This is a question I get every time I talk with a family about medication treatment for their child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And the best answer has been “some will, some won’t”.
But at the APA meeting in New Orleans there was a report from the research group at the Mass General in Boston. They have been able to suggest answers to a lot of question about the outcome of children with ADHD. There is a higher rate of substance use problems in adolescents and adults who have a diagnosis of ADHD. But in this 10 year follow-up of children they asked “What are the predictors?”
Their data confirmed that a diagnosis of ADHD was associated with an increased incidence of drug and alcohol problems. But the finding of severe conduct problems in these children was even more highly associated with future substance use problems.
The take home message for me is that medication alone will not be sufficient to address the severe problems that many children with ADHD present. Parent training, especially for those with severely disruptive behaviors, is a necessary, integral part of their treatment.
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ReplyDeleteIn my personal experience there is a higher risk to your child re drugs,alcohol,food,risky activities,STD'S if they are not medicated.My son was Dx aged 5yrs and I was Dx aged 47yrs but my brother self medicated and died aged 35yrs !
ReplyDeleteMy son is now 13yrs and I am 52yrs and we are both doing so much better since I was medicated because now I can help my son and not hinder him !