Risk of Addiction to ADHD Therapies

Risk of Addiction to ADHD Therapies

3 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.

Emotional dysregulation in ADHD
Emotional dysregulation in ADHD
2 years ago

Emotional dysregulation is a common symptom of ADHD, particularly in adults. This refers to difficulty regulating emotions, including intense or prolonged emotional reactions tha...

Holistic Mental Health Care
Holistic Mental Health Care
3 years ago

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

How can Integrative Holistic Medicine help me?
How can Integrative Holistic Medicine help me?
6 years ago

When a physician claims a holistic/ integrative approach to medical care, she usually faces either admiration or incredulity and disgust. I can attest to that from personal experience and my additi...