New research reveals that 54% of people who regularly use party drugs, such as ecstasy, are also taking ADHD medications without a prescription.
This marks the highest rate since the National Drug and Alcohol Research Center at UNSW Sydney began tracking the trend in 2007.
The 2024 report surveyed 740 individuals from major Australian cities, highlighting a sharp rise in non-prescribed use of pharmaceutical stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse).
These medications are typically prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, but recreational users are seeking them to boost alertness, concentration, or even to get high.
The ease of obtaining these drugs is notable, with 79% of respondents stating they had little difficulty finding them.
Though most users reported taking these drugs monthly or less frequently, there’s been a significant uptick in non-medical use since 2007, when just 17% admitted to it.
Pharmaceutical stimulants have a relatively safe toxicity profile when used as prescribed, but recreational use poses serious risks.
Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and potential heart irregularities are among the side effects.
Snorting these medications, a method reported by 25% of users, adds further physical risks, such as sinus damage and faster onset of effects, which can heighten danger.
With ADHD diagnoses rising globally, more prescriptions mean more opportunities for these drugs to end up in illicit markets.
The study emphasizes the need for harm reduction campaigns and continued research to monitor the associated risks of non-prescribed stimulant use.
In the broader Australian population, non-medical use of these stimulants remains lower, with just 2.1% reporting it in a 2022-23 survey. However, as access to ADHD medications expands, the potential for misuse grows alongside it.
Harm reduction strategies and better education on the risks of mixing stimulants with other substances could help address this rising trend.
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