You know a prescription drug is widely abused when it becomes the main character in recent movies! A is for Adderall is a documentary in production about the off-prescription use of that popular <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd">ADHD (attention deficient hyperactivity disorder)</a> medication. The producers filmed the teaser at the University of Wisconsin Madison (&ldquo;It&rsquo;s so available; it&rsquo;s everywhere,&rdquo; says one student.) And it&rsquo;s the star of the 2015 James Franco film, The Adderall Diaries, about a burned-out, drugged-up writer.

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/cns-stimulant/know-adderall-xr-before-taking">Adderall</a>, or dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, is often used to help those with ADHD become calmer and more focused, as is methylphenidate (brand names&mdash;Ritalin, Daytrana and Concerta). But from 2006 to 2011, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins, nonmedical use of these meds among adults (especially 18- to 25-year-olds) went up by 67 percent and emergency-room-related visits increased almost 156 percent.

What&rsquo;s the allure? They make it easier to study all night, plus they boost feel-good brain chemicals dopamine and decrease in the ability to concentrate. These meds also mask the affects of alcohol, making it all-too-easy to suffer <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/poisoning/what-is-alcohol-poisoning">alcohol poisoning</a>.

Unfortunately, young adults seem unaware of the risks&mdash;or the tough time they&rsquo;re going to have getting off the drugs. Experts&mdash;and we agree&mdash;are calling for the same aggressive oversight of these prescription meds that&rsquo;s proposed for opioids/pain relievers. And anyone using them without an Rx needs to reach out to abuse treatment experts for help getting off them&mdash;it&rsquo;s hard to do it by yourself.

Medically reviewed in October 2018.

Adderall Abuse: A Growing Risk for Young Adults

ADHD often reveals itself first at school. In this video, Dr. Oz discusses signs of ADHD and how to look for them.

ADHD in the Classroom

In this video, Dr. Oz outlines five lifestyle changes that support healthy and productive living for children with ADHD.

ADHD Lifestyle Changes

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder can make it difficult for a child to stay focused in school. In this video, Dr. Oz outlines five techniques parents can use to help their kids cope with the struggles of ADHD and put them on a path to success.

How to Set Up Your Child with ADHD for Success in School

It&rsquo;s easy to feel overwhelmed while caring for a child diagnosed with ADHD. That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s important for parents to take time out for themselves. Watch as Dr. Oz outlines five ways parents can empower themselves while helping their children succeed.

Taking Care of Yourself (While Also Taking Care of Your Child with ADHD)

Your 7-Step Plan for Managing ADHD

Discover the positive traits linked to ADHD and how to use them to your advantage.

The Bright Side of ADHD

What research says about food and child ADHD symptoms.

Can Healthy Eating Help with Child ADHD?

Having ADHD does not mean you have to live a chaotic life.&nbsp;

Getting Organized with ADHD

Impact of ADHD on 5 Key Areas of Adult Life

Several years ago when Hank Aaron was asked, &ldquo;What would you do differently if you played baseball today?&rdquo; the always graceful home-run king (at the time) replied. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s easy. I&rsquo;d ask for more money.&rdquo;

Well, the need to be rewarded for good performance isn&rsquo;t exclusive to big-time athletes. In fact, recognition for a job well done turns out to mean a whole lot more to children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than it does for adults in any profession or typically-developing kids, say researchers at the University at Buffalo. That&rsquo;s because <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/why-children-adhd-trouble-school">kids with ADHD</a>, a common childhood disorder that includes symptoms such as hyperactive behavior, difficulty staying focused and inattention demonstrate an increased sensitivity to reward. Verbal and other rewards up their motivation to master cognitive tasks and control their erratic behaviors, plus they help them feel more comfortable socially and emotionally.

This is <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/living-with-add-adhd/how-succeed-adhd">welcome news</a> to the thousands of parents, family and friends who are looking for ways to help kids with ADHD feel more comfortable in their own skin, and develop effective ways to manage their difficulties in and out of the classroom.

So if you have a child with ADHD or you know one who has the disorder, pay attention to what they do and find positive things to say about their behavior. Don&rsquo;t lie, kids know when you are, but identify their effort and praise their hard work. With good cognitive behavioral therapy, positive reinforcement, the proper medication and support in school kids with <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/video/mental-health/adhd/4-myths-about-adhd-in-kids">ADHD can thrive</a> and even excel.

