In Case You Haven't Heard…

Abstract

Recent research has shown that getting stimulant medications for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) via telehealth raises the risk for substance use disorder (SUD). According to a study in Health Affairs, people aged 26-34 who started getting stimulant medications via telehealth were more likely to develop a SUD than those who started getting medications via in-person care. than those who started getting the medications via in-person care. “Although there appeared to be an increased risk of substance use disorder among patients who initiated their ADHD stimulant medication through telehealth, when we accounted for psychiatric diagnoses that also increase risk, the difference disappeared except for those aged 26 to 34,” said Joanne Constantin, Ph.D., the study's lead author. The fact that young adults are largely no longer able to be covered by a parent's health insurance after age 26 may play a role, she said. “Young adults are more independent about getting their own medication without parental supervision, which highlights the importance of screening and monitoring for this age group.”