ADHD medications are used to control symptoms. Each person has a highly unique profile and such a cookie cutter approach is not the best way forward.
A holistic approach to all such disorders includes lab testing, nutrition, exercise, hydration, gut health, and behavioral & social interventions. Adults may exhibit more subtle signs than children, and their options for treatment are far greater than they may have been told.
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Alternative to Meds has provided holistic treatments for symptoms and medication withdrawal for more than 17 years. Our published evidence of successful outcomes for our clients is something we are very proud of. While it is true that medication sometimes does play a role in human health, many other treatments may have been more helpful were they implemented.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
The prevalence of ADHD diagnoses among all groups has risen in recent years. A sampling of reports indicates a prevalence of 7% to 17% for children, with an average of 11.3% — an increase from 2020 to 2022. Adult diagnoses are on the rise as well, with as many as 6% of adults receiving a diagnosis since 2020.2,3Powerful prescription medications are, unfortunately, a common recommendation for those with ADHD. Among children with ADHD, 62% were regularly given a prescribed medication, far outstripping the 47% who were participating in behavior treatment. Worse, over half of those children were not accessing behavior treatment.4
Just as ADHD diagnoses is rising in adults, the use of prescription medication is rising, as well. Researchers noted a 32% increase in non-stimulant prescriptions and a 10% increase in stimulant prescriptions shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic.5
While the same study noted that more research is needed to clarify the reason behind the increase in prescriptions, it is clear that both adults and children are regularly prescribed medications that not only present a risk for negative physical and mental health outcomes but misuse and addiction.
Who’s At Risk for ADHD Medication Misuse? ADHD Presentations
ADHD is generally categorized into three main types, sometimes called presentations, which can be described by these characteristics:6
Inattentive Type
This type of ADHD signifies that the individual has challenges staying on task, keeping focused, and organized.
For a diagnosis of this presentation of ADHD, the individual must be experiencing five of these symptoms:
Doesn’t pay close attention to details and/or makes careless mistakes during tasks.
Has problems staying focused on what they are doing
Does not seem to be listening when spoken to
Does not follow through on instructions and does not finish work, chores, or other duties
Has issues organizing tasks
Avoids or does not like tasks that require ongoing mental effort
Often loses things that are important, such as phones, keys, wallets, etc
Gets distracted easily
Forget daily tasks, appointments, errands, etc
Daydreaming or mind wandering
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
This type of ADHD is indicated when the individual has excessive energy, is fidgety, has trouble sitting still, is talkative and is impulsive when it comes to decision-making.
For a diagnosis of this presentation of ADHD, the individual must be experiencing five of these symptoms:
Fidgets or taps their hands, feet or squirms
Is not able to stay seated
Runs around or climbs when they shouldn’t
Is unable to do things quietly.
Always seems to be “on the go”
Talks too much
Blurts out an answer before a question has been finished or finishing people’s sentences
Finds it difficult to wait their turn
Interrupts or intrudes on others and takes over what others are doing
Combined Type
This type of ADHD is indicated when the individual fits the criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive presentations of ADHD. It is considered the most common presentation.
Like many similar issues, ADHD is considered a spectrum. Individuals may experience a select few, some, or most symptoms to varying degrees, and the symptoms can change over time. This is especially true if the diagnosis is made in childhood and develops as the individual reaches adulthood.
Is ADHD Overdiagnosed?
Overdiagnosis happens when patients are diagnosed with ADHD but may not meet the criteria for the disorder or when the symptoms may be explained by other factors. ADHD shares similar symptoms with anxiety, learning disabilities, mood disorders, sensory processing disorders, sleep disorders, and even vision or hearing impairments.
With overdiagnosis, there comes overtreatment. This means unnecessary medication exposure and even the masking of the underlying issues mentioned before. Additionally, taking non-prescribed stimulants can cause cardiac irregularities, dependency, and paranoia.7
ADHD Medications
The prescription medications commonly used to treat ADHD can be classified as either stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulant medications typically include methylphenidate-based or dexmethylphenidate-based options such as Ritalin, Concerta, or Focalin and amphetamine-based or dextroamphetamine-based options such as Adderall or Dexedrine.
