Stimulant medications are among the highly abused drugs in the country. Surprisingly, stimulants like Ritalin and Concerta which are both methylphenidate and amphetamines (Adderal) are actually prescribed to treat people with ADHD.

1. Substance abuse and ADHD statistics
Stimulant medications are among the highly abused drugs in the country. Surprisingly,
stimulants like Ritalin and Concerta which are both methylphenidate and amphetamines
(Adderal) are actually prescribed to treat people with ADHD.
Why Prescription stimulants are sometimes abused by people with ADHD?
A person is abusing a drug if it is taken in a different route/mode (snorting when it should be
swallowed only), in higher doses or abused for recreation purposes. A person with ADHD may
abuse stimulants to suppress his (or her) appetite or to sharpen concentration. Many students also
use stimulants before a major exam to increase their focus, attention and performance.
Stimulant abuse causes euphoria, weight loss and increased wakefulness.
Who has ADHD?
Are you impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive? If yes, you may be showing symptoms of
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which impacts millions of kids and adults
alike in the country.
The average age at which a child is diagnosed with ADHD is 7 years old. Symptoms of ADHD
continue to manifest into adulthood for about 6 out of 10 of children diagnosed with ADHD. In
reality, that makes 4 percent of the population in the country.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry claimed that in 2011, almost 5% of
children aged 4-6 have ADHD. Since 25% of adults with ADHD are likely to pass on the
disorder to their kids, the diagnosis rate of the condition continues to increase.
From 2003 to 2011 alone, the diagnosis rate of ADHD increased by 3 percent per annum.

2. In 2011, children aged 4 to 17 years who are diagnosed of ADHD are prevalent in the States
listed on the figure below:
Source: CDC.gov
The highest number of children diagnosed with ADHD came from Kentucky with 18.7% parent-
reported rates while the lowest was Mississippi with 14.0% rate.
Among other states, Nevada gains the number one post when it comes to the lowest parent-
reported rates of ADHD among kids aged 4 to 7 years old with only with only 5.6% PRR.
Among low-PRR states, Alaska has the highest number of cases (8.8%). Other States with low
PRR include: Colorado, California, New Mexico New Jersey, Utah, Hawaii and Idaho.
The Center for Disease Control and prevention reveals that boys are most likely to show
symptoms of ADHD than girls. While 13.2 % of boys have ADHD, only 5.6 of girls have the
same disorder.
ADHD and addiction treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment for people with ADHD and addiction is different from a typical
addiction treatment program. The dual diagnosis treatment facility uses a fully integrated
States with the highest
percentages of ADHD
diagnosis for children 4 to 17
years old (Parent Reported
Rates or PRR, 2011 )
• Kentucky
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Indiana
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• Delaware
• Ohio
• Alabama
• Mississippi

3. approach using intensive experience in treating both the addiction and the ADHD. Contact us to
learn how our treatment programs can help you overcome addiction and ADHD.