Does treatment of ADHD with stimulants increase the risk of substance abuse?
This question has been extensively researched by Dr. Wilens and Dr. Biederman at Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry. There were two significant findings.
First - Untreated ADHD doubles the risk of alcohol and/or recreational drug abuse.
Second - Treatment of ADHD with stimulants cuts the risk in half, equal to the general population.
As with other measures of functioning medical treatment of ADHD doesn’t eliminate problems but levels the playing field. FAQ’s ADHD