Risk of Addiction to ADHD Therapies

Risk of Addiction to ADHD Therapies

4 years ago

As a Maryland and Ohio physician who has dedicated most of his professional career to treating addiction disorders, I’m always cognizant when evaluating a new patient for potential of developing tolerance and addictions to therapies that are offered. I do believe that most patients with ADHD are misunderstood and maligned as to being prone to abuse their treatment. Once the proper screening is done at the onset most patients are not prone to abuse their therapies and in fact are reluctant to take the appropriate doses of medication such as stimulants prescribed to them. Amidst the pandemic, our current culture of hyper alertness on developing addictions from prescribed medication‘s at times seems to inhibit proper seeking of treatment and solving problems. Daily, I face patients that I have been shamed and put down by relatives,  coworkers, and even pharmacy staff when they are trying to fill their prescriptions, as if they are doing something wrong!. Many studies starting from childhood do in fact demonstrate that a proper diagnoses in addressing the range of ADHD disorders reduces the risk of substance abuse later in life.

5 Steps to Survive Extremes of Political Discourse
5 Steps to Survive Extremes of Political Discourse
5 years ago

Some might wonder why a psychiatrist would dare to comment on the current political climate and the unhealthy dialogue that is going on. The reality is that most people, including the patients that...

Holistic Mental Health Care
Holistic Mental Health Care
4 years ago

There is no universally agreed-upon definition of what a holistic mental healthcare system would l...

ADHD Misunderstandings
ADHD Misunderstandings
4 years ago

Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding about ADHD syndrome in adults is that it is one fixed conditi...