As an ADHD coach, I am asked almost daily whether ADHD stimulant medications are addictive, but the answer is vague, and I’m not so sure we have all the information. Yet, we do need to understand the pros and cons about ADHD treatment with medications.
While I don’t consider stimulants to be addictive if they are used properly, they are potentially addictive if used improperly, and that’s why they need to be monitored and are available only with a prescription. When carefully managed by a physician, I believe the medications are safe and likely will not cause a physical dependence.
We hope that with time and education and better policies, we will see people living better lives with the proper use of stimulant medications because of the work of scientists, professionals, and the ADHD community together. We’d like to know your thoughts so please leave your comments below.
Nothing in this blogpost is meant as medical advice, but if you want further insight on this subject, please check out our podcast, “Addiction and ADHD Stimulant Medication,” with Dr. Anthony L. Rostain, a neurodevelopmental physician and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Here’s the link: http://tobtr.com/6902345.