Adderall Shortage Due to Increased Recreational Misuse by Teens?
The FDA reported a shortage of ADHD drugs like Adderall in 2022, and the problem has not been resolved. Until the supply is restored, the FDA recommends talking with your physician about alternative therapies. You can follow the adderall shortage and learn more about what the FDA is doing to address the situation on the FDA’s webpage.
In a study published by JAMA Network, students in schools with high rates of ADHD therapy are at increased risk for non-medical use of the drugs. The study also shows that more than half of the students who misuse adderall admit to getting the pills from friends or relatives.
In some schools across the U.S., about one in four students report ADHD medication misuse during the school year.
You may be wondering how the adderall shortage could possibly be due in part to recreational misuse by teens. Here are some things to know about students and ADHD drug misuse.
The two main causes of the Adderall shortage are increased demand and limited supply. Other causes include the pandemic-related changes in prescribing practices and the association between the availability of ADHD drugs and non-medical use.
Increasing demand – ADHD is historically under-diagnosed, but due to improvements in diagnosis, more people are requesting and getting the drugs thus driving up the demand.
Decreasing supply – ADHD medications are Schedule II controlled substances. As such, manufacturers must adhere to stringent guidelines regarding quotas or limits the amount of the drug they can produce.
Pandemic-related issues – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the DEA lifted restrictions so people could get their stimulant prescription online. As a result, many more people had easy access to the drugs, contributing to the shortage. The easy access to ADHD drugs further increased the chances of intentional misuse.
ADHD medications are central nervous system stimulants combined with amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The most popular ADHD drugs are Adderall XR, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Concerta. The drugs help regulate focus, attention, and impulse control. When ADHD meds are misused, significant health risks are possible, such as:
Common side effects of ADHD meds when used according to directions:
Misusing the medications increases the risk of experiencing one or more of the side effects. Long-term use or misuse can result in changes in the brain that can lead to dependence or addiction, especially in people who don’t have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
In many cases, people misuse ADHD meds to get high or to relieve the stress surrounding academic pressures. This type of misuse is often attributed to college students, yet studies show that misuse and sharing of the medications have increased in middle schools.
Typical doses of ADHD meds do not cause feelings of being high. But those who misuse the drug in higher doses may experience increased feelings of energy, confidence, focus, excitement, and euphoria.
Students who misuse ADHD drugs often combine them with other drugs or alcohol to enhance the effects. This type of misuse can increase the risk for sudden, severe side effects like paranoia, high body temperature, and irregular heartbeat.
Misuse of Adderall or other ADHD meds can lead to dependence or addiction. If you are concerned about the risks of continued misuse, we can help. Our full continuum of care at Design for Change Recovery provides a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Design for Change Recovery is a fully-licensed, JCAHO-accredited facility located in beautiful Lancaster, CA. We provide a comforting, secure environment where you can focus on overcoming your dependence on ADHD medications.
Depending on your situation, you may choose from short-term or long-term programs on an outpatient or inpatient basis. One of our treatment advisors will conduct a comprehensive assessment to help you choose the best path to recovery.
Learn more about our programs today and take the first step towards a healthier future by contacting us online, by phone, or by email.
Sources:
psychiatry.org – What is ADHD?
jamanetwork.com – Prescription Stimulant Medical and Non-medical Use Among US Secondary School Students, 2005 to 2020
nih.gov – School Prevalence of Stimulant Therapy for ADHD Associated With Higher Rates of Prescription Stimulant Misuse Among Teens
samhsa.gov -Rise in Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Impacting Teens