Children diagnosed with ADHD are often prescribed medications, which were initially intended to “combat their symptoms.” These medications, the most common of which are Adderall or Ritalin, are very strong and very easy to become addicted to. They are prescribed in high numbers to children who suffer from ADHD and unfortunately have led to abuse and other dangerous problems and side effects.
When children take these medications as directed there are known side effects. However above and beyond this they can also become addicted to the drugs, students who are not legally prescribed them can get a hold of them and they can be taken and abused by pretty much any teen or young adult who is not educated on their dangers.
What Is ADHD
ADHD is short for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Someone experiencing this disorder will often have difficulty concentrating on routine tasks and may have periods of increased activity. They may have trouble sitting still and be constantly on the move. These individuals also tend to have trouble controlling their impulses and may prove disruptive in different situations including classrooms. This disorder is often recognized first by teachers who see the disruptive behavior of children within the classroom. They then, often, recommend that parents seek professional help for their children.
There are varying levels of the disorder, which range from mild inattentiveness to excessively disruptive behavior. Children could experience anything on this spectrum and may go from quite and calm one moment to hyper and excitable the next. They seem to have no control over their behavior and their impulses. ADHD seems to be diagnosed mostly in school-age children (ages four and up) however it can also develop during the adult years. It has even been known to last from childhood into the adult years. It all depends on how responsive the child is to treatment.
Two of the most common prescriptions given for ADHD are Adderall and Ritalin. As mentioned, they also provide a high risk for abuse and addiction and are very easy to be passed around from one child to another.
How Often Does It Happen?
The problem of ADHD medication abuse arises as the children begin to get older and start to become responsible for their own medications. This is when the addictions tend to start as children start experimenting and start learning more about drug use and addictions.
One adult that spoke about his addiction mentioned abusing starting in the 6th grade. This addiction eventually led to an illegal narcotic addiction, which landed him in drug rehab. An increasing number of 12th graders (5.4% in 2009 up to 7.6% in 2012) admitted to abusing Adderall. The use of all prescription drugs for non-medical uses occurs in approximately 1 out of 9 people between the ages of 12 and 25. That equates out to 11.4 percent of that population.
Approximately 30% more people are brought into hospital emergency rooms for these types of drug abuse over the past five years. Some of these are individuals who are mixing multiple drugs or those who are mixing drugs with alcohol abuse. The individuals who were measured were only those who should not have been using the drug and does not include anyone with a legitimate prescription.
The truth is that ADHD medications are harmful and have accounted for a high number of abuse problems. Keep your kids safe; educate them about the dangers of these medications. Look for natural and alternative methods to handle attention or hyperactivity disorders or problems. For more information or Narconon videos contact us today.
Source: http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Misuse-193047841.html