Daytrana Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Daytrana Abuse

Stimulant abuse and addiction have become increasingly common conditions in the U.S. Abuse and addiction can occur with both prescribed and non-prescribed use of stimulants such as Daytrana (methylphenidate).

Daytrana prescriptions are common due to the medication’s therapeutic effects and success in treating certain conditions. However, it’s important to practice caution when using the drug as it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Addiction must be treated professionally and is not something to take lightly. In this article, you’ll learn all about Daytrana addiction, including why it happens, how it can affect your health, and signs of addiction to look out for.

Used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, Daytrana is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant delivered via transdermal patch. CNS stimulants directly interact with the spinal cord and brain.

These medications work by altering brain chemistry through changes in neurotransmitter levels. In Daytrana’s case, the brain is stimulated to release higher levels of dopamine. Dopamine is part of your brain’s reward system, which is why methylphenidate is an effective stimulant.

Similarly, the medication can have euphoric effects due to its ability to increase dopamine levels. However, this occurs most commonly with improper use of Daytrana. The euphoria people experience with stimulant abuse is often what encourages them to continue using drug

As such, misuse can very quickly lead to a full-blown addiction. Repeated use encouraged by enticing stimulant effects can lead to dependence over time.

When talking about drug use, many people use the terms abuse and addiction interchangeably, but it’s important to know that they are two separate conditions.

Abuse is defined as any nonprescribed use of a medication, such as Daytrana. This can include wearing patches longer than prescribed, wearing multiple patches at once, using patches without a prescription, or using patches more frequently than prescribed.

As mentioned previously, even occasional stimulant abuse can turn into an addiction. Once your brain starts to depend on Daytrana to function, you have developed a psychological dependence on the drug, which is the foundation of addiction.

Stimulant abuse occurs for many reasons, one of the most common being its ability to help individuals in high-pressure environments, such as students and certain professionals. People may think using these drugs every so often is okay, but it can get out of hand very quickly.

Yes, two kinds of dependence can occur with Daytrana use. The first is psychological dependence, which is defined as the brain relying on medication to function properly. Psychological dependence can make it hard to stop thinking about stimulants and lead to intense cravings.

The other type of dependence seen in Daytrana users is physical dependence. Physical dependence occurs when the body relies on a drug to function. Essentially, your body gets used to having stimulants in its system and eventually expects them to always be there.

Withdrawal symptoms can make addiction recovery very difficult. If you stop taking a medication like Daytrana suddenly, you’ll likely experience significant withdrawal symptoms. They can be incredibly uncomfortable and even dangerous without proper care and supervision.

Another puzzle piece in dependence on stimulants is the likelihood of developing a tolerance to these medications. With long-term use, your body may need a higher dose of Daytrana to feel the same effects you felt when you first started taking it. Without proper monitoring, this can cause people to take dangerous amounts of the medication.

Similarly, because Daytrana directly interacts with the brain, extended use can rewire the brain, increasing your risk for abuse and addiction. If you notice signs of dependence, talk to your healthcare provider right away.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may be addicted to Daytrana, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of stimulant use disorder. There are physical, psychological, and behavioral signs you may notice.

Physical signs associated with stimulant addiction can include changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, weight loss, and high blood pressure. Physical signs aren’t always easy to spot in other people, so you may want to look out for psychological and behavioral signs as well.

Stimulant addiction can affect your mental health, leading to psychological signs like agitation, anxiety, or mood swings. Keep in mind, these signs will likely be out of character for the individual.

Behavioral signs are also very indicative of addiction. You may notice secrecy (especially in teens), doctor shopping, patch hoarding, or withdrawal from normal activities. In children, sudden changes in behavior may also be a sign.

Other behavioral signs that can sometimes go unnoticed include isolation, academic or social decline, poor job performance, or weakened relationships.

Addiction is a very personal condition that affects individuals differently. That means some people may show more signs of addiction than others. Additionally, these signs alone do not replace the need for an official addiction diagnosis.

The physical dependence often associated with stimulants like Daytrana can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop taking the medication all at once. Withdrawal symptoms can range from person to person based on several factors.

Both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping Daytrana.

Physical symptoms of Daytrana withdrawal include:

• Oversleeping
• Weakness
• Increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Intense cravings
• Slowed movement

Psychological withdrawal symptoms are also common:

• Depression
• Irritability
• Nightmares
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Slowed thinking

Typically, withdrawal symptoms appear a few hours to a few days after your last dose of Daytrana. In most cases, they peak in intensity about three days after onset and can last several weeks to months.

The duration, severity, and number of withdrawal symptoms you experience after stopping Daytrana can be affected by how long you’ve used the drug, how severe your addiction is, your general health, and your Daytrana dosage.

Withdrawal is not an easy process to go through and can often encourage people to go back to drug abuse. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Medical supervision during withdrawal can make the process safer and less uncomfortable.

Side effects associated with Dayatrana can differ between individuals. That being said, these effects are much more common with stimulant abuse. Side effects may be short-term, long-term, or even fatal.

Short-term side effects are those that occur immediately after Daytrana use. Long-term side effects are often the result of long-term abuse. Long-term effects can damage your physical and mental health, sometimes permanently.

