Adolescents’ Use of Medications for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Subsequent Risk of Nonmedical Stimulant Use

Abstract

PurposeThis national prospective multicohort study examined the relationship between US adolescents’ use of stimulant therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and subsequent risk of nonmedical stimulant use (i.e., nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and cocaine use) during young adulthood, relative to nonstimulant therapy and population controls. MethodsNationally representative multicohort panels of 11,905 US 12th-grade students were surveyed via self-administered questionnaires at baseline (age 18) and followed prospectively over six years into young adulthood (ages 19‒24). ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between adolescents who used stimulant therapy for ADHD compared to those who used only nonstimulant medications and population controls in their adjusted odds of nonmedical stimulant use incidence or prevalence during young adulthood, after adjusting for baseline covariates. DiscussionThe findings offer preliminary support that adolescents who use prescription stimulant or nonstimulant medications for ADHD when clinically indicated are not at greater risk for nonmedical stimulant use during young adulthood.