3. RESEARCH PROBLEM; JUSTIICATION; AIM:
3.1. Research Problem
The researcher’s primary evidence of possible misuse of methylphenidate (MP) comes from non-scientific sources.
According to the Health24 website, South Africa has a higher rate of prescribing medication for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than the United States of America (USA) ("SA has one of the highest prescription rates for ADHD medication", 2016) despite only having an estimated adult prevalence rate of 3.5% for ADHD diagnosis in 2011(Van Schalkwyk & Schronen, 2011).
Methylphenidate (MP), commonly known as Ritalin or Concerta, is the most popular psychoactive substance prescribed for ADHD (Bell, Partridge, Lucke, & Hall, 2013; Maier, Liechti, Herzig, & Schaub, …show more content…
Many studies have been conducted in USA, Australia and Europe regarding the prevalence of non-medical use of prescription stimulants or the correlational misuse of illicit substances with MP. However, very few studies have been conducted regarding any behavioural patterns of students misusing to MP and no studies have been conducted regarding psychological dependence patterns on just MP. Moreover, despite there being various studies stating the growing awareness and documenting the misuse of methylphenidate on campuses overseas (Maier, Liechti, Herzig, & Schaub, 2013); research has not yet been conducted in South Africa regarding the prevalence or misuse of the substance.
For the purpose of this study, the term “misuse” has been adapted from a study conducted by White, Becker-Blease, & Grace-Bishop (2006). The term will be used to describe either of the following circumstances: (1) the intake of the stimulant without a legitimate prescription; (2) use of stimulant with prescription, but with unintended doses for partying, staying awake or academic activities (White, Becker-Blease, & Grace-Bishop, …show more content…
Blocking of the DAT causes an increase in the extra-cellular dopamine levels. The increase, in turn, reduces the backfiring rate of neuronal cells and thus leading to a decline in non-task related activity. Therefore, an increase in dopamine reduces unwanted activity and leads to an increase in attention and reduces one’s distractibility (Agay, Yechiam, Carmel, & Levkovitz, 2010; Volkow et al., 2001). Consequently, the therapeutic doses of MP treat the primary symptom of ADHD, namely deficiency in attention, by increasing the dopamine
3.1. Research Problem
The researcher’s primary evidence of possible misuse of methylphenidate (MP) comes from non-scientific sources.
According to the Health24 website, South Africa has a higher rate of prescribing medication for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than the United States of America (USA) ("SA has one of the highest prescription rates for ADHD medication", 2016) despite only having an estimated adult prevalence rate of 3.5% for ADHD diagnosis in 2011(Van Schalkwyk & Schronen, 2011).
Methylphenidate (MP), commonly known as Ritalin or Concerta, is the most popular psychoactive substance prescribed for ADHD (Bell, Partridge, Lucke, & Hall, 2013; Maier, Liechti, Herzig, & Schaub, …show more content…
Many studies have been conducted in USA, Australia and Europe regarding the prevalence of non-medical use of prescription stimulants or the correlational misuse of illicit substances with MP. However, very few studies have been conducted regarding any behavioural patterns of students misusing to MP and no studies have been conducted regarding psychological dependence patterns on just MP. Moreover, despite there being various studies stating the growing awareness and documenting the misuse of methylphenidate on campuses overseas (Maier, Liechti, Herzig, & Schaub, 2013); research has not yet been conducted in South Africa regarding the prevalence or misuse of the substance.
For the purpose of this study, the term “misuse” has been adapted from a study conducted by White, Becker-Blease, & Grace-Bishop (2006). The term will be used to describe either of the following circumstances: (1) the intake of the stimulant without a legitimate prescription; (2) use of stimulant with prescription, but with unintended doses for partying, staying awake or academic activities (White, Becker-Blease, & Grace-Bishop, …show more content…
Blocking of the DAT causes an increase in the extra-cellular dopamine levels. The increase, in turn, reduces the backfiring rate of neuronal cells and thus leading to a decline in non-task related activity. Therefore, an increase in dopamine reduces unwanted activity and leads to an increase in attention and reduces one’s distractibility (Agay, Yechiam, Carmel, & Levkovitz, 2010; Volkow et al., 2001). Consequently, the therapeutic doses of MP treat the primary symptom of ADHD, namely deficiency in attention, by increasing the dopamine