top of page
Search

Prescription Stimulants Do Not Increase the Risk of Illicit Drug Use in Adolescents

Writer's picture: m.t. wilson, phdm.t. wilson, phd

McCabe and colleagues (2023) in a recent study found that prescription stimulant medication use for the treatment of ADHD does not increase adolescents’ risk for illicit drug use as young adults; however, adolescents who divert and/or misuse stimulants are 2.5 times more likely to use cocaine or methamphetamine during young adulthood.


The University of Michigan study of 5,034 U.S. high school seniors found that adolescents with ADHD who used stimulant therapy were no more likely to use cocaine and methamphetamine at ages 19 to 24 than their neurotypical peers. However, the study found that 20% to 34% of teens who misused prescription stimulants during high school later used cocaine or methamphetamine as young adults. Researchers also reported associations between baseline marijuana use and later cocaine and methamphetamine use.


Early treatment of ADHD and its continued treatment across the lifespan reduce the risk for substance use and substance use disorders. Stimulant treatment for ADHD before age 9 seems to be associated with the biggest reduction in the risk for later SUD. One study showed that children who started stimulant treatment after this age were at greater risk for substance use during adolescence than were children who started earlier. The same study also showed that early onset stimulant treatment of ADHD does not increase the risk for using cocaine or methamphetamine — both stimulants.


Stimulants for ADHD Curbs Risk of Substance Abuse Disorder


ADHD can be a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUD); however, the University of Michigan research team said that the study’s results suggest that prescription stimulants for ADHD provide a “potential protective effect.”


These findings should be comforting to parents who have teenagers taking stimulants for ADHD, who worry that these medications may lead to the use of illicit stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine as their children enter young adulthood and become more independent.




McCabe, S.E., Schulenberg, J.E., Wilens, T.E., Schepis, T.S., McCabe, V.V., Veliz, P.T. (2023). Cocaine or Methamphetamine Use During Young Adulthood Following Stimulant Use for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder During Adolescence. JAMA Netw Open. 6(7):e2322650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0436-6

4 views0 comments

Kommentare


  • Instagram
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
bottom of page