Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/19/2010

Question
So, my son, now 25, has served 5 years in the Army Reserves, 1 year in Iraq, and is just 5 months away from completing SF training.  When he began his classroom training for his job, he was having difficulty with his study time.  He was advised to see an Army doctor for help.  His 'military' doctor prescribed Adderall, at a very light dosage, to help him with his studies.  It has been less than a month.  Now he is being told he can not continue with his training and if he wants to continue in the US Army, he must take non-combat position.  His career has been put on hold, at best, or completely destroyed , at worst.  Does he have any recourse and why is an Army doctor prescribing Adderall to US Army soldiers??

Answer
Rick,

Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner, I was called away on a no-notice mission.

The physician's job is to try and cure any illness a soldier may have, regardless at to how that may affect his career.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is usually treated by Adderall which is controlled a drug with considerable "abuse potential" because it is a psychostimulant medication, similar to an amphetamine.  Adults with ADHD may have difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, organizing tasks or completing work within time limits. If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational and academic problems.

The implication is, Adderall is a nasty drug with lasting psychological side-affects which could make him a hazard to himself and others.  While he probably could function normally in the military during peace time, the  psychological aspects of combat could bring about all sorts of unknowns.  The psychological stress of military service is quite unlike the day-to-day life of a civilian.

Adderall is widely reported to increase alertness, increase concentration and overall cognitive performance, and in general, improving mood, while decreasing user fatigue.  Hopefully your son has seen some improvement while taking it.

He must prove that he is capable of functioning without it, after being off it for at least one year, before he can reapply for a combat position.  If I were him I'd go ahead and accept the non-combat position for now, and try for SF later.  It's better than being put out on the street, looking for a job.

I wish him well, and thank him for his Service.
Colonel Howell