ADHD and Substance Use: Risk, Resilience, and Responsible Treatment

Brooke S.G. Molina, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, and clinical and translational science and director of the Youth and Family Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh.

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting individuals across the lifespan and increasingly recognized in adults, particularly women. Among the many questions surrounding ADHD, concerns about substance use and addiction remain especially important. Are individuals with ADHD at elevated risk for problematic substance use? Does treatment with stimulant medication increase or decrease the likelihood of later substance use disorders? And how should clinicians respond to the growing concern about stimulant medication misuse, particularly among adolescents and college students?

This presentation will review the evidence linking ADHD and substance-related risk, examine current theories regarding the mechanisms underlying this association, and discuss the role of evidence-based treatment in preventing and managing substance use problems. The session will also address the misuse and diversion of prescription stimulants and provide practical strategies for clinicians, parents, and caregivers to reduce inappropriate and potentially harmful use of ADHD medications.

• Summarize current evidence regarding substance use risk among individuals with ADHD.
• Differentiate myths from evidence concerning the effects of stimulant treatment on later substance use and addiction risk.
• Apply best-practice approaches to prevent, identify, and address stimulant misuse and diversion in adolescents and young adults with ADHD.

Brooke S.G. Molina, PhD has no relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.

The Child Mind Institute Visiting Professor Lecture Series invites leaders in the field of child and adolescent mental health to talk about the latest research and treatment protocols. All events are open to the public. Continuing medical education (CME) credits for psychiatrists and continuing education (CE) credits for psychologists and social workers are available to registered course participants. Learn more.