Are stimulants addictive in children?
GROUND: Prescription stimulants are widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of the literature was performed to assess available evidence regarding the propensity for abuse and addiction liability of these medications. METHOD: Trials were searched in computerised general databases (Medline, Psychlit and Embase) and specialised (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Collaboration); by checking reference lists of relevant articles; by handsearching relevant specialist journals; and by contacting relevant authors where appropriate. Publications in all languages were sought. Studies had to have sufficient description of study methodology and statistical analysis to permit critical evaluation. Randomised controlled clinical trials, crossover studies, cohort studies and case control studies were included. Human studies only were considered for inclusion. RESULTS: Sixty-eight trials were located using the specif
