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July 12, 2026Addiction Research & Theory

ADHD medication and the risk for substance use disorder, where do they meet?

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Authors

TBTibor M. BruntCCCleo L. CrunelleWBWim van den Brink

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Overview

Think Piece explores the relationship between ADHD medications and risk of substance use disorder, suggesting a protective effect with proper use.

Key Points

  • This piece examines how ADHD medications, particularly psychostimulants, influence the risk of developing substance use disorders.
  • Summarized epidemiological, neurobiological, and genetic evidence
  • Reviewed existing literature on ADHD, psychostimulants, and substance use disorder relationships
  • Therapeutic use of psychostimulants in ADHD patients, especially when started early and used at the correct doses, may reduce SUD risk.
  • Higher doses of psychostimulants may normalize reward circuitry and reduce substance use in individuals with ADHD and SUD.
  • Concerns persist about potential misuse of prescribed psychostimulants and long-term side effects like cardiovascular issues.

Cite This Study

Brunt et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a5333754f7abc118adee19dhttps://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2026.2699781
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Holistic Management of Adult ADHD with a History of Addiction: Emphasis on Low-Addiction-Risk Psychopharmacotherapy2025 · 3 citations
  2. 2Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Transitional-Aged Youth With Comorbid Substance Use Disorder2025
  3. 3Treat comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorder with both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for best results2026
  4. 4Demographic and Clinical Predictors of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Among Youth and Adults With Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder2026
  5. 5Discontinuation and reinitiation of pharmacological treatment for ADHD among individuals with ADHD and substance use disorder2026