WHAT WE TREAT
At Paracelsus Recovery, we’re here to help you break free from your Ritalin addiction, no matter how daunting that may feel. In a private and comfortable environment, we provide safe, expert-led support through withdrawal while working to address the root causes of your addiction and restore your health and well-being.
Methylphenidates such as Ritalin and Concerta are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They are often prescribed to treat ADHD/hyperactivity and narcolepsy. However, they can be taken as an illegal recreational drug to increase feelings of excitement and alertness.
Ritalin works by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine. As a result of this increased activity, an individual will feel more focused, energetic, attentive, and less hyperactive or impulsive. When we suffer from ADHD or narcolepsy, these effects can help stabilise our brain’s neurochemistry, making medically-prescribed methylphenidates safe and beneficial for the user. However, if we do not suffer from these mental health conditions, or we use more medication than prescribed, these chemical effects can become highly addictive. In addition, these medications are notoriously over-prescribed, which means millions of us are unnecessarily taking these prescription medications, only to feel a sense of euphoria (i.e. high). Because our neurochemistry does not ‘need’ this additional dopamine, it leaves us highly vulnerable to addiction.
For example, if an individual who does not need stimulant medication ingests methylphenidates like Ritalin, these drugs will drastically increase the amount of dopamine in circulation within the brain. In contrast, if you do need these medications, that increase in dopamine won’t be felt as so euphoric, as it just brings your dopamine levels to a ‘base’ line. But, when dopamine spikes beyond the ‘base,’ our brain’s reward system is hard-wired to reinforce it, and that lays the foundations for an addiction. Over time, an individual can develop a tolerance and a dependency for that stimulant.
If you have developed a Ritalin addiction, you can overcome it. However, it can be very challenging to detox from Ritalin without professional, structured support. Often, the only way to do this is to undergo a medical detox to manage the physical withdrawal symptoms and to work with mental health experts to manage the psychological withdrawal.
Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal care, we are proud to be the only clinic in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every possible root-cause of Ritalin addiction. In doing so, we can help you recover in a matter of weeks, rather than years or months.
bespoke treatment
How we treat Ritalin addiction
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve, as each individual’s experience with Ritalin addiction is deeply personal. At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand that no two recovery journeys are the same. Therefore, every client receives an entirely bespoke treatment plan moulded to their needs. However, it is important to emphasise that we do not adopt a specific treatment model. Instead, we advocate for a completely pragmatic approach to addiction; whatever works best for you to achieve your goals.
Your time with us will be thoughtfully structured to include a variety of handpicked therapies to help you overcome your Ritalin addiction. From withdrawal to intensive therapy, every step is tailored to you. All the therapies we use are designed to complement one another, restoring every aspect of your physical, emotional, and psychological health and helping you reclaim control of your life. See below for more details.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
We understand that everyone’s journey is different, which is why we never take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Instead, we carefully tailor each programme to meet your unique needs. While we prioritise the latest treatment methods and holistic care, it’s your individual circumstances that ultimately shape how we work with you.
As part of your recovery from Ritalin, we provide a carefully managed withdrawal process supported by medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and IVs to ease withdrawal symptoms. Another key feature of treatment is extensive testing to uncover the underlying reasons for your dependency. This understanding allows us to create a personalised treatment plan designed to help you overcome it for good. Your bespoke programme will feature therapies such as biofeedback, bioresonance, nutritional therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), sleep therapies, acupuncture and art therapy.
However, we go beyond simply treating any underlying factors contributing to your Ritalin dependence; we also focus on addressing the wider impact. This involves treating any neurological or physical damage resulting from your addiction. Our treatments typically involve intensive psychotherapy, biochemical restoration, and complementary therapies to support a long-term, robust recovery.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
We are the only residential drug treatment centre in the world to provide a minimum of 15 dedicated professionals to each client.
Guiding your recovery are a team of over 15 experts. A dedicated clinical nurse specialist and psychiatrist will carry out and supervise your withdrawal. Other key members of your team are an experienced addiction psychotherapist and qualified nurse who stay at the same residence with you 24/7. World-class doctors, psychiatrists, trauma psychotherapists and complementary therapists complete this team who will provide round-the-clock treatments and care. No matter the unique blend of treatments you receive, they will be delivered with the Swiss medical excellence we are known for.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
Each of our treatment programmes is carefully curated to each client’s specific set of needs. Those needs may be physical and psychological, e.g. if our team identifies nutritional deficiencies or signs of other addictions during the assessment period, your programme would be shaped with these in mind. However, those needs can be practical too, such as when a client needs to work or travel during their stay with us.
We can provide treatment for Ritalin addiction and any co-occurring dependencies and mental health conditions at our discrete addiction treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING
