Posted by linkadge on January 19, 2007, at 13:39:36
In reply to Re: ADD/HD more likely to abuse Stims- » MIke Lynch, posted by kelv on January 18, 2007, at 19:55:43
>I am quite sure that it is just the opposite, >those treated with stimulants for adhd are less >likely to abuse drugs."
It has been argued both ways. One side also argues that stimulant drugs are inducing drug seeking behavior by activating addiction genes in patients. Ritalin and dexedrine, in clinical doses can turn on genes that moderate the addiction process. These genes can remain activated for years after the drug has been discontinued.
Some argue that ex-ritalin users are more likely to abuse cocaine bacause when they use it they feel at home with the substance. That it is satisfying latent cravings induced by early stimulant treatment.
Mice treated with stimulants during adolecence also develop symptoms of depression and reward dysfunction for the remainder of their lives when the drugs are discontinued. These are otherwise normal mice treated with the drug so it is fair to conclude that long term use of the drug might set somebody up for depression.
This may also be a factor in why the disease now is continuing on into adulthood. Perhaps it needs to continue into adulthood because the brain does not function properly without the stimulants.
This is just what some researchers feel.
I don't know wheather the data indicates that stimulant treatment decreases addictive behaviors or not.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:721931
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070119/msgs/724065.html