The Risks of Untreated ADHD - ADD / ADHD Message Board

html · 03-09-2004, 05:25 AM

I've read a few opinions posted that there is nothing inherently dangerous about ADHD and that people treat ADHD children merely to conform to societal norms. I felt the need to compile some statistics for you about the dangers of untreated ADHD.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 18 percent of adolescent males began abusing drugs and alcohol in the previous 4 years. The rate for unmedicated ADHD boys was 75 percent.. The rate drops to 25 percent in medicated ADHD boys.
[url]http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol14N4/ADHD.html[/url]

80 percent of school dropouts are reported to have ADHD. Young untreated ADHD drivers have an increased risk of 300 percent of being involved in automobile accidents. They also have triple the risk for sexually transmitted diseases as their non-ADHD peers.

It is reported that almost 10% of people with ADHD have attempted suicide within the past 3 years. About 5% die from either suicide or accidental injury. The rate of suicide in the general population of the US is .01%.

Personally, I find these statistics alarming.

John

Please note that only the section that defines “treating” ADHD as medication is the one about drug abuse. Certainly, there are other methods of treating ADHD and, in fact, research has shown that a combined approach to be the most effective.

oceanchic · 03-09-2004, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by html

I've read a few opinions posted that there is nothing inherently dangerous about ADHD and that people treat ADHD children merely to conform to societal norms. I felt the need to compile some statistics for you about the dangers of untreated ADHD.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 18 percent of adolescent males began abusing drugs and alcohol in the previous 4 years. The rate for unmedicated ADHD boys was 75 percent.. The rate drops to 25 percent in medicated ADHD boys.
[url]http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol14N4/ADHD.html[/url]

80 percent of school dropouts are reported to have ADHD. Young untreated ADHD drivers have an increased risk of 300 percent of being involved in automobile accidents. They also have triple the risk for sexually transmitted diseases as their non-ADHD peers.

It is reported that almost 10% of people with ADHD have attempted suicide within the past 3 years. About 5% die from either suicide or accidental injury. The rate of suicide in the general population of the US is .01%.

Personally, I find these statistics alarming.

John

Please note that only the section that defines “treating” ADHD as medication is the one about drug abuse. Certainly, there are other methods of treating ADHD and, in fact, research has shown that a combined approach to be the most effective.

Unfortunitly I can relate with this situation all to well. I was diagnosed with ADD at 13 and put on ritalin, my life did a 180 at that point. I felt like for once I actually had control over myself. Unfortunitly when I was 15 my mom lost her job and we had no insurance. I stopped taking my meds at that point. about a year later I discovered crystal meth and realized that it gave me that same in control feeling. At first I only did enough to help my add but soon became very addicted. At age 17 I went to my doctor told him I had a problem and I needed help and he put me on a very low dose of adderall and was seeing me twice a week. From that day on I never used meth again, it was a scary realization that I was using drugs and actually justifying my addiction because they gave me that normal in control feeling that I so needed. All I can say is that stimulant medication saved my life, I don't know what would of happened to me if I wouldn't of had such a wonderful supportive doctor and family to help me through my addiction! I have been on Adderall ever since and it has been wonderful for me. I also use therapy and meditation to help as well. Thanks for posting this link, I agree it is very shocking to read and I just wanted to say that it is very true and very real.

missyob · 03-09-2004, 03:35 PM

I found the study very interesting. At age 11 I started taking "speed" that I bought off the street. It wasnt really a high I got off of it but rather a normal feeling. When I took the speed I finally felt more in control of my thoughts, actions, and feelings.

~ Missy

* Free ~ Spirit * · 03-09-2004, 05:32 PM

Funny, I havent seen any posts say that the only reason for medicating ADD was because of society. I have said many times that many children are medicated because they are different and society wants to make everyone the same. This is very true! ADD is very overdiagnosed! Many times just because a child is different they are drugged for years on end. Its an awful thing but is happening more and more. This is totally different from saying that ADD doesnt exist at all (obviously I dont think that it doesnt exist at all, I have ADHD!!)

As for suicide rates, ADD symptoms go along with many issues. Just because someone has the symptoms doesnt mean that its truely ADD. Someone who is suicidal obviously has something else that they are dealing with.

oceanchic · 03-09-2004, 07:13 PM

FS~
Isn't saying that children are often medicated because they are different and society wants them to be like everyone else and that people treat ADHD children merely to conform to societal norms the same thing? I guess I am just a little confused about your post? It didn't really seem to make sense with the topic?