Are stimulant medications “gateway” drugs leading to illegal drug or alcohol abuse?
People with ADHD are naturally impulsive and tend to take risks. But those patients with ADHD who are taking stimulants are actually at lower risk of using other drugs. Children and teenagers who have ADHD and also have coexisting conditions may be at high risk for drug and alcohol abuse, regardless of the medication used. ——————————– ADHD — Treatment With Medication For most children, stimulant medications are a safe and effective way to relieve Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. As glasses help people focus their eyes to see, these medications help children with ADHD focus their thoughts better and ignore distractions. This makes them more able to pay attention and control their behavior. Stimulants may be used alone or combined with behavior therapy. Studies show that about 80 percent of children with ADHD who are treated with stimulants improve a great deal. Different types of stimulants are available, in both short-acting (immediate-rele