Short-term side effects can be unpleasant for many people, while for others, they can necessitate immediate medical attention.

Short-term effects may include:

• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Tics
• Dizziness
• Joint pain
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Loss of skin color
• Stomach cramps
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Increased blood pressure
• Itching, skin rash, or hives
• Weight loss
• Euphoria
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Priapism
• Slowed growth in children
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling paranoid
• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Racing heart
• Blood flow issues
• Increased heart rate
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble breathing
• Redness, irritation, or itching where the patch is applied
• Decreased or loss of appetite
• Sudden and frequent mood swings
• Stomach pain
• Glaucoma
• Nausea and vomiting
• Daytrana overdose

As previously mentioned, many people build up a tolerance to Daytrana with long-term use. This can cause people to take very high doses of Daytrana to feel the same effects. This can lead to an overdose in some cases.

Drug overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. If you notice signs of Daytrana overdose, such as hallucinations, tremor, sweating, muscle pain or weakness, fever, dilated pupils, muscle twitches, coma, pounding in your neck or ears, seizure, vomiting, agitation, fast or pounding heartbeats, confusion, dry mouth, or headache, call 911 right away. An overdose can lead to permanent damage and even death.

Long-term side effects often occur with repeated use over an extended period and can permanently affect your health.

Long-term effects can include:

• Severe weight loss
• Anxiety disorders
• Circulatory problems
• Cognitive decline
• Cardiovascular issues

It’s important to know that anyone who uses Daytrana is at risk for abuse and addiction, but not everyone who uses it will develop these conditions. Certain groups of people may be at higher risk of developing an addiction.

A genetic predisposition to substance addiction can greatly increase your risk of addiction. You may be genetically predisposed to addiction if someone in your family has a history of addiction. The same goes for a personal history of substance abuse. If you previously or currently abuse other substances, Daytrana may not be a good choice for you.

Certain mental health disorders may also increase your risk. This is because mental illnesses like depression, ADHD, and anxiety are commonly associated with addiction and can exacerbate it. Mental health conditions that occur in tandem with addiction are called co-occurring disorders.

Academic stress in children and teens is also linked to an increased risk of Daytrana addiction. Stimulants can help students under pressure stay awake longer or focus harder when cramming for a test or getting a long project done.

People who have a prescription for Daytrana or know someone with a prescription are also more likely to abuse the medication or become addicted to it. This is because accessibility is no longer a barrier.

If you have risk factors for stimulant addiction, make sure to discuss this with your doctor. You may need to be monitored extra carefully when taking Daytrana or be prescribed an alternative with a lower potential for addiction.

While you might be able to recognize the signs of addiction in yourself or someone else, diagnosing Daytrana addiction requires a professional evaluation by a doctor.

If someone you care about is unwilling to seek a medical assessment for addiction, you can encourage them to use online screening tools or self-assessments. Alternatively, you might consider organizing an intervention to persuade them to seek help.

During your evaluation, it’s important to be honest with your doctor about your Daytrana use to get an accurate diagnosis. You can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your behaviors, physical symptoms, and thoughts surrounding your Daytrana use.

Questions may include topics like:

• Attempts to quit and whether they were successful
• Frequency and amount of use
• Tolerance levels (needing more Daytrana to feel the same effects)
• Impact on daily life, such as relationships, work, or responsibilities
• Physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms

Proper diagnosis is very important as it can lead you down the road to recovery. With a proper diagnosis, your provider will be able to evaluate the severity of your addiction and what kind of treatment you need.

Your healthcare provider will also use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose your addiction. The DSM-5 provides a list of criteria an individual must meet to be diagnosed with stimulant use disorder.

The DSM-5 lists the following as symptoms of stimulant use disorder:

1. Using larger amounts and/or over a longer period than intended
2. Unable to cut down or control use
3. Spending a lot of time in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of the stimulant
4. Craving stimulants
5. Stimulant use interferes with taking care of responsibilities at work, school, or home
6. Continued use despite stimulants causing persistent social or interpersonal problems
7. Giving up previously enjoyed activities because of use
8. Recurrent use in situations that increase the chances of getting hurt
9. Continued use despite persistent physical or psychological problems caused by stimulants
10. Tolerance to stimulants
11. Withdrawal symptoms when stopping stimulants

The number of criteria you meet in the list above helps evaluate your addiction severity. You don’t need to meet all of the criteria to be diagnosed. Those who meet two to three criteria are considered to have a mild addiction, four to five are considered to have a moderate addiction, and those with six or more criteria over 12 months are considered severe.

Catching your addiction while it is mild to moderate can make an immense difference in your recovery, often leading to more positive treatment outcomes. Even severe addictions can be treated and managed with professional care.

Used to treat the symptoms of ADHD, Daytrana is a CNS stimulant that works to increase dopamine levels in the brain. It can be very effective in therapeutic use, but is linked to a high risk for abuse and addiction. With improper use, it can also have euphoric effects that encourage repeated use.

Prescribed and non-prescribed use of Daytrana can lead to abuse and addiction over time, both of which must be treated professionally. It’s important that you catch stimulant addiction early for the best treatment outcomes.

If you or your loved one is struggling with stimulant use disorder, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Call the RehabNet helpline today for additional information and guidance on Daytrana addiction.