A new report released today suggests that more and more teens are abusing stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall. Depending upon which news outlet you are listening to, the angle and agenda is going to be slightly different.
I’ve seen reports from Reuters ( article here ) that focus on the substantial increase in calls to Poison Control centers across the country.
The Associated Press ( article here ) seems to be focusing on drug abuse, and a report from CBS News ( article here ) begins with a comparison of the abuse of marijuana to ADHD stimulant medications.
Caution: Here’s What The Media And Scientific Reports Leave Out
I’ll be honest with you. I glanced over these articles quickly. I saw what I needed to, and immediately had to weigh on this issue for my readers. Out of the three reports, I am very pleased that an expert for CBS talked about the increase abuse being related to an increased awareness of ADHD and ADHD stimulant medications.
I am NOT suggesting this is okay, or stops the issue dead in it’s tracks, BUT, a report like this can be quickly misinterpreted and take on a life of it’s own. I know as a parent I would be scared by rising numbers. And it doesn’t help that ADHD medications are already one of the most controversial, hot-button issues related to attention deficit hyperacitivity disorder.
For the record, I am NOT here to weigh in on the use of medications…or even the abuse of these medications. What I am here to do is make sure you know all the facts.
#1 – These reports concern me becuase people are likely to see the large number or percent of increase over time. What often gets down-played is that we really didn’t talk a lot about ADHD in 1988 like we do now (and is subsequently reported in the 2005 numbers of calls to poison control).
#2 – There also doesn’t seem to be much focus on the evidence that supports less drug abuse by those teens or children who are appropriately treated for ADHD.
I’ve held interviews on this very topic, and the consensus is that someone who is properly treated for ADHD, is less likely to abuse drugs.
#3 - I am also a little frightened about this topic because it is during the teen years when kids tend to start experimenting with drugs. With ADHD stimulant medications now being more popular than ever, I can understand why their abuse is on the rise.
Not too mention, I can fully understand the passing around of these stimulant medications as kids prepare for college exams.
I do NOT condone or support this type of behavior. But let’s recognize what is going on here. Whether we like or not, kids will look for any competitive edge to help them around exam time… I know this was a hot topic when I was at college studying for exams.
The Implications:
The implications from a report like this are likely to create widespread panic, and add more fuel to an already raging debate over the use of medication to treat ADHD. Heck, it’s likely to spark fires about whether or not ADHD even exists.
Let’s accept reality for what it is… Kids are going to try and experiment with drugs. We are placing more and more pressure on teens and students to perform – with expectations getting higher and higher in a very competitive and volatile workforce.
Substance abuse of any kind is concerning. It’s troubling. I’ve lived it… I’ve been affected by it… And I’ve supported families fighting substance abuse.
Let’s leave the hype of ADHD drug abuse out of the mix, and report the facts about WHO specifically is abusing these drugs.
A new report released today suggests that more and more teens are abusing stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall. Depending upon which news outlet you are listening to, the angle and agenda is going to be slightly different.
I’ve seen reports from Reuters ( article here ) that focus on the substantial increase in calls to Poison Control centers across the country.
The Associated Press ( article here ) seems to be focusing on drug abuse, and a report from CBS News ( article here ) begins with a comparison of the abuse of marijuana to ADHD stimulant medications.
Caution: Here’s What The Media And Scientific Reports Leave Out
I’ll be honest with you. I glanced over these articles quickly. I saw what I needed to, and immediately had to weigh on this issue for my readers. Out of the three reports, I am very pleased that an expert for CBS talked about the increase abuse being related to an increased awareness of ADHD and ADHD stimulant medications.
I am NOT suggesting this is okay, or stops the issue dead in it’s tracks, BUT, a report like this can be quickly misinterpreted and take on a life of it’s own. I know as a parent I would be scared by rising numbers. And it doesn’t help that ADHD medications are already one of the most controversial, hot-button issues related to attention deficit hyperacitivity disorder.
For the record, I am NOT here to weigh in on the use of medications…or even the abuse of these medications. What I am here to do is make sure you know all the facts.
#1 – These reports concern me becuase people are likely to see the large number or percent of increase over time. What often gets down-played is that we really didn’t talk a lot about ADHD in 1988 like we do now (and is subsequently reported in the 2005 numbers of calls to poison control).
#2 – There also doesn’t seem to be much focus on the evidence that supports less drug abuse by those teens or children who are appropriately treated for ADHD.
I’ve held interviews on this very topic, and the consensus is that someone who is properly treated for ADHD, is less likely to abuse drugs.
#3 - I am also a little frightened about this topic because it is during the teen years when kids tend to start experimenting with drugs. With ADHD stimulant medications now being more popular than ever, I can understand why their abuse is on the rise.
Not too mention, I can fully understand the passing around of these stimulant medications as kids prepare for college exams.
I do NOT condone or support this type of behavior. But let’s recognize what is going on here. Whether we like or not, kids will look for any competitive edge to help them around exam time… I know this was a hot topic when I was at college studying for exams.
The Implications:
The implications from a report like this are likely to create widespread panic, and add more fuel to an already raging debate over the use of medication to treat ADHD. Heck, it’s likely to spark fires about whether or not ADHD even exists.
Let’s accept reality for what it is… Kids are going to try and experiment with drugs. We are placing more and more pressure on teens and students to perform – with expectations getting higher and higher in a very competitive and volatile workforce.
Substance abuse of any kind is concerning. It’s troubling. I’ve lived it… I’ve been affected by it… And I’ve supported families fighting substance abuse.
Let’s leave the hype of ADHD drug abuse out of the mix, and report the facts about WHO specifically is abusing these drugs.