Risk of Addiction to ADHD Therapies

Risk of Addiction to ADHD Therapies

2 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.

Intimacy, Sexuality and ADHD
Intimacy, Sexuality and ADHD
1 year ago

ADHD can have a significant impact on intimacy and sexuality in adults. Individuals with ADHD may experience difficulties in their sexual relationships, such as low libido,...

I Think I Have ADHD: Adult Symptom & Diagnosis Guide
I Think I Have ADHD: Adult Symptom & Diagnosis Guide
4 years ago

Could you have adult ADHD? If you suspect that your lifelong struggles with memory, focus, or friendships may actually trace back to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD), this sli...

Criticism of Psychiatry
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2 years ago

Psychiatry as a sub specialty of medicine is an easy field to criticize! Despite decades of search,  we still do not know the exact molecular basis of the most psychiatric illnesses. The co...