Posted April 13, 2025 by CMiranda ARNP

In an unfortunate turn of events, stimulants are coming under fire for getting folks addicted or even being over-prescribed.  

Unfortunately, the authors of these articles and opinions have never worked with actual clients who had a substance use problem or addiction. They have little understanding that the reason why people get addicted is because they are trying to self-medicate. They do this because of the stigma of stimulants / medications or lack of access to the proper mental health professional.

In my personal experience, people have suffered years or even decades with untreated ADD or ADHD. They try various substances such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar, cannabis, methamphetamines, or even fentanyl. Without the proper treatment, these individuals may fall by the wayside instead of being productive members of society.

It is a fact that we are dopamine-driven species. There was a study conducted on rats where a sample of them had their dopamine deprived and they eventually died. They died not from lack of food, water, or shelter, but from the lack of dopamine and consequently drive / motivation to carry out essential life functions. Back in 2005, I came in contact with a client being taken care of by another provider. The client was physically stable, but they died because they lacked the will to live.

When clients who need this dopamine treatment do not get the proper care , they often turn to uncontrolled and addictive substances of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, cannabis, methamphetamines, fentanyl, or other substances.  

With proper treatment with Adderall or Ritalin based medications, we have an 80% chance of getting people successful treatment as well as to help them recover from substance use addiction.