Managing your ADHD and wading through a plethora of online information can often be too much. Especially, when it comes to the different medications and treatment.
It just takes a simple misconception to prevent a sound decision. Questions about how safe a medication is, if it works, and the possible side effects, are very common.
There are several ways to effectively tackle ADHD that can significantly improve your daily life and ease symptoms.
Medications for ADHD misconceptions
Unfortunately, there are many common misconceptions and stigma surrounding medication for ADHD. Addressing these myths can reduce the stigma and promote a better understanding of ADHD.
Allowing those who have ADHD are able to get the treatment and support they deserve.
Studies show, over 80% of adults who have ADHD, feel considerably better when taking medication. While medication is not a cure for ADHD, it can make it easier to stay on tasks, focus, and accomplish activities, you may have struggled with previously. For medication to be effective, they need to be taken regularly.
Myth: ADHD medication can pose a risk of substance abuse or addiction
Fact: While some medications for ADHD have potential for abuse, when used under medical supervision and as prescribed, the risk is minimized significantly. In fact, studies have shown when ADHD medication is taken as prescribed can actually reduce the risk of substance abuse, due to the ability to manage hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, often associated with substance abuse. Individuals taking medications for ADHD allow them to focus and succeed in many aspects of their lives including, social and personal relationships, professional and academic pursuits.
“The very long-standing viewpoint from the standpoint of like psychiatry, mental health, child neurology is that having ADHD increases the risk of experimenting with tobacco, alcohol, drugs; increases the risk of getting into problematic substance use; and that having ADHD that’s not treated or not well managed, increases the risk of substance use problems,” Dr. Michael Reardon (MD), a child neurologist said. “Whereas, ADHD that’s being treated and managed well lowers that risk.”
Check back with us next week about more misconception about ADHD medications, until then, contact Mind Garden Mental Health Services.