US Adderall Shortage Driving ADHD Patients to Meth Use
According to social workers, the persistent shortage of Adderall in America has led ADHD patients to turn to meth as an alternative. Despite the FDA’s announcement of an Adderall shortage in October 2022, people are still struggling to access the medication over a year later. The reliance on Adderall can cause individuals with ADHD to seek black market alternatives to fulfill their need for dopamine.
Both Adderall and meth are amphetamines and central nervous system stimulants that help balance dopamine levels in individuals with ADHD. Garrett Reuscher, a licensed social worker in New York who counsels drug users, reported that clients with ADHD have started seeking information about safer meth use, claiming they can’t obtain their medication and need something to help them function.
The ongoing Adderall scarcity is linked to worker and supply shortages at Teva Pharmaceuticals, based in Israel. Teva Pharmaceuticals accounted for one out of four branded and generic Adderall pills dispensed at US pharmacies last year. Additionally, the pandemic led to a surge in new Adderall prescriptions due to increased accessibility through telehealth services.
Adderall, which contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Withdrawal from Adderall can result in depression, irritability, headaches, oversleeping, insomnia, fatigue, and nightmares. Abuse of both meth and Adderall is a concern, as evident in Britney Spears’ case. Her ex-boyfriend expressed worries about her excessive Adderall consumption in 2008. The misuse of Adderall has also been associated with tragic outcomes, such as Elijah Hanson’s suicide in June 2022 after he obtained an Adderall prescription through the online platform Cerebral.
The rampant abuse of prescription stimulants is a serious issue among US teens. A study funded by the government revealed that one in four teens at certain schools engage in the misuse of drugs like Adderall. The high demand for ADHD evaluation and treatment has led to long wait times for diagnosis, leaving even those with prescriptions struggling to obtain the medication. This scarcity puts individuals at risk of turning to meth as an alternative.
Meth is classified as a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act and is primarily used recreationally. Without medical supervision, meth can be highly dangerous and prone to overdose. Meth-related overdoses have surged in the past decade, with over 30,000 deaths reported in 2021. Many of these deaths involved the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is increasingly found in drug supplies.
Many individuals with ADHD began using meth before receiving a diagnosis and discovered that the stimulant helped them focus. However, this reliance on meth can have severe consequences. Brianna, a massage therapist in Las Vegas, shared her experience of using meth to improve her concentration in college. She achieved straight As like her peers but constantly feared random drug testing. Despite wanting to pursue legal treatment for ADHD, she faced obstacles due to her meth use history and the requirement for drug testing. Ultimately, Brianna found a doctor who diagnosed her and prescribed Adderall, which has helped her reduce her meth intake, although she has been unable to quit completely.
The ongoing Adderall shortage poses significant challenges for individuals with ADHD, leading to the dangerous use of meth as a substitute. Efforts must be made to address the shortage and ensure those who rely on these medications have proper access to them.