Affirmation Important for Kids with ADHD

In one episode of The Simpsons, Principle Skinner calls in Marge and Homer to discuss Bart&rsquo;s disruptive behavior that, he said, was fueled by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pretty accurate diagnosis. In fact, when Matt Groening created Bart, he made his behaviors so textbook ADHD that two University of Central Oklahoma students created a YouTube documentary about the lad to explain the condition to their psychology class.

A person with ADHD sometimes can&rsquo;t concentrate long enough to complete a given task (attention deficit) and may display restlessness and compulsive behavior (hyperactivity). Medications such as Adderall (an amphetamine) or Ritalin (methylphenidate) are often helpful, especially for kids. However, many <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/article/living-with-adult-adhd">adults with ADHD</a> look for non-pharmacological ways to control the condition. Some alternatives:

<ul>
	<li>Research shows weekly group <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd-treatment/how-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-adhd">cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)</a> sessions focusing on strategies for planning actions, improving time management and easing stress responses are effective. For an ADHD CBT group near you, go to <a href="http://www.chadd.org" target="_blank">www.chadd.org</a>.</li>
	<li>One study indicates changing light exposure and sleep patterns might ease <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/article/symptoms-of-adhd-in-adults">ADHD symptoms</a>: In 75 percent of ADHD patients, onset of the physiological sleep phase (in which there are changes in the level of the sleep hormone melatonin and sleep-related movements) is delayed by 90 minutes&mdash;triggering all kinds of behavioral reactions. For a sleep clinic near you, go to www.sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility.</li>
	<li>One study&rsquo;s preliminary findings indicate that moderate doses of commercially available whole green coffee powder can improve sustained attention and working memory for folks 18 to 25, and may be helpful for those with ADHD.</li>
</ul>

Managing ADHD With CBT, Sleep Therapy and More

The teen years can be a roller-coaster ride for most children and families, thanks to hormone changes and boundary pushing. With attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the ride can be even more extreme. As a child with ADHD enters the teen years, symptoms such as excess energy, emotional outbursts and inattention don&#39;t necessarily vanish. In fact, new and more complex challenges unique to teens with ADHD can sometimes arise, which, when coupled with existing behaviors, can have a profound impact on the family dynamic. It&#39;s common for parents and siblings to feel frustrated and stressed out or somewhat resentful. At times you may feel inadequate as a mom or dad. If left unchecked, such emotions can strain relationships to the point where daily family life and communication start to break down.

It&#39;s not surprising that findings suggest marriage troubles are much more prevalent in families with an ADHD child or teen, and divorce rates are almost double, according to one study. Parents of ADHD children are also more likely to become depressed or abuse alcohol or drugs.

These stats highlight the importance of establishing systems&mdash;both within and outside your family&mdash;that foster awareness, communication and coping skills for the whole family as the ADHD child enters the teen years. Below are strategies to help you successfully navigate this stage of development:

Keep everyone informed 
Family members may already feel well versed in coping with an ADHD child, but new behavioral problems particular to the teen years are likely to appear. Discuss the possible behavior changes with the entire family so they can anticipate problems and know how to respond appropriately.

For example, research suggests that substance abuse and smoking are more prevalent among teens with ADHD than teens without the condition. Make yourself and everyone in the household aware of the red flags of substance abuse and how to recognize them in your teen. (<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/substance-abuse-in-teens/when-talk-child-drinking-alcohol" target="_blank">Here are some pointers on talking with your kids about alcohol and drugs.</a>) Also, because being easily distracted and having trouble staying focused put ADHD teens at a four-times-higher risk of auto accidents, make it known that your ADHD teen should never drive after his or her medication has worn off.

Have consistent rules, routines and rewards 
Maintaining an organized household environment, posting to-do lists with household chores, establishing routines and clear rules and using rewards for good behavior are techniques that your whole family will benefit from, especially your ADHD teen. The more structure and predictability you can build into your routines, the less distractions and frustrations for your teen. Also, be sure to closely monitor where your kids are, what they&#39;re doing and who their friends are. This is likely common practice for most parents, but with an ADHD teen, you&#39;ll need to be particularly vigilant.

