Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine abuse in substance-abusing adolescents.

Full Abstract

The prevalence of methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine misuse and abuse was examined in 450 adolescents referred for substance abuse treatment. Twenty three percent reported nonmedical use of these substances and six percent were diagnosed as methylphenidate or dextroamphetamine abusers. Abuse was more common in individuals who were out of school and had an eating disorder. Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine abuse appears to be much less common than abuse of most other substances. It does occur, however, and parents and schools need to exert greater control over the dispensing of these medications. Physicians are advised to prescribe non-stimulant medications (eg, bupropion) when treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in substance-abusing individuals.

Author information

Author/s: Williams, Robert J (RJ); Goodale, Leslie A (LA); Shay-Fiddler, Michele A (MA); Gloster, Susan P (SP); Chang, Samuel Y (SY);

Affiliation: Addiction Counselling Program, School of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada. Robert.William(-atsign-)uleth.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: The American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions (Am J Addict), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2004 Jul-Sep; vol 13 (issue 4) : pp 381-9

Dates: Created 2004/09/16; Completed 2004/12/10; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 15370936, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

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