For years, a rather chicken versus egg debate has existed in medical circles with regard to ADHD diagnoses in children.
Some studies suggest that young children who have ADHD that remained undiagnosed have an increased risk of drug abuse disorders, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
In other studies, doctors and parents have expressed concern with the treatment of children diagnosed with ADHD, mainly the use of medications such as methylphenidate or amphetamine which are used to reduce impulsivity, fidgeting and inability to focus, hallmarks of ADHD. Their concerns are deeply rooted as a result of empirical data presented that correlates to an increased vulnerability to drug abuse later in life as a result of using these stimulants.
“The medical field is such an exciting field for research as the possibilities for advancement in disease prevention, treatment and cure is so vast,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside
Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “The challenge is that there may be many different schools of thought and theory. It can be very difficult to sort through what seems to be contradictory information. When it comes to matters of ADHD and potential drug abuse, one must approach it from a risk versus reward analysis while answering the question, ‘is the behavior of this particular child so severe to warrant the possibility that treatment or non-treatment may materially affect the rest of his or her life?’ And that is a question that can only be answered by the child’s parents and physicians. As professionals within the addiction field, we must keep ourselves abreast of these possibilities, no matter how remote, and consider them as we manage an effective drug addiction treatment plan for our clients.”
The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as an on-staff Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. Through their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 12 years, Mountainside has become the model for the entire treatment field.
The program and its professional addiction treatment team has earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Waters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.
If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have any questions, please contact Mountainside
Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center for a confidential inquiry at 800-762-5433.
