Does Childhood Use of Stimulant Medication as a Treatment for ADHD Affect the Likelihood of Future Drug Abuse and Dependence? A Literature Review

Abstract

This article describes the disparate research findings regarding the effects of stimulant medication in subsequent substance abuse and dependence. A minimum of 4 to 5% of children in the United States will be diagnosed with ADHD; thus it is important for parents to be informed when making decisions about the use of stimulant medication to treat symptoms. Considering the inconsistencies in the literature, it is still difficult to determine the true effects of stimulant medication on drug abuse and dependence in adulthood.

KEYWORDS:

• ADHD
• medication
• stimulants
• substance abuse
• substance dependence

Special thanks to Dr. James Bartee for his assistance in revising this literature review article. It was with his encouragement and advice that I decided to pursue publication.