Nonmedical use of prescription ADHD drugs among teens has dropped
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 7-Aug-2025 13:12 ET (7-Aug-2025 17:12 GMT/UTC)
Despite concerns about increased stimulant prescribing, nonmedical use of ADHD drugs among adolescents has declined in the last 20 years, a University of Michigan study shows.
While medical use of prescription stimulants for ADHD among adolescents increased slightly between 2005 and 2023, nonmedical use declined more.
"Lifetime medical use was 2% lower in 2005 when compared to nonmedical use, and is now 2% higher," said study co-author Philip Veliz, U-M research associate professor at the U-M School of Nursing and Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, and HealthNew research published today in Nature from Ryan Flynn, MD, PhD, in collaboration with Vijay Rathinam, DVM, PhD, and his graduate student Vincent Graziano at UConn Health and other colleagues at Boston Children’s Hospital and UConn Health has uncovered powerful evidence that may explain why a new chemical modification of RNA is made in cells. The findings could provide new concepts for understanding the development of autoimmunity and how bacterial pathogens are detected — and ultimately help identify new therapeutic targets.
Study shows for the first time that lithium plays an essential role in normal brain function and can confer resistance to brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease. The findings — 10 years in the making — unify decades-long observations in patients, providing a new theory of the disease and a new strategy for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Conclusions are based on a series of experiments in mice and on analyses of human brain tissue and blood samples from individuals in various stages of cognitive health.
A new report from the Gerontological Society of America provides critical guidance for health care providers working with the nation’s growing older adult population, highlighting strategies to improve communication, build trust, and support better health outcomes.