A shortage in the amphetamine Adderall, which treats ADHD, is bringing fear in the hearts of those who truly need it. The shortage, according to Dr. Gregory Jantz of The Center - A Place for Hope may not be caused by those patients.
Dr. Jantz says there's not enough supply for the demand. "The demand is SURGING!. Last year it was up 21%!" Dr. Jantz says they are seeing addictive use of Adderall in their practice and gives the example of one of his patients. "He's not taking as prescribed. He's buying it on the streets! What I'm seeing is with the clients we're working with, probably most are great over-users."
He says as important as its misuse is the shortage is causing those who need it for their own mental health can't get it. The rise in demand for Adderall has triggered a shortage of the drug - raising fears that some people can't get medicines they rely on, while many others may be misdiagnosed.
Prescriptions for stimulants have been skyrocketing as it’s become easier and easier to get a diagnosis. Why it matters: The rise in demand for Adderall has triggered a shortage of the drug - raising fears that some people can't get medicines they rely on, while many others may be misdiagnosed.
"These people who are saying - 'I'm supposed to be taking 20 milligrams. But honestly - I'm buying them off the streets!' So --- that's what's happening!"
Adderall was often prescribed by telemedicine companies during the Covid Lockdown. Experts saying in these rapid diagnoses it can be difficult to tell whether ADHD was actually the problem!
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