​ADHD Meds Do Not Lead to Future Drug Abuse

In a 2003 article in Medscape by Sid Kirscheimer, an often 
debated but clearly concluded issue was revisited. A study 
published in the January issue of Pediatrics is now the 11th 
one to find no evidence that children treated with ADHD 
medications are more likely to smoke, drink, or taking illicit 
drugs as teenagers or adults.

Even though this issue has long been put to rest by clinical 
research it continues to resurface, partially as a result of 
a campaign by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, 
an affiliate of the Church of Scientology. The recent 
congressional subcommittee investigated these allegations and 
found them to be without merit based on the substantial 
research that's been done on this topic.

The most recent study tract 147 clinic referred hyperactive 
children for more than 13 years. They measure their tendency 
to use tobacco, alcohol and drugs such as marijuana and 
cocaine in adolescence and early adulthood and compare their 
findings with another group not diagnosed with ADHD. This 
study found that there was no relationship at all between 
the use of stimulant medication, the length of use of 
stimulant medication, and substance abuse. 

Another report published in the same issue of Pediatrics 
suggests that stimulant therapy in childhood may actually 
lead to a lower risk of later drug and alcohol use.
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