Childhood use of stimulants for ADHD not linked to later substance use

Abstract

An analysis of data from a clinical trial involving youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has found no evidence that use of stimulant medication in childhood increases the risk of substance use or a substance use disorder (SUD) in adolescence and young adulthood. The study's investigators also reported no protective effect of childhood stimulant use on later substance use, a finding contrary to that of some prior studies.