It is currently a Schedule II controlled substance. The population that misuses the drug varies from middle school-age children to adults. There have been many reports of undergraduate and graduate students misusing the drug to stay awake to study for exams and write papers.
Many users take pills in high doses.
Others crush the pills and snort or inject the powder, causing a much stronger stimulant effect. However, when used in heavier doses, or by people without ADHD, the drug has different effects. Possible effects include hypertension, impaired judgement, impulsiveness, extreme agitation, manic symptoms, rapid heart rate, and jumpiness. In high doses the effects include psychosis, and cardiac and neurological complications. High doses of Ritalin may also exacerbate schizophrenia in those with preexisting mental disorders.