The Pros and Cons of Stimulant Medication for ADHD

A couple of days ago we posted about the connection between ADHD and video games. Another concern I hear frequently from parents is that the stimulant medication used to treat ADHD will increase the chances of their child becoming a substance abuser. If you google this question, you will likely find conflicting information. According to this article from the ChildMind Institute, researchers from Princeton and Clemson University took a closer look at this issue.  Their research, which analyzed the Medicaid data from over 150,000 young people, found that individuals who took stimulant medication were less likely to engage in risky behaviors and had lower rates of substance abuse, STDs, and injuries.  What are your thoughts? Do you think the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks.  To learn more about this study, visit the ChildMind Institute at http://childmind.org/blog/adhd-meds-cut-risk-of-drug-abuse-stds/

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