When parents ask ADHD questions, they usually focus on the long term effects and the short term side effects of the stimulant meds such as Adderall and Ritalin.
Adderall has recently gained a lot of attention in the press because a number of athletes have been found using them in a bid to get more energy and focus.
Why some athletes have been banned What have some famous athletes such as Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman got in common? They were found to be using Adderall which is forbidden in their sports and they were banned for doing so.
The reason is that this is a scheduled II drug and there are many similarities with other recreational drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy which have a very similar chemical composition College students too are at risk This is a typical 'off label' illegal use which has also extended to college students who want to stay up all night studying for an exam or who need that extra focus on the actual day.
None of these people have prescriptions for these drugs and that is a felony in itself.
Then there are also the ethical and medical implications.
Facing the consequences That is why this story has gained so much attention in the press because many parents are worried that their own children with ADHD who are using them legally may actually suffer from some rather unwelcome consequences:
That is why the medical authorities (CDC in USA and NICE in the UK) are also recommending a much broader and healthier approach to managing ADHD.
This is where great parenting skills, organising and ADHD friendly home and avoiding overuse of electronic gadgets comes into play.
By taking a multi pronged approach, we can address some of the more pressing ADHD questions and answers and come up with solutions that are free of side effects, risks to health and help raise happier and healthier children.
Adderall has recently gained a lot of attention in the press because a number of athletes have been found using them in a bid to get more energy and focus.
Why some athletes have been banned What have some famous athletes such as Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman got in common? They were found to be using Adderall which is forbidden in their sports and they were banned for doing so.
The reason is that this is a scheduled II drug and there are many similarities with other recreational drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy which have a very similar chemical composition College students too are at risk This is a typical 'off label' illegal use which has also extended to college students who want to stay up all night studying for an exam or who need that extra focus on the actual day.
None of these people have prescriptions for these drugs and that is a felony in itself.
Then there are also the ethical and medical implications.
Facing the consequences That is why this story has gained so much attention in the press because many parents are worried that their own children with ADHD who are using them legally may actually suffer from some rather unwelcome consequences:
- they may be approached to sell their meds and enter a world which is the gateway to drug dealing and addiction
- the health risks are the same for everybody although it must be stressed that high doses over a long period are the reasons for concern.
But many ADHD children remain on these drugs for years. - one figure shows that when amphetamine users are chronically addicted to them, almost 20% of them will have what is known as an 'amphetamine psychosis' attack once a year
- most studies show that the use of these stimulants with amphetamine as their base ingredient do carry a risk of becoming addicted to these types of drugs.
Some studies reveal that there is a 'high potential'. - typical side effects of the drug Adderall will include imbalances in appetite, sleep challenges and even hallucinations.
It is estimated that up to 30% of children do actually suffer from some of these effects when on the drugs. - health risks can actually include high blood pressure, dilation of the eye pupils and even seizures.
- tolerance to the drug grows over time but so does a certain dependence and that can have serious implications for addiction.
- one study (Surles et al) actually showed that the overuse of the drug can actually cause a certain type of schizophrenia in adolescents but as soon as they were off the drug, they recovered.
That is why the medical authorities (CDC in USA and NICE in the UK) are also recommending a much broader and healthier approach to managing ADHD.
This is where great parenting skills, organising and ADHD friendly home and avoiding overuse of electronic gadgets comes into play.
By taking a multi pronged approach, we can address some of the more pressing ADHD questions and answers and come up with solutions that are free of side effects, risks to health and help raise happier and healthier children.