Dr. Amen's Blog

When we think about teen drug abuse, most of us think about marijuana or cocaine. But a growing number of teens are abusing prescription drugs, including those prescribed for attention deficit disorder (ADD).

According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America:

• 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medication.
• 1 in 5 has abused prescription stimulants or tranquilizers.
• 1 in 10 has abused cough medication.

A study in the journal Pediatrics reported that from 1998-2005, there was a 76 percent increase in calls to poison control centers about teens abusing ADD drugs.

The study did not indicate if the misuse of the drugs was among teens with ADD, but the researchers suggested that it was more likely to be occurring among teens who were using the drugs nonmedically.

Misuse of the stimulants prescribed for ADD may be becoming more common because teens and college students are under increasing pressure to do it all.

A 2009 article in the New Yorker depicted several students at highly competitive colleges who were using the ADD drug Adderall as a “neuroenhancer” to help them power through classes, ace tests, excel at their side jobs, run student organizations, and party like rock stars on the weekends.

I liken this situation to what is happening with steroids in professional sports. Yes, players know that it is illegal and dangerous to take the drugs, but many of them feel compelled to take them in an effort to keep pace with the enhanced performances of teammates who are doing it.

There is no doubt about it — off-label use of ADD drugs is very dangerous. Common side effects of the drugs include headaches, sleeplessness, and a decreased appetite. Overdoses of stimulants can cause serious symptoms, including a rapid heartbeat and severely high blood pressure. In rare cases, the effects can prove fatal.

When used appropriately, prescription medication can be very effective in treating ADD. But it is not the only treatment option. Many other natural treatments, including exercise and fish oil supplements, can be beneficial and can eliminate the need for prescription medication or lower the dosages a teen with ADD needs to control symptoms.

You can find out more about ADD medications as well as natural treatments in my Healing ADD Power Program.

I recommend that all of my patients take fish oil. To order the Amen Clinics NeurOmega fish oil supplements, click here.