Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Stimulants: Reducing Harms

An increase in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses since 2020, along with shortages in prescription stimulants and an increase in overdose deaths from stimulants, has triggered alarm within the public sector, regulatory agencies, and health care systems. Stimulants are classified as Schedule II drugs by the Drug Enforcement Administration due to the potential for misuse and physiological and psychological dependence. Despite concerns, stimulants are effective first-line treatments for children and adults with ADHD. The majority of deaths related to stimulants are linked to misuse of illicitly manufactured stimulants that may contain the synthetic opioid, fentanyl. The current article provides a brief overview of the problem, along with clinical strategies for preventing and reducing harm. [<i>Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 63</i>(3), 7-10.].