Like all teenagers, those with ADHD are starting to yearn for greater independence and self-reliance. To foster that journey, you may want to slowly allow your teen to assume more responsibilities and to participate more actively in the decisions about household routines, schedules, rules, guidelines and rewards.

Hold regular family powwows. Setting aside a specific time and place to discuss how the family dynamic is working for the ADHD teen is key to identifying and addressing family conflicts as they arise. Be sure to schedule regular meetings for the entire family, as well as daily one-on-one sessions with your ADHD teen. As a parent, use individual meetings to reinforce or renegotiate rules, to talk through problems or conflicts and to brainstorm solutions. When talking with your teen, use a calm, nonjudgmental tone, listen without interrupting and maintain eye contact. Encourage your teen to talk openly about any conflicts or emotions he or she is having at home and to suggest possible solutions.

Practice stress management for the whole family. Talk with your family therapist about stress-relief techniques for you, your ADHD teen and other members of the family. Explore stress-reducing tools such as deep-breathing exercises, muscle-relaxation exercises, meditation, walking or other physical activities. Tai chi, yoga and massage therapy may also provide stress-relief benefits.

Take advantage of support groups and therapy. Joining a support group of other parents with ADHD teens can help soothe stress and provide practical solutions to challenges you&#39;re facing. Also, getting therapy for the entire family&mdash;including your ADHD teen&mdash;may help everyone better cope with the emotional stress and conflict inherent in a home with an ADHD teen. If you and your spouse are having issues or a breakdown in communication, you may also consider seeing a family and marriage counselor experienced with ADHD. Another tool to consider: a behavioral parent training (BPT) program specifically designed to teach more effective parenting skills for all phases of your child&#39;s life.

Teens with ADHD and the Challenges Families Face

Closing the book on summer break and heading back to school can be a struggle for any child. But back-to-school time can be particularly stressful for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), says <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-charan-k-cheema">Charan Cheema, DO</a>, a family medicine specialist at <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/group/saint-joseph-mercy-health-system">Saint Joseph Mercy Health System</a> in Saline, Michigan.

Why is it so important to start on the right foot? Doing so can mean the difference between a year filled with good grades and social success versus a year of anguish, poor school performance, and behavioral problems. Here are eight ways parents of kids with ADHD can help ensure a <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/kids-teens-health/article/ways-help-child-school-stress">smooth and successful transition to school</a>&mdash;and help them stay on track all year long.

Set up a calendar 
At the start of school, your child may be making resolutions that this is the year they&rsquo;ll get&mdash;and stay&mdash;organized. Several well-thought-out calendars can help them get there.

Look for one organizer that is large enough for them to write down all their assignments, plus a second one where they can log after-school programs and events, along with social activities like parties or playdates, advises Cheema.

Kids who are old enough to have their own smartphones or tablets may also benefit from a digital calendar, since these offer reminders and pop-up notifications. Have your child share their digital calendar with you to keep you in the loop.

Create an &lsquo;out-the-door&rsquo; checklist 
You probably know that a clear, rigid morning routine is crucial to helping your <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/slideshow/adhd-facts-all-parents-should-know">kid with ADHD</a> make it to the bus on time. And it goes without saying that a morning spent searching for lost socks, homework, and lunch boxes can make anyone crabby.

That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s a good idea to have a checklist your child can use to itemize tasks like making their bed, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing their teeth, and gathering their homework and lunch box before they head out the door, says Cheema.

Make sure you have backups at the ready, like hats, mittens, or pairs of shoes. These have a tendency to mysteriously disappear in households, so having extras will help guarantee you and your kid keep moving forward.

Touch base with your teacher 
If your child has ADHD, you may already have an IEP (individualized education program), a written plan of goals and accommodations that help ensure a student makes progress. But there are other strategies you can employ to help make sure your child&rsquo;s doing okay.

A communication binder that goes between school and home will allow you and your child&rsquo;s teacher to share notes about daily behavior and progress, explains Cheema. This sort of regular contact also helps make sure the teacher is following through on needed accommodations, like giving your child breaks or extra time to complete their work.

Teachers can also seat your child in a part of the classroom where they&rsquo;re least likely to get distracted, like up in front. If your child is older (say, middle or high school), consider asking if they can record lectures on their smartphone. This way, they can re-listen at their own pace and review any missed information at home.

