ADHD Drug Abuse Prevalent Among American Teens

Every day, an estimated 2,500 American teens use a “legal” drug to get high for the first time. These drugs include opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain, and central nervous system depressants, used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. But a recent study suggests that stimulants, such as those used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are quickly becoming the preferred choice of teen prescription drug abusers—findings that contradict government-sponsored surveys that suggest teen abuse of stimulants has declined in recent years.  

The proof is in the data. When researchers evaluated an eight-year period of data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, they found that calls involving 13- to 19-year-olds related to teen abuse of stimulants, including ADHD drugs, rose from 330 in 1998 to 581 in 2005—a 76 percent increase. Overall, 42 percent of teens involved had moderate to severe side effects and most ended up receiving treatment in emergency rooms. Four of the cases evaluated resulted in death. Study author, Dr. Randall Bond, medical director of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Drug and Poison Information Center, says that because many cases don’t result in calls to poison control centers, the true number of teen abusers who have harmful side effects is likely much higher.

While all of the reasons for the surge are not yet understood, accessibility is likely a contributing factor. During the same time frame as the study, there was an 86 percent rise in ADHD medicine prescriptions for youths aged 10 to 19; that's an increase from about 4 million to nearly 8 million. “Clearly, we are seeing a rising problem with the abuse of these medications,” lead researcher Dr. Jennifer Setlik said in a statement. “The findings suggest that more teens are abusing and misusing stimulant ADHD medications because they have access to those medications, not because a higher percentage of those treated have turned to abusing their medication.”

ADHD affects between 8 and 12 percent of children and 4 percent of adults worldwide. The disorder is marked by restlessness, impulsiveness, inattention and distractibility that can interfere with the person’s ability to pay attention and maintain social relationships. Amphetamines or methylphenidate drugs, such as Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine, can calm and focus the brain. However, before getting a prescription, ADHD patients are typically given an EKG and screened for heart disease.

But ADHD drugs, taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision, can be just as dangerous as taking illicit drugs. They can alter the brain’s activity and lead to debilitating or life-threatening health problems and result in physical or psychological dependence. Side effects of these medications can include headache, stomach pain, sleeplessness, dizziness, nervousness, tics, allergic reactions, increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, mood swings, suicidal thoughts, aggression behavior and psychosis (abnormal thinking or hallucinations). Mark Stein, a psychiatry professor and ADHD expert at University of Illinois at Chicago, said abuse typically involves crushing and snorting the pills, which speeds up the effects and can produce a buzz or sense of euphoria—along with dangerous side effects.

Teens say these medications are readily available; in their own homes, from friends or relatives, or online pharmacies. They provide the user a performance enhancing high, for times when they want to study longer and stay up later, for example. Some kids are also using the drugs as an appetite suppressant to lose weight. And because they are prescribed by a doctor, teens view the drugs as safe—even staging “pharming parties” to share and experiment with peers.

Because ADHD drug abuse among teens is on the rise, experts say parents need to monitor any prescription medications their children use and safeguard their own prescriptions. But Tom Hedrick, one of the founding members of The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, says that critical thing is to educate our children on the dangers of prescription drug abuse. “We have to start thinking proactively instead of reactively,” he said. “Fifty percent of kids report never hearing a single word about prescription drug abuse.” 

The study is published in the August edition of Pediatrics.