What Are Common Ritalin Withdrawal Symptoms?

Ritalin is a brand name drug. The generic name of Ritalin is methylphenidate. Ritalin is prescribed primarily to treat ADHD symptoms. It can also be used less commonly for the treatment of narcolepsy. Ritalin is a psychostimulant, meaning that it stimulates the activity of the central nervous system. Ritalin affects certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including norepinephrine and dopamine. While it is not considered to be highly addictive when taken as prescribed, when Ritalin is recreationally abused it has the potential for addiction and dependence. When someone uses Ritalin for a period of time, they may become dependent upon the drug, which can then trigger withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop using it. Common Ritalin withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Anger or irritation
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Foggy thinking
  • Depression
  • Increased appetite
  • Cravings
  • Concentration problems
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of motivation

Ritalin Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Duration

Certain factors can affect how long Ritalin withdrawal symptoms last. How long someone has abused the drug is one factor. The dosage someone regularly uses is another. For example, withdrawal symptoms are going to be shorter and less severe in someone who uses smaller doses, for the most part. Whether or not someone tapers down their dosage or stops “cold turkey” will influence how long symptoms last, as well as their severity.

Ritalin withdrawal may begin with an immediate crash as the drug starts to wear off. Within the first one to three days, most people will then start to experience fatigue, cravings, nausea, agitation and changes in mood. Following the first three days, and usually within the first full week, symptoms start to include depression, extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances and increased appetite. Week two of Ritalin withdrawal may include a continuation of these symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and fatigue. The symptoms can start to get better by week three and, for most people, by week four they will feel better. Some people may have symptoms that last for several months -particularly if they have used large amounts of the drug over a long period of time.

Managing Symptoms of Ritalin Withdrawal

There are different options for managing symptoms of Ritalin withdrawal. For people who have used Ritalin therapeutically, they should follow the instructions and guidelines of their physician when it comes to gradually tapering down their use of the drug. For some people who have abused the drug over a long period of time, a medical detox may be necessary. It’s best not to try and detox from Ritalin without the supervision of a medical professional because symptoms can become severe. If someone follows a tapering-down schedule for Ritalin, rather than stopping “cold turkey,” they may not experience withdrawal symptoms at all.

Withdrawal Medications and Detox

There are no specifically approved Ritalin detox medications like there are for other drugs. However, the symptoms of Ritalin withdrawal can be managed as they appear with certain medications and treatments. A medical detox center is an optimal place for many people to begin their addiction treatment journey. At a Ritalin detox center, there is monitoring of withdrawal symptoms, medications can be prescribed as needed, and complications can also be treated. When someone participates in a professional Ritalin detox program, they’re less likely to relapse and more likely to then be able to begin addiction treatment.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

  • Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
  • The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
  • The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
  • IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
  • The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
  • The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
  • The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
  • The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.
Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.