Create a set homework routine 
Kids with ADHD thrive on consistency, so it often helps to start and finish homework at the same time and place every evening, advises Cheema. Choose a part of your home that&rsquo;s relatively distraction-free, and ideally somewhere where you can easily keep an eye on your child.

Allow frequent breaks, and imbue those breaks with a reward. For example, after finishing their spelling worksheet, let your child have a five-minute break to grab a snack and run around for a few moments. Make sure you offer positive reinforcement. Anytime they notch a success&mdash;even something small like sitting down at the table voluntarily to do their homework&mdash;praise them and explain exactly what they did well. Ignore negative behaviors, like whining.

You can also reward kids once homework is completely done by letting them play on their tablet or going outside. If they have a lot of trouble concentrating, you might try using a white noise machine or the sounds available from a relaxation program like Sharecare Windows (available on the Sharecare app for&nbsp;<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sharecare/id964313779?mt=8" target="_blank">iOS</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharecare.realgreen&amp;hl=en" target="_blank">Android</a>). Sounds like rainfall, waves, and soothing music may help maintain attention. Of course, if these add stress or distraction, it&rsquo;s best to set them aside.

Carve out time for exercise 
<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/types-exercise/article/health-experts-urge-move-more-sit-less">Physical activity</a> is important for all kids but may be especially valuable for those with ADHD. Some studies suggest that regular exercise can improve attention, behavior, and motor control in young people with ADHD. The research isn&rsquo;t yet definitive, but getting exercise is pretty low-risk, so it may be worth a try to work movement into your child&rsquo;s afternoon routine.

Just remember that structured team sports can be challenging for some kids with ADHD, since they may have trouble following multi-step directions and/or coordination, points out Cheema. Other options include running, swimming, marital arts, or even just going on a family walk.

Help them stay focused 
It can be hard for a child with ADHD to figure out which assignments take priority. You can make it easier for them by ensuring they have an assignment notebook to help organize their work.

Another good idea: color code everything. Colored folders can help your child organize work for different subjects like reading, math and writing, while highlighters will help them rank assignments by priority level. For example, use red to indicate a task due the next day, yellow for one due later in the week, and green for longer-term projects.

Clutter can also get in the way of staying organized, so it&rsquo;s a good idea to do a clean sweep of backpacks, desks, and workspaces on a regular basis.

Set up some play dates 
Establishing and maintaining friendships can be tough for kids with ADHD, since they often struggle with social skills. If your child has trouble making and keeping friends, setting up some structured play dates&mdash;where you can prep in advance for what&rsquo;s expected&mdash;can help ease anxiety. Try to organize some outings with another child in class as early in the year as possible, and ideally before the first day of school.

&ldquo;It can be easier those first few days if there&rsquo;s a familiar face there with them,&rdquo; says Cheema.

Ease back into medication 
Some kids with ADHD take a &ldquo;drug holiday&rdquo; over the summer, especially if they&rsquo;re experiencing side effects such as weight loss from decreased appetite due to stimulant meds. While most of these drugs have an immediate effect, it&rsquo;s a good idea to start kids back on their regular dosage about a week before school resumes, says Cheema. This way, they have a chance to get used to the medication before the first day of class.

After that, you can follow your kids closely and speak to your physician about tweaking dosage as needed. Some kids may also need a &ldquo;booster&rdquo; dose after the school day to help them get through homework and after-school activities&mdash;and set them up for a successful next day.

Medically reviewed in June 2019.

8 Tips for Going Back to School With ADHD

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that often starts in childhood. And as you grow into adulthood, the symptoms typically follow. But as an adult, ADHD symptoms create very different challenges. Symptoms of ADHD in adults like inattention, hyperactivity, and forgetfulness become more than obstacles to be overcome at school. Those symptoms can start to seriously disrupt every aspect of day-to-day adult life, tripping you up at home, at work, in relationships, and in other areas.

Just how does <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/article/living-with-adult-adhd">ADHD manifest in adult</a> life? Read our story of Susan, a profile we&#39;ve created to represent a typical adult dealing with adult ADHD. Do you see yourself in any of her struggles?

