Using medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents and adults lowers their risk of substance abuse problems...
in the present and, at least for men, in the future, too, according to a study published online in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
“While concerns about prescribing medications to treat ADHD that have the potential for abuse are understandable, this study provides further evidence that the use of these medications is not associated with increased risk of substance use problems in adolescence or adulthood,” said researcher Patrick D. Quinn, PhD, of Indiana University.
“Rather, this and other recent studies find that the risk of such problems is lower during and after periods of use of these medications.”
Dr. Quinn and colleagues reached their findings after analyzing commercial health care claims for nearly 3 million teens and adults with ADHD. 
They used within-individual analyses to look specifically at the risk of emergency department visits for substance use disorders during months when patients received prescribed stimulant medication or atomoxetine, compared with months when they did not receive ADHD medication.
During periods of medication, the risk of a substance use event was 35% lower in men and 31% lower in women, researchers found. In addition, 2 years after medication periods, men had 19% lower odds of a substance-related event and women had 14% lower odds, although sensitivity analyses for the long-term effect among women were less consistent.
“This study contributes to growing evidence that ADHD medication is linked to lower risk for many types of harmful behavior, including substance abuse,” said Dr. Quinn. “The results also highlight the importance of careful diagnosis and compliance with treatment.”
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