withdrawal symptoms last? If you are experiencing Ritalin withdrawal, it’s crucial to first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When the symptoms have been evaluated by a mental health professional, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular type of treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes are effective for coping with functional. 

Medically-Assisted Detox

Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of Ritalin withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of Ritalin withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Prescription drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.