The Nuance
Can Better Habits and Therapy Replace ADHD Drugs?
Going off medications can be enticing for people who have been on them for years. But is it safe?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one of the hallmarks of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is impulsivity — or making hasty decisions without taking time to think through the consequences. That’s probably a good thing for someone with ADHD to keep in mind before abandoning prescription medication.
“Just as taking a new drug can seem like the best way to solve a health problem, going off a drug can also be an enticing option — especially if someone has been on a medication for years and feels they no longer need it,” says Dr. Michelle Riba, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan.
“We all want a quick fix,” she says. “But it’s very important for someone to work with a doctor before making these sorts of changes.”
At the same time, she and other experts say there are some — and maybe a lot — of people in the United States on ADHD drugs who may be able to find relief from non-drug treatment options. “It’s also possible that some people diagnosed with ADHD as kids — and who have been taking drugs for it ever since — have been…
