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Monday, July 24, 2017

Study: ADHD Meds Tied to Lower Substance Abuse Risk

Contrary to popular myth, using medication to treat attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) helps to prevent substance use disorders among adolescents and adults with ADHD, according to new research.

The study, which involved nearly three million people with ADHD in the United States, found that medication lowered the risk in men by 35 percent and women by 31 percent. The results were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

“This study contributes to growing evidence that ADHD medication is linked to lower risk for many types of harmful behavior, including substance abuse,” said Patrick D. Quinn, a postdoctoral researcher who led the study. “The results also highlight the importance of careful diagnosis and compliance with treatment.”

When ADHD Drugs Become Dangerous
Indeed, if you have ADHD, prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin have numerous benefits. However, abusing these drugs or using them when you don’t have ADHD, can lead to some serious health problems, including:
  • Disrupted brain function
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Loss of sleep
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Increased body temperature

Combining prescription stimulants with other drugs or alcohol can also be dangerous. This is because stimulants can conceal the effects of alcohol, for example, making it harder to gauge your level of intoxication. The result: over-consumption, significant impairment of coordination and judgment, blacking out, passing out and potential death.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Young Adults
Did you know that 70 percent of people with a substance use disorder are also battling an additional mental illness? If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction and ADHD don’t wait to seek treatment. As addiction worsens, so does the co-occurring condition — and vice versa. At Hope Academy, we specialize in treating both diseases simultaneously. To learn more, call us toll-free today: 866-930-4673.


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