Stimulant medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters in an individual’s brain to improve attention and impulse control. More specifically, methylphenidate-based medications work by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, and amphetamine-based medications work by increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine from nerve terminals into the synapses.8
Non-stimulant medications include atomoxetine and guanfacine, which affect neurotransmitters but do not increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine like in stimulants. These are typically prescribed if the individual does not respond well to the stimulant medication or experiences intolerable side effects.
ADHD Medication Side Effects
Every drug comes with possible side effects, with ADHD medication being no different.
Some of the side effects can include:8
Loss of Appetite/Weight Loss — A loss of appetite affects about 80% of stimulant medication users because it influences the areas of the brain responsible for appetite regulation. This may mean unintended weight loss.
Difficulty Sleeping — Stimulant medications can interfere with sleep, often making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Gastrointestinal Issues — Some people taking stimulant medication can have nausea, stomach upsets, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Tics or Twitching — Stimulant medications may exacerbate pre-existing tics or lead to the increased noticeability of involuntary movements such as eye blinking or throat clearing.
Minor Growth Delays — Some children and adolescents have experienced growth reduction, usually occurring in the first one to three years of treatment. Most growth rates stabilize thereafter.
Changes in Blood Pressure and Heart Rate — Stimulant medications can increase your heart rate. This increase is typically minor but can be concerning for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
ADHD Medication Misuse
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, prescription stimulant misuse has been on the rise over the past two decades.9 This misuse can be from individuals using the medication when they are not prescribed it or using their prescription incorrectly.
Misusing ADHD medication has health and psychological risks such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. They can be habit-forming, and individuals may develop a dependence or addiction.
Besides these risks, taking too much of the medication or more than prescribed can lead to severe side effects, including:
Psychosis
Seizures
Tremors
Agitation
Restlessness
Heightened anxiety
Nausea
Vomiting
Cardiovascular events
And even death
There is also a growing concern about ADHD medication misuse among college students, who are often taking them to increase attention and focus and do better academically. Some estimate that up to 20% of college students abuse prescription stimulants for this purpose, along with for recreational use. Most of these young adults are getting the medications from their peers who have the prescription, which can lead to legal trouble.10
College students who misuse prescription stimulants may experience dysfunction in self-monitoring and abnormalities in working memory. Combining these stimulants with other substances, such as alcohol, can increase the risks of overdose or toxicity.
ADHD Medication Addiction
Stimulants and other psychotropic drugs alter the way your brain receives messages via chemical signals. These changes take time and come from continual use, and it is possible that you can become dependent on a substance even if used as directed. Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine are all classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule 2 due to their high potential for misuse, abuse, and psychological or physical dependency.
Since Adderall and other stimulant medications boost the chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine (otherwise known as the brain’s “reward center”), it can cause feelings of pleasure and happiness. Over time, chasing these feelings or the energizing effects of stimulants can lead to tolerance, a situation that occurs when the brain and body need more and more of the medication to achieve the same effects. Increased use over time can quickly lead to dependency when the brain and body have trouble functioning correctly without the medication.11
Warning Signs of ADHD Medication Abuse and Addiction
While misusing stimulants can quickly lead to becoming addicted to them, it is possible to grow dependent on stimulants while using them as directed.
Some signs of addiction are:
Intense craving for the substance
Inability to quit using a substance even though it is detrimental to relationships, employment, or finances
Doing risky or dangerous things to get the substance
Feeling agitated, anxious, or paranoid
Appetite loss or weight loss
Hiding the substance, being defensive about it, or avoiding discussions about the topic
Irregular heartbeat
Neglecting responsibilities such as work and school
Social isolation
Increasing dosage without doctor’s approval
Prescriptions “running out early”
Mania and psychosis
Since stimulant medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters in an individual’s brain, a dependency is created, and abruptly going off them causes withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, as a result, people who are addicted to ADHD medication frequently experience additional issues while attempting to cease using the medication.
