The Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine



Attention RCBM Patients: A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has indicated that the misuse of Adderall has increased among individuals ages 18-25, who are receiving the medication without a doctor’s prescription. This is an issue that we, at RCBM, are taking very seriously. Adderall is the brand name for dextroamphetamine-amphetamine which is a stimulant typically prescribed for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Known side-effects include sleep disruption, increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, bipolar disorder, and aggressive hostile behavior as well as cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure and stoke. These side effects are especially concerning for those individuals who are taking the medication from friends or family members without a prescription. As a result of the misuse, Adderall-related emergency room visits have increased by 156 percent (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health). The study co-author? HYPERLINK "" Ramin Mojtabai, a professor of mental health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School, believes there should be more education for young adults on the risks of abusing Adderall. Mojtabai states that college students believe these stimulants are just “harmless studying aids”, when in reality, there are very serious risks (Johns Hopkins).“Adderall should be treated with the same scrutiny as prescription painkillers”, says Mojtabai. Due to the result of misuse from this study and the continual abuse of Adderall among young adults, RCBM will remain vigilant upon enforcing our long-standing policies of prescribing Adderall to its patients:No prescriptions will be written until valid and comprehensive testing on the patient’s chart indicates diagnosis. Enforce three month visits to ensure appropriate use of medication. Drug sharing is NOT tolerated and patients will be terminated if discovered.RCBM appreciates the understanding of this serious issue from its patients, and will do their best to educate the severity of Adderall abuse and the repercussions of misuse.Sincerely,Joel L. Young, MD ................
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