8 Questions Adolescents Are Asking About Stimulants

Video: ADHD

Nora Volkow - it can make you paranoid, it can produce seizures, it can also produce heart arrhythmias

Bea_0421 - West Sioux - Can drugs cause disases such as A.D.D or A.D.H.D, if so, Why?

Nicolette Borek - The relationship between drugs and mental or psychiatric disorders such as ADHD can be complex...we're still learning how they are related. Some drugs can effect attention which is also effected by ADHD.

kyle - Ridgewood Middle School - hey can all drugs make yo mentall ill
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mclovin:-)342 - Bullard MS - can people get mental problems from doing drugs?

Wilson Compton - This is an excellent and complicated question. Drug abuse in general is associated with higher rates of many mental illnesses, like depression, schizophrenia, and manic depressive illness. However, one can look at this from either direction: persons with mental illness may use more drugs than other people and early drug use may lead to later mental illness. The reasons why addiction and other mental disorders coincide so frequently are not fully understood. Children and adolescents with psychiatric conditions (conduct disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and learning disabilities) are at higher risk of abusing drugs than other youth. Also, you might find it interesting to know that there is evidence that drug abuse early in life may increase the risk of psychiatric disorders or accelerate their course. NIDA-supported investigators are using neuroimaging, genotyping, statistical modeling, and other tools to parse the interplay of risk factors in the development of such disorders. For further information see: http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_notes/NNvol21N2/DirRepVol21N2.html

Trackstar - Jacksonville - Wat are the new new drugs that are out right now that are dangerous and popular

Wilson Compton - We have found that the most commonly abused drugs are tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. These three drugs are still very dangerous and popular. In addition, key drugs that we've become concerned about because they appear to have increased in popularity are prescription drugs (painkillers such as vicodin and oxycontin) stimulants (ritalin and adderal), sedatives and methamphetamine. These drugs are used by a lot of teenagers who may not realize how dangerous they can be. Did you know that drugs can contribute to lots of health problems, including lung and cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and mental disorders? For more information, check out: "The Science of Addiction". I hope this information helps!