Central nervous system stimulants such as Ritalin remain the most common--and controversial--pharmacotherapy for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Detractors argue that these controlled substances elevate risk of future substance abuse among kids, while others contend that children who go untreated often self-medicate with alcohol and illegal drugs.
A forthcoming meta-analysis of five studies on ADHD and substance abuse found no indication that stimulants put kids at risk. On the contrary, stimulants appear to have a significant "protective effect."
Untreated youths with ADHD were three times more likely than their medicated peers to abuse substances during adolescence, and 1.6 times more likely to abuse substances as adults, according to Timothy Wilens, M.D., a Harvard University professor of pediatric psychiatry.
