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I remain highly skeptical that there is a common neurological physical pathology in children that is treatable by a steady lifetime use of amphetamines and amph

I remain highly skeptical that there is a common neurological physical pathology in children that is treatable by a steady lifetime use of amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives. It's all comparable to the other major pharamceutical scandal of our era, i.e. the opiate prescription business. I would agree that children who appear incapable of paying attention to their teachers (who may not be very good teachers) in often-overcrowded classrooms will be better able to 'stay on task' if given amphetamines, but I don't see this as being much different from the heavy use of amphetamines in, for example, sweatshop factories in Asia where workers are doing repetitive tasks for hours on end. For example: > "Dignity Returns was founded by women who worked for a Bed Bath & Beyond factory in Bangkok, where they were often forced to work up to 60 hours at a stretch, making clothes for international brands like Nike, Gap or Reebok. They were given amphetamines so they could work multiple shifts, and their pay was sometimes docked if they complained of exhaustion." https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2010/10/25/global-garmet-workers-stitch-unity https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2010/10/25/global-garmet-... Constant use of amphetamine-type drugs, from Ritalin (methylphenidate) to Adderall (amphetamine) to Desoxyn (methamphetamine) does have numerous negative side effects, from skin acne to amphetamine psychosis, and also results in severe withdrawal symptoms (which accounts for the users tending to justify their diagnoses of ADHD because if they stop taking it, they feel terrible). This has not raised as many red flags as the opiate prescription epidemic, because overdose fatalities are rare in comparison. That said, I'm relatively libertarian in my views on drug use, and it is possible that some people may benefit from judicious use (I drink rather a lot of coffee, after all, and it helps me stay focused) but I think if people were well-informed they'd be much more cautious when it comes to taking such powerful stimulants (and painkillers).

eyelidlessness 4y ago
Undiagnosed and untreated adults with ADHD develop higher than normal rates of mental illness like anxiety and depression, higher rates of substance abuse and addiction, and often have difficulty maintaining personal relationships, careers, even basic personal responsibilities. Whatever the physiological reason, failing to diagnose and treat ADHD has a detrimental effect for many of us. I was diagnosed a few years ago, after a fairly severe mental health crisis with crippling anxiety and nearly drinking myself to death. Since diagnosis and beginning treatment with stimulants, I’ve been able to put my life back together. My life is stable, I’m happier than I ever was even before my mental health tanked, and my anxiety is manageable enough I seldom take notice of it. I don’t like the side effects of stimulants, particularly the toll they've taken on my already poor dental health (for folks who don’t know, “meth mouth” can be a thing even with prescription amphetamines taken as prescribed, not just from smoking). But I have no doubt in my mind that whatever side effects I’ve experienced or may, it’s better by far than what I’d have experienced without meds.
- danr4 4y ago
  AFAIK “meth mouth” is a myth. It’s just that addicts tend to care much less about dental hygiene. Amphetamines may dry your mouth slightly but as long as you keep your proper dental routine you should be fine.
MaxDPS 4y ago
> I remain highly skeptical that there is a common neurological physical pathology in children that is treatable by a steady lifetime use of amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives. I would argue that even if the effects diminish over time (and it’s true, they do), the benefit of being able to focus in class in those early formative years will pay dividends down the line. Being able to pay attention means you don’t have to play catch-up in math/English/etc later in life. The knowledge you gain in those years doesn’t go away once you stop taking meds. I’m just speaking as someone who didn’t get diagnosed until I was in my late 20’s. Getting diagnosed and prescribed meds was truly life changing and it’s frustrating thinking back and knowing school didn’t have to be so difficult.

eyelidlessness 4y ago

Undiagnosed and untreated adults with ADHD develop higher than normal rates of mental illness like anxiety and depression, higher rates of substance abuse and addiction, and often have difficulty maintaining personal relationships, careers, even basic personal responsibilities. Whatever the physiological reason, failing to diagnose and treat ADHD has a detrimental effect for many of us. I was diagnosed a few years ago, after a fairly severe mental health crisis with crippling anxiety and nearly drinking myself to death. Since diagnosis and beginning treatment with stimulants, I’ve been able to put my life back together. My life is stable, I’m happier than I ever was even before my mental health tanked, and my anxiety is manageable enough I seldom take notice of it. I don’t like the side effects of stimulants, particularly the toll they've taken on my already poor dental health (for folks who don’t know, “meth mouth” can be a thing even with prescription amphetamines taken as prescribed, not just from smoking). But I have no doubt in my mind that whatever side effects I’ve experienced or may, it’s better by far than what I’d have experienced without meds.

danr4 4y ago
AFAIK “meth mouth” is a myth. It’s just that addicts tend to care much less about dental hygiene. Amphetamines may dry your mouth slightly but as long as you keep your proper dental routine you should be fine.

MaxDPS 4y ago

> I remain highly skeptical that there is a common neurological physical pathology in children that is treatable by a steady lifetime use of amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives. I would argue that even if the effects diminish over time (and it’s true, they do), the benefit of being able to focus in class in those early formative years will pay dividends down the line. Being able to pay attention means you don’t have to play catch-up in math/English/etc later in life. The knowledge you gain in those years doesn’t go away once you stop taking meds. I’m just speaking as someone who didn’t get diagnosed until I was in my late 20’s. Getting diagnosed and prescribed meds was truly life changing and it’s frustrating thinking back and knowing school didn’t have to be so difficult.