Morning Mad Dash . . . 
It&#39;s 6:00 a.m. when Susan&#39;s alarm goes off. She has to get up and get to work by 8:00, but somehow she&#39;s always late. She showers and gets dressed. But she&#39;s late getting out the door because she can&#39;t find anything. She forgot to wash clothes last night, so she struggles to find something presentable to wear. She can&#39;t find the sales brief she worked on the night before, or the bill she needs to mail. Or her keys. And she needs to stop and get gas on the way to work. The clock is ticking, and Susan feels rushed. She grabs some spare keys and heads out the door. While driving to work, she listens to the radio and thinks about her to-do list. Her cell phone rings, startling her deep reverie, and a driver honks when she drifts momentarily into his lane. Her thoughts are racing, and she feels distracted the whole drive to work.

Driven to Distraction 
Susan suffers from some classic symptoms of ADHD in adults. Chronic lateness, inattentiveness, and frequent distractibility are hallmark signs of adult ADHD. And Susan is definitely distracted and forgetful. Disorganization and inattention to detail make it hard for her to get ready and be on time for work and other obligations. She&#39;s typically late and misplaces things. And her mind wanders while she&#39;s driving -- which can be dangerous. Together, all of Susan&#39;s ADHD symptoms mean that her mornings get off to a rocky start.

A Difficult Workday . . . 
It&#39;s Monday afternoon in the office, and Susan has a meeting soon. She can&#39;t find the sales figures she&#39;s supposed to take. Her desk is cluttered and disorganized. In the meeting, Susan has a hard time paying attention when others are speaking. The manager asks her a question, but she doesn&#39;t hear, because she&#39;s lost in her thoughts. Her mind wanders, and she fidgets. Her inner restlessness is worse than usual. When the manager starts talking about the sales figures, Susan interrupts to ask a question about something else. By the end of the day, Susan feels bad for not getting more done.

Fidgety and Restless 
Susan&#39;s symptoms are typical of an adult living with ADHD. She is distracted and disorganized and has trouble listening and paying attention. Although she knows a lot about her job and the market her company competes in, Susan&#39;s symptoms make sitting through and contributing to a work meeting difficult. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/as-adult-add-feel-restless">Fidgeting</a> and interrupting when others are speaking can be symptoms of adult ADHD. So can inner restlessness, especially when it&#39;s so strong that it&#39;s impossible to concentrate and sit still. Adults are less likely than kids to be hyperactive. Instead, they may feel restless, on edge, and unable to relax.

Beyond the Job . . . 
Susan packs up at the end of the day and prepares to go home. She stops at the grocery store to pick up the ingredients her husband needs to make dinner. Walking up and down the aisles, Susan loads her cart with sales items she just can&#39;t pass up. She checks out and heads home. When she gets there, her husband notices that she forgot several things he needs to make dinner. He also asks why she bought so many things on sale that they don&#39;t really need. The couple is in debt from Susan&#39;s overspending. Susan gets angry and defensive but then feels bad about it later.

Impulsive and Emotional 
Susan forgot what she went shopping for, yet came home with a bunch of things she didn&#39;t need. Trouble remembering things, like a shopping list, and overspending are two additional common outcomes of ADHD symptoms. The ADHD symptom of impulsivity can manifest as impulse shopping -- and lead to financial troubles. And emotional reactivity is often a feature of ADHD in adults. Irritability, sensitivity to criticism, and low self-esteem may go hand in hand with the disorder.

Taking Back Control 
You might think that you&#39;ve gotten used to the symptoms of ADHD. But if you recognize some part of yourself in the story of Susan, you know just how much ADHD symptoms can interfere with everyday adult life. In general, ADHD symptoms in adults are more varied and less clear cut than ADHD symptoms in children. Also, unlike children, adults carry a heavy burden of responsibilities. The stress of these duties coupled with adult ADHD symptoms can lead to serious problems at home and at work. But the good news is that once you see how your ADHD symptoms are manifesting in your everyday life, you can begin to take steps toward controlling and managing them. Start taking control right now! <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd-treatment/treatment-options-adults-with-adhd">Find out about the latest treatments for ADHD.</a>

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/add-adhd/article/living-with-adult-adhd">And get some quick tips on living with ADHD as an adult.</a>

ADD/ADHD