Reply to S/O - not agreeing on ADHD Medication

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Thanks for starting another thread. I was a surprised at how the last thread was censored. Usually I don't bother to respond to these ADHD medication debates because this board leans firmly on the side of pro-medication.

Some of the posts from the pro-medication crowd made on the censored post that I wanted to respond to before we were told to stop the discussion:

[quote]"There are quite a few articles that have been published in the last couple years that show the kids with ADHD who take medication have better academic and social outcomes."[/quote]

Where are the studies that show long-term social and academic benefits? You won't find them. There are some studies that show small, immediate gains but nothing showing lasting, long-term benefits.

[quote]"These are not new medications, they have been in use for decades and are quite safe. What isn't safe is leaving ADHD untreated because it has been demonstrated over and over again that kdis with undtreated ADHD develop substance abuse issues at elevated rates. They self-medicate."[/quote]

Research has not show "over and over again" that un-medicated kids go on to develop substance abuse issues at higher rates. There have been few studies and the results are contradictory; some research has also shown that even a short exposure to stimulant medication in childhood is correlated with later substance abuse.

[/quote]

You are quoting me and yes there are many studies about all the things I said. the evidence shows that kids with moderate to severe ADHD do better in life if they have been treated with meds than without. Yes pharmaceuticals are involved in meds, in every medication for every condition and yes they have a vested financial in every medication so if that is your argument you would have to take the same stance against every medication. You can argue conspiracy theories and money making pharmaceuticals to your hearts content but it doesn't chance the evidence.  The fact you won't read them or aren't very aware of research doesn't mean they don't exist. Methylphenidate has been in use for 50+ years. Long term effects have been well studied. Is there on going debate - of course, there is in pretty much every field of medicine.

I am pro ADHD meds the same way I am pro asthma meds, pro heart meds, pro insulin, pro antibiotics. I think every decision about meds should be made in every case based on the individual and their presentation. Meds are not the answer for every child.  Meds are the answer for some kids and for those kids, when parents refuse meds because they want to make a point or want to be an anti-med activitist or feel somehow they are a better parent for not giving meds, the child suffers. Others don't believe in blood products, or in chemo or in antibiotics - doesn't mean just because you or they believe in withholding treatment that it is the best interest of the child medically. [/quote]

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