ADHD medications may reduce risk of suicide, substance abuse and accidents, says study

Beyond managing focus and hyperactivity, ADHD medications may offer life-saving benefits, according to new research (Image: Pexels)

The rise of internet therapy reels has made ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) a trending term in everyday conversations. Many casually describe themselves as having "ADHD brains", but in reality, far fewer people meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis. While the term has become something of a buzzword online, awareness of ADHD symptoms often comes only after the disorder begins to impact daily life significantly.

According to a recent study, drug therapy can help newly diagnosed individuals with ADHD reduce their risk of substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and actions, mishaps, and even criminal activity.

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What is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children that affects daily brain functions.  The ways that ADHD affects brain function are different from those of neurotypical patterns. Impulsive behaviour, trouble staying motionless, trouble focusing, and unusually high energy levels are typical symptoms. Experts stress that while more people are seeking treatment, the prevalence of ADHD is not increasing. An estimated 2.5% of adults and 5% of children are thought to have ADHD, and the number of diagnoses is continuously rising.

ADHD is typically treated with stimulant medications, which are helpful in controlling everyday symptoms. However, there is less certainty about their long-term effects on behaviour, and concerns about negative side effects like headaches, insomnia, and appetite loss have sparked debate.

What does the study say?

The study analysed data from 148,500 individuals aged 6 to 64 in Sweden between 2007 and 2020. Of these, 57% began drug therapy, and nearly nine in ten were prescribed methylphenidate (commonly known as Ritalin). Using a trial-emulation approach designed to mimic randomised clinical trials, the participants were tracked for more than two years.

Researchers found significant decreases in first-time incidents among patients taking medication:

• Reduced risk of suicidal behaviour by 17%
• 15% reduction in drug abuse
• Transport accidents have decreased by 12%.
• A 13% decrease in criminal activity

The advantages were even more evident when looking at recurrent events:

• 15% fewer suicidal thoughts and actions
• 25% decrease in recurrent drug abuse
• Transport accidents have decreased by 16%.
• 25% fewer convictions for crimes
• A 4% decrease in recurrent unintentional injuries

What causes these advantages?

The improvements, according to experts, are the result of two essential elements of treating ADHD, improved attention and impulse control. While less impulsive behaviour may lead to lower the risks of substance abuse, self-harm, greater focus may result in fewer driving accidents.

The study suggests that ADHD drugs can benefit society as well as individuals because it evaluates a large number of participants and was created as a solid analytical framework.

Still, researchers caution that the study cannot eliminate the possibility of other influences, such as genetics, lifestyle, or ADHD severity. While the associations are strong, they stop short of proving causation.