Megadose intranasal methylphenidate (Ritalin) abuse in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly co‐occurring with other psychiatric disorders including substance use disorders. Stimulants have proven to be the pharmacological treatment of choice of ADHD along the life span. Contrary to media hype which compared the addictive potential of methylphenidate (MPD) to cocaine, only a handful of case studies on the abuse of prescription MPD by ADHD patients have been published. This case study centers on the treatment management and aftercare implications of an adult ADHD patient who abused 700 mg of prescribed MPD intranasally during a 3‐day binge.

Key words:

• ADHD
• stimulants
• methylphenidate
• Ritalin
• abuse

Notes

Addiction Psychiatry Training Program, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut.

To whom correspondence should be addressed at University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030–2103; e‐mail: [email protected].