Posted on August 24, 2009

A new medical study found that more teenagers are abusing prescription medication used to treat ADHD. Calls to the National Poison Center related to teenage abuse of ADHD medications increased 76 percent between 1998 and 2005.

"Calls related to teenaged victims of prescription ADHD medication abuse rose 76%, which is faster than calls for victims of substance abuse generally and teen substance abuse," writes researcher Jennifer Setlik, MD, of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and colleagues.

ADHD affects between 8% and 12% of children and 4% of adults worldwide, and there has been a significant increase in the sale of stimulant drugs designed to treat the condition in recent years.

Overall, researchers say the sharp rise in ADHD drug abuse mirrored a similar increase in the prescription numbers among teens, but the abuse of certain types of ADHD drugs is outpacing sales.

Dr. Alanna Levine, a pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy Of Pediatrics, stopped by CBS’s The Early Show to discuss this alarming trend. "I think we’re seeing more and more use of ADHD drugs in general because there’s more awareness," she said. "But the more we prescribe the medication, the more it is out there in the community, and the more there is a risk for abuse."

When teens not affected by ADHD take drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall, they experience a performance enhancing high and are able to study longer or stay up later. Some teens are using the drugs for their appetite suppressant qualities to lose weight.

Levine explained that many kids get the medication from their friends, and urged parents to be on the lookout. The drugs can be dangerous if you don’t need them, according to Levine, who explained that kids are typically screened for heart disease and get an EKG before getting the prescription.