ADHD Substance Abuse

Identifying Those at Risk

The rise of ADHD prescription drug abuse is on the rise among teens and college students. The physical consequences are dire—the risk to their future, no less so. This is an issue that deserves our attention, front and center. We need to explore ways to address this dangerous form of drug abuse.

From Within

One way to combat the problem is to tackle it from within its physical plant. Those health-care providers who are based within high schools and colleges should make the effort to foster a relationship with the students under their care. By remaining alert and observant, school nurses can spot unusual behaviors or attitudes as they crop up. School health-care providers should be taught to recognize the signs and symptoms of those at risk for ADHD drug abuse.



To that end, the National Association of School Nurses has created an educational toolkit to teach school health-providers how to prevent, identify, and manage the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs. The kit includes lesson plans for nurses and health educators alike. There are also tips for school administrators contemplating the implementation of drug-testing programs for students and links for obtaining further information about drug abuse prevention in schools.

Teens and young adults who display sudden bold changes in their behavior, attitudes, or appearance, are giving off the first signals that they may be abusing drugs such as ADHD medications. If such changes are witnessed, a full medical history should be taken to help assess the student for drug abuse. The key to running down the facts and dispensing help where needed is in noticing changed behavior and appearance and in fostering an ease of communication between students and providers.

Ask Questions

Health-care providers should dare to ask questions. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration suggests employing the CAGE screening tool:

http://www.associatedneurologists.com/cage.html as the basis of these discussions. This is a series of four questions related to alcohol use, but might be adapted as a tool for screening students for potential drug abuse. It is recommended that this screening tool be used at each visit with a student patient.

Here is a suggested adaptation:

* Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drug use?


* Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drug use? 

* Have you felt bad or guilty about your drug use? 

* Have you ever used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to help you do better in school?

Don’t judge and don’t mince words. Kids at risk should feel you care no matter what, but that you won’t tolerate anything but the truth. Watch the student for signs he is becoming defensive when you bring up the topic of substance abuse.

This article has been copied in whole with kind permission from www.cognibeat.com and can be found at http://community.cognibeat.com/2010/11/substanceabuse/