“I’m anxious about abuse of ADHD medication.”
Hi, I’m Doctor James Wiley with Focus MD. I want to share one of our biggest fears about ADHD medication, and that’s the risk of abuse and diversion. Patients are giving their medicine away to the people who don’t have ADHD or diversion of medication to patients for performance enhancement.
This is the reason that we insist on such a careful, evidence based diagnosis before prescribing ADHD medication at Focus MD, and we also insist on very careful follow-up, so that we can monitor for the risk of abuse and diversion of the medication. We take this very seriously. The medication is Schedule II by the FDA, so that means it’s more closely regulated and our licenses depend on us being responsible with that medication.
It is a growing epidemic across college and high school campuses that these medications are being used inappropriately, and we’re aware of that, as are of the kids that we see. The responsible ones are very concerned about this, and we share information with them to prevent their medication from being used inappropriately.
Having said all that, this should not stop any parent from seeking treatment for legitimate ADHD, which is a medical condition, and stimulant medications, those schedule II, are the treatment of choice for this medical condition. This treatment can be life-changing for your child, adolescent, or college student, and I strongly urge you not to listen to the fear of the diversion of medication, keeping you from treatment of your particular child who has this condition.
This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use the information provided on this site solely at your own risk. If you have any concerns about your health, please consult with a physician.
James Wiley is the founder of Focus-MD. Focus-MD is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and related problem patients. They provide objective testing, medical treatment as well as behavior modification strategies to help or patients transform from frustration to focus. To find a Focus-MD clinic, click here.
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