Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 11/21/2011

Question
Hello, Our 11 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD in 2nd grade and had been on adderrall xr 15 mg. It seemed to control his impulsiveness but his grades still suffered due to a learning dissability as well. He has an IEP at school and we are in constant touch with the school. This year we decided not to put him on any medication. My husband feels there is a greater risk of him becoming a drug addict as he gets older. Our 22 yr. old was on concerta till 6th grade for ADD and developed Crohn's disease at 15. Left with chronic direaha because his illeal cecal valve was diseased and removed, he turned to drugs.Oxy to block him up then on to heroin. My husband feels this all stems from the ADD meds given earlier. Are there statitics showing this happening? Our 11 year old is having a terrible time since this school year started. Impulsivity, clowning around in class, taking his shoes off during class, annoying other students while they are trying to work.  He seems like he 's not differentiating between home and school behavior. He is bright, but struggles with grades, is all over the place when doing homework, upside down,moving moving moving. The school was implementing a behavior modification program as well. What is your opinion on the long term use of these stimulant medications. I am at my wits end with my son and my husband since we can't agree on a course of action

Answer
Your comments are  a tragic description of mismanagement of ADHD and ignorance. I say this with symapthy and respect. You are in need of expert advice from a knowledgable medical doctor.For ADHD medication prevents not causes addiction. The condition if neglected might be a major cause of addiction to other substances. Medication if correctly used on a daily basis lasting at least 12 hours,  is safe and makes the child more teachable to learn to behave and to learn to learn. The dose must be monitored to an optimal level used every day using rating scales on a monthly basis. The treatment is a team approach where everyone, parents and ,teachers are fully informed by an expert doctor for the sake of the child. Medication, motivaion, education and remediation if needed,  will eventually bring succes provided the child is not  put under stress by arguing parents. ADHD is inherited so it is also important to assist parents who might also be hasty and impulsive, to cope with themselves and a difficult child. However success is possible and worth the effort. There are no long term serious side effecs to correct medical treatment.