According to Boffey (2015), there were more than a million prescriptions of Ritalin in 2014. This was more than double the rate of prescription of the same drug that was experienced a decade ago. This significant increase has led to an increase in concern among professionals in the fields of behavioral and mental health. These figures are considered to be an indication of a system that has been run down, leading to a massive increase in the number of cases of misdiagnosis and unnecessary prescription of stimulants such as Ritalin. The guideline given by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggests that prescription of stimulants such as Ritalin should be a last resort (Artkinson & Hollis, 2010). This is based on the fact that there are safer alternatives. However, the high rate which Ritalin is prescribed is an implication that the guide line by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is not being followed diligently. Therefore, it can be said that over prescription Ritalin is a serious problem in the field of mental health.
There are systems that are supposed to offer support for children with ADHD. However Johnston, O’Malley, Miech, Bachman, & Schulenberg (2017) assert that such systems have insufficient funding and resources, thus leading to a high rate in which is UK-based, it is easier for children suffering from ADHD to end up taking Ritalin. Therefore, it can be said that over prescription of Ritalin is a problem that results from the real or perceived inability of preferable alternatives to serve all the children who are suffering from ADHD.
Jaber, Rigler, Shuper & Diamond (2017) are of the opinion that when it comes to the treatment of ADHD and other mental disorders, many professionals opt for what is the easiest prescription to give. As far as the use of Ritalin is concerned, all the professionals have to do is give the prescription. After the prescription, it becomes the responsibility of the patients and their loved ones to make sure that the prescription are followed. Despite the fact that programs such as parent training programs have provided to be effective in the treatment of ADHD, (Mills 2014) asserts that such programs are barely being offered. Therefore, Ritalin often turns out to be a reasonable option. In the spirit of patient centered care, there has also been an increase in the extent to which parents and guardian choose Ritalin over the other option. The most commonly given reason for the choice of Ritalin over the available alternatives is the reduction of the time and engagement needed to make most of the alternatives successful. Even with such reasons, it is still clear that the use of Ritalin should be a last resort for the treatment of ADHD.
Garasic & Lavazza (2016) assert that ADHD, which can be considered an essentially typical behavior among children, has been highly medicalized. Tantrums, naughtiness, and the inability to keep calm are common problems with children. Therefore, the high rate which medicinal solution such as the prescription of Ritalin should be a cause of concern. The rate in which prescription of Ritalin is increasing is a result of the choice of medication instead of the available alternatives. Garasic & Lavazza (2016) argue that while medication might have some positive results such as the improvement of the cognitive functions and calmness, the results are often not sustainable. Continued medications denies children the chance of developing specific strategies that might help them cope with ADHD. A study undertaken at Colorado University in 2010 revealed that when children with ADHD were given a sugar pill and told they were taking Ritalin, their symptoms disappeared in the same rate in which they did when the were given real Ritalin(Warner,2010). This is an implication that there are many situations in which Ritalin was unnecessarily prescribed.
Pereanez (2017) argues that the over prescription of Ritalin takes place because the loved ones of people who have ADHD often overlook the importance of finding an explanation for the symptoms before opting for medication. There are some cases that some of the symptoms associated with ADHD might have other causes. For instance, family stress, skills deficit, anxiety, and poor nutrition might sometimes lead to symptoms that can be misdiagnosed as ADHD. In such cases, the child or adult taking the drug will have been subjected to a scenario of misdiagnosis. This is the main reason as to why drugs such as Ritalin should always be limited. Such limitations can be effective in making sure that there is a reduction of cases where by family members jump to the conclusion that child has ADHD.
A study by Chang, Lichtenstein , Halldner , D’Onitrio, Serlachius, faze & Larsson (2014) shows that children who are medicated for ADHD are six times less likely to have drug abuse problems are compared to those who use alternatives remedies for ADHD. This is an implication that medication for ADHD can be a way through drug abuse among children and adults with ADHD can be limited. A study by Ashok, Mizuno, Volkow & Howes (2017) also reveals that there is no relationship between the use of Ritalin in the treatment of ADHD during childhood and the engagement in drug abuse in adulthood. When an individual has ADHD they always suffer from low levels of dopamine in the brain (Tarver, Daley, & Sayal, 2014). The role played by Ritalin is to raise the level of dopamine in the brain to the appropriate levels. This is a capability that none of existing alternatives have, and thus the reason as to why failure to use Ritalin might increase chances of drug abuse. When people with ADHD are not medicated, might end up seeking replacement of dopamine from other substances, thus leading to drug abuse.
Tarver, J., Daley, D., & Sayal, K (2014). Attention -deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD): an updated review of the essential facts. Child: care. Health and development, 40(6), 762-774.
Ashok, A.H., Mizuno.Y, Volkow, N.D, & Howes, O.D. (2017). Association of stimulant use with dopaminergic alterations in uses of cocaine, amphetamine, or methamphetamine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 74(5), 511-519.
Chang, Z., Lichtenstein, P., Halldner, L., D’Onofrio, B., Serlachius, E., Fazel, S., & Larsson, H. (2014). Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55 (8), 878-885.
Boffey, D. (2015). Prescriptions for Ritalin and other ADHD drugs double in a decade. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/15/ritalin-prescriptions-double-decade-adhd-mental-health
Garasic, M.D., & Lavazza, A. (2016). Moral and social reasons to acknowledge the use of cognitive enhancers in competitive -selective contexts. BMC medical ethics, 17(1), 18.
Pereanez, J.A.G.(2017). Arguments for Discussion in Bioethics, on the medication of Children with a Diagnosis of Hyperactivity (ADHD). DEStech Transaction on Environment, Energy and Earth Sciences, (eesd).
Warner, J. (2010). We’ve got issues: Children and parents in the age of medication. Penguin.
Johnston, L.D., O’Malley, P, M., Miech, R. A., Bachman, J.G., & Schulenburg, J. E (2017). Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975-2016: Overview, Key Findings on Adolescents Drug Use. Institute for social research.
Atkinson, M., & Hollis, C. (2010). NICE guideline: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood-Education and Practice, 95(1), 24-27.
