STIMULANT MEDS and ADDICTION?

Question by thready: STIMULANT MEDS AND ADDICTION?
I am thinking about doing research at my university about stimulant medication for ADHD and addiction in people with ADHD. here is what i found on psycINFO so far.

I read in a scientific study that kids with ADHD who are given stimulant medication have a DECREASED incidence of drug abuse later in life.

i have been on stimulant medication since i was 9 and i notice that when i dont take it, i get really addicted to food and sex. and when i do take it, i am able to control the food and the sex instead of it controlling me.

there has already been shown to be a disconnect with parts of the brain in ADHD through functional MRI scans. could this disconnect be present in the reward system as well?

i want to find out if there is a disconnect in our pleasure and reward sensors in the ADHD brain

does anyone understand this? this is what i want to study at my university but i need to know if the public understands what i am getting at
and i want to confirm that stimulant medication helps the reward system of the ADHD person like myself

Best answer:

Answer by Claire
Hi, I dont think that the disconnection is linked with the reward system but never say never right. I do believe that when not taking medication for ADHD you lose the control and over indulge in pleasurable things whatever tastes maybe. I have recently worked with young adults diagnosed with ADHD and refusing treatment for it who have drug addiction problems. I understand the question/theories hope my answer helps.

Claire

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