What do you consider to be a “normal” dose? I’ve heard of people using 60+ mg of Ritalin and thinking that’s normal. Ritalin is a powerful stimulant at 5 or 10mg. You can get lower doses or different formulations - e.g. 5 or 10mg at extended release to last through the day.

Extended release is usually preferred by doctors in part because you avoid the highs and lows.

Regardless of what “normal” practice is, if you are getting high from methylphenidate, the dose is wrong, and if you can’t get therapeutic effects at a dose low enough to avoid a “brutal” comedown, you should be looking for alternatives.