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Synthetic stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are the main treatments for ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Proven effective in 70% to 80% of children with ADHD, stimulant-based medications address dopamine deficiencies in the brain. The increased dopamine helps kids focus and do better in school. Indeed, according to a 2016 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than six million children in the U.S. were estimated to have been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most of these children take synthetic stimulants.

However, with the success of synthetic stimulants, there also has been a sharp rise in diagnoses. With the drugs in the hands of more kids, diversion is now a significant issue. In a recent report, diversion rates for prescribed stimulants eclipsed 60%. Consequently, stimulant-related emergency department visits increased threefold in recent years as well. As a provider of youth treatment services for substance use disorders (SUD), Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) has seen how the abuse of synthetic stimulants opens the door to further drug use.

The Diversion in Schools of Synthetic Stimulants

Prescription medication misuse is now almost expected, from loaning a friend a single pill to selling drugs on the school marketplace. Once Adderall and Ritalin became standard practice treatments for ADHD, diversion followed close behind. Although not prescribed as stimulants, the abuse of these drugs is widespread in high schools and colleges. For example, the CDC reported that overdose deaths involving synthetic stimulants had increased by 28% over 2018.

Moreover, ADHD patients who use Adderall experience side effects ranging from anxiety and agitation to loss of appetite and insomnia. In addition, synthetic stimulants are addictive drugs, and the dangers are real. A recent study shows that as many as half of young adults with ADHD end up struggling with substance use. The abuse of synthetic stimulants also affects young people’s decision-making abilities because the drug increases impulsive and compulsive behaviors.

Treatment Options for the Abuse of Synthetic

Meanwhile, there are few proven treatment options for stimulant use disorder. At this point, there are no FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment (MAT) for stimulants. Hence, people addicted to Ritalin or Adderall cannot access approved drugs for withdrawal management. How can they access such medications if they do not exist? As a result, recovery from synthetic stimulants remains challenging.

At TTC, we understand the challenges of recovery from the abuse of these drugs, and we can help. We treat stimulant use disorder with proven methods. Please get in touch with us today to access the treatment you or a loved one needs.