Mood changes like irritability, anxiety, or mood swings
Fatigue
Changes in sleep patterns
Appetite changes
Cognitive changes such as attention, memory, and executive functioning issues
Attempting to stop ADHD drug use has not been thoroughly studied, but one study suggests the withdrawal experience of ADHD drugs is similar to those of cocaine and other stimulant drugs.
Everyone’s withdrawal effects will vary, and not everyone will experience the same symptoms. If you need comfortable, inpatient care and natural holistic help for stimulant ADHD medication withdrawal, you can find more information on our services overview page.
Are There Other Ways to Treat ADHD Without Medication?
Since the most commonly prescribed medication treatment for ADHD is amphetamine-based stimulant drugs, many people seek non-pharmaceutical alternatives. Stimulants can be highly addictive, cause unwanted side effects and health outcomes, and are under-studied regarding what side effects they could cause long-term.
Non-medication treatment strategies commonly include behavioral therapy, counseling, and lifestyle changes. If you’re looking for more specific holistic ways to treat ADHD, you may want to explore behavior training, diets that eliminate common dietary hyperactivity triggers, omega-3 supplements, biofeedback, exercise, and more.
Finding Alternatives to ADHD Medication for You
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, medication does not need to be your only option. There may be a combination of professional therapy, diet, lifestyle changes, and holistic options that work even better for you.
Medication is not the answer for everyone, and you do not need to be trapped in the cycle of symptoms and side effects. If you would like to talk with a professional team of licensed physicians, nutritional psychiatrists, and holistic professionals, contact us so that we can work together with you to find a safe alternative to relieve your ADHD symptoms.
1. Abdelnour, E., Jansen, M. O., & Gold, J. A. (2022). ADHD Diagnostic Trends: Increased Recognition or Overdiagnosis?. Missouri medicine, 119(5), 467–473. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9616454/
2. Song, P., Zha, M., Yang, Q., Zhang, Y., Li, X., & Rudan, I. (2021). The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of global health, 11, 04009. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.04009
3. Chung, W., Jiang, S. F., Paksarian, D., Nikolaidis, A., Castellanos, F. X., Merikangas, K. R., & Milham, M. P. (2019). Trends in the prevalence and incidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adults and children of different racial and ethnic groups. JAMA network open, 2(11), Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2753787
4. CDC. (2022, May 22). Data and Statistics About ADHD | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
7. Ford-Jones P. C. (2015). Misdiagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: ‘Normal behaviour’ and relative maturity. Paediatrics & child health, 20(4), 200–202. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/20.4.200
8. Graham, J., Banaschewski, T., Buitelaar, J. et al. (2011). European guidelines on managing adverse effects of medication for ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 20, 17–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-010-0140-6
9. Danielson ML, Bohm MK, Newsome K, et al. (2023) Trends in Stimulant Prescription Fills Among Commercially Insured Children and Adults — United States, 2016–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:327–332. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7213a1.
10. Kennedy S. (2018). Raising Awareness About Prescription and Stimulant Abuse in College Students Through On-Campus Community Involvement Projects. Journal of undergraduate neuroscience education : JUNE : a publication of FUN, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience, 17(1), A50–A53.Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6312145/
11. Konova, A. B., Moeller, S. J., Tomasi, D., & Goldstein, R. Z. (2015). Effects of chronic and acute stimulants on brain functional connectivity hubs. Brain Research, 1628, 147-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2015.02.002
12. CDC. (2024). QuickStats: Percentage* of Children and Adolescents Aged 5–17 Years Who Had Ever Received a Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder,† by Urbanization Level§ and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020–2022. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7305a6
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Lyle Murphy is the founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, a licensed residential program that helps people overcome dependence on psychiatric medication and addiction issues using holistic and psychotherapeutic methods.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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