Adderall shortage in America driving ADHD patients to use METH

11/01/2023 / By Laura Harris

The ongoing shortage of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication Adderall in the U.S. is forcing patients to resort to methamphetamine, according to social workers and healthcare professionals.

Widely prescribed for ADHD, Adderall is a legal form of mixed amphetamine salts often referred to as “legalized meth.” The drug contains compounds such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine that stimulate the central nervous system and address dopamine imbalance. Individuals with ADHD who take Adderall can focus and function effectively but are at risk of becoming dependent on the drug.

That’s why the ongoing Adderall shortage has driven ADHD patients to seek alternatives on the black market, including methamphetamine (meth). Both Adderall and the street drug fall under the amphetamine category and function in the same manner – stimulating the central nervous system and boosting dopamine levels, temporarily alleviating the symptoms of ADHD.

Methamphetamine is a highly potent and addictive drug that can lead to severe health consequences when used without medical supervision. While it can also increase dopamine levels and temporarily alleviate ADHD symptoms, it comes with numerous risks, including addiction, physical and mental health issues, and the potential for overdose.

Garrett Reuscher, a licensed social worker in New York, first disclosed this phenomenon. He reported that ADHD patients who had never used meth before are now inquiring about its effects and safer meth use due to their inability to access Adderall. According to Reuscher, some patients are desperate to find something to help them function when their prescribed medication is unavailable.

Furthermore, the increasing demand for ADHD evaluation and treatment has resulted in lengthy wait times for diagnosis, even for those who already have a prescription. This delay worsens the desperation of ADHD patients who are unable to access Adderall and are seeking alternative solutions like meth.

FDA blames labor shortage, increased demand

In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially declared an Adderall shortage due to worker and supply shortages at Teva Pharmaceuticals, a major manufacturer of the medication. But even prior to the October shortage announcement, Adderall supplies had been dwindling.

Teva and three other drug manufacturers had placed extended-release Adderall on back-order almost a year ago, citing a labor shortage as the cause. The company had initially promised that the shortage would only last until the end of 2022, but this did not materialize.

In July, the FDA said Teva continues to experience an “unprecedented increase in demand” for Adderall. According to the regulator, the shortage is primarily “demand-driven.” (Related: ADHD medication Adderall is running out of stock at CVS and Walgreens amid soaring demand.)

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) had previously listed Adderall as a drug “currently in shortage.” Among the nine companies that produce the ADHD medication, only three have been able to maintain fully available supplies.

Dr. Erin Fox, an associate chief pharmacy officer at the University of Utah Health who compiles drug shortage data, explains the ripple effect of a manufacturing issue. “If one company has a large market share and that company has a shortage or sudden manufacturing delay, it really puts pressure on the other companies, and they may not be able to make up the difference,” she explained. “It’s not always easy for these companies to ramp up supply quickly.”

Visit PrescriptionDrugs.news for more stories about the Adderall shortage.

Watch the video below to learn more about natural treatment options for ADHD.

This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.