GOD SAVE THESE KIDS –
Mar. 12, 2026 – A new study in 15- to 25-year-olds finds that ADHD treatment improves outcomes for young people with ADHD and substance use disorder — including a 30 percent decrease in mortality — but they are less likely to receive ADHD medication. The pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity can interfere with daily life, raising problems at home, work or school.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the researchers found that despite having an ADHD diagnosis, young people who also have a substance use disorder were significantly less likely to be prescribed central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, which is the first-line medication-based treatment for ADHD symptoms. Yet, among individuals receiving this type of ADHD medication, better health outcomes were observed and serious complications were reduced, including fewer emergency visits, hospitalizations and thoughts of suicide. Over five years, ADHD treatment was linked to approximately a 30% reduction in risk of death.
