title: Abuse liability of medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
abstract: The use of psychostimulants to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been controversial for a number of reasons. In an effort to clarify the extent to which the psychostimulant methylphenidate has abuse potential, the existing published evidence has been reviewed and is summarized here, with an emphasis on delineating a number of related but independent issues that are often confused. The existing evidence reviewed is pertinent to three questions: Does stimulant drug use increase the risk for substance abuse later in life? Do ADHD medications have the potential for abuse?, and What is the distinction between drug abuse and misuse/diversion with respect to ADHD medication?
authors: ADHD Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA. kolli001@mc.duke.edu
authors: Scott H
authors: SH
authors: Kollins
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D009294:Narcotics