This could go under so many things.. and I couldn't decide to choose children, mental and emotional health, disabilitys, medical conditions, and diseases. So I just stuck with this one. :D
my mother had me at 17, the age I am now. Surprise surprise.. my dad was 34 I think..
I know gross. But my dad has been a drug addict since he was a young adult. I don't see him very often. My mom broke it off with him when I was 12 or so. I was in junior high at the time. He practically lived on the couch, had a 12$ an hour job and was constantly broke, asking to borrow money from my mom. I was young but it was obvious to me he had a drug problem. I have been on ritalin since I was 5 years old. I was diagnosed with ADHD right around then. As I got older I started to realize I would run out of pill during the middle of the month.. =/ hmm.. how could this be? I was getting sent home from school because I wasn't taking my medicine. My mom got back with my dad my freshman year. I remember her kicking him out because he was supposed to take baily ( my little brother trick or treating) but instead he was snorting coke/pills in the garage. =/
my dad has never really been there. Expect the first few years of me and my brothers life. I am seven years old then my brother. My brother worships our dad. But I really can not see how.. maybe when he gets older he will understand. It just breaks me heart how much respect my brother has for someone like that. After my brother was born I was pushed aside. Never really bothered with me anymore. I still never get birthday cards or phone calls, or even christmas presents. But when bailys birthday rolls around. Dad calls and wants him all weekend. Or all week.


anyway... sorry I got so side tracked. :( I was wondering if my dad being on drugs caused me to have ADHD. I've always noticed the similarity. How the addicts take it to go fast. When I take ritalin to calm me down.. its like completely opposite. Does ADHD medication have crack or cocain in them? Am I more prone to becoming an addict because of my ADHD medication and my father being an addict? I've always wondered but no one could help me.

I find nothing definitive on line.

1) i was wondering if my dad being on drugs caused me to have ADHD. ive always noticed the similarity. how the addicts take it to go fast. when i take ritalin to calm me down.. its like completely opposite. 2) does ADHD medication have crack or cocain in them? 3) am i more prone to becoming an addict because of my ADHD medication and my father being an addict?
Whoever is prescribing the Ritalin should be able to answer your questions.

1) I don't know your and your father's medical history, so I can't comment on how much your dad's drug habit before you were born affected your brain chemistry.

That's what medical science found to be so fantastic about Ritalin. If someone has ADHD, instead of revving him up, Ritalin calms him down.

Here's an oversimplified explanation from essortment.com --

Doctors aren't really sure how Ritalin works on ADHD kids. Ritalin is a stimulant medication. When you consider that kids with ADHD are already over-stimulated, it is hard to understand how a stimulant drug will help to calm them down. Doctors think it has to do with some of the neurons in the brain. Instead of being balanced as they should, some of the neurons work overtime while others are underworked. For some reason, Ritalin stimulates the neurons that aren't working as they should. The area of the brain that tells one when to pay attention to certain activities and to ignore other ones is "lazy" in ADHD sufferers . Ritalin stimulates those neurons so that the child can pay attention and focus on his activities.

2) No.

3) Talk with your doctor about this.

Thanks. You helped a lot. I appreciate it.

Ritalin in children calms them, and allows them to focus and stay on task. There has always been controversy about it, as it is sometimes overused, and prescribed far to often.

In adults, it is a stimulant, and has an opposite effect than it does on children. Students in their 20's at college and university will use ritalin to stay awake and alert to study all night.

You are not prone to becoming an addict because of your father's drug use. Many times growing up with parents who have drug addictions makes you that much more cautious and aware of what drugs can do, and you will likely be, in my opinion. Less inclined to follow down that same path, because you know first hand what happens.

ADHD used in childhood, does not follow one into adulthood, because eventually, the calming effects of Ritalin, reverse, and it is a stimulant. You can be addicted to the high as an adult, but as far as I know, it is not a known drug for physically addictive properties.

I had one on an ADHD medication in her 20's, and the Psychiatrist explained to me how it works in children, and how it works in adults. It did help her for a time while she was dealing with other mental health issues.

You are not doomed to repeat the mistakes of your parents, particularly your father. He chooses a lifestyle, as well as choosing to use drugs. You do not have anything pre-disposed in your character to turn out like him.

Thanks. I'm glad to hear that.. I kind of noticed the effects with it on adults. Because I've heard of "speed" but if I get too old to take it, like now, will I get me high and can I become addicted to it. Do I need to take it now..

There is a lot of bad information on practically any drug, prescription or non prescription. One thing you can do is research the drug online, but don't get overwhelmed with the information. Some of the sites are designed to have you buy alternative medications, or inferior products.

The best way to know is to speak to the Doctor who prescribed it. Ask him/her how to know if you need more/less or any changes or additions.

It's good you ask questions. The more questions you ask, the better informed you will be.

Take care.