| In talking about ADHD new treatments, a new drug | | | | Psychostimulants or non stimulants? |
| was recently launched on the ADHD scene with a lot | | | | ADHD new treatments will come and go in the form |
| of hype and publicity. That new drug is Vyvanse and | | | | of psychostimulants or non stimulants but they all |
| is hailed as a pro drug. That simply means that it is a | | | | come with heavy baggage as regards side effects |
| less active form of the drug and that it metabolizes | | | | and risks. When we consider that about a third of |
| in the body so that it becomes active. It has fewer | | | | children will never be able tolerate the side effects of |
| side effects and the biggest claim perhaps is that it | | | | some of these drugs, it is time to look at other |
| has much less potential for abuse. | | | | ADHD new treatments. |
| Increase in drug abuse | | | | Child behavior modification |
| The question of abuse has worried many parents for | | | | Now that child behavior modification is gaining ground |
| quite a few decades now and the invention of this | | | | as one of the best and most effective of all the |
| new drug, may lessen fears but the risk remains. | | | | ADHD new treatments in combination with drugs or |
| Overall, there has been an increase of about 75% in | | | | simply as a stand alone, there is new hope that the |
| the amount of abuse cases using psychostimulants in | | | | ADHD challenge can be more fully met with success. |
| general reported over the last decade | | | | Parents are taught to find fun ways of rewarding |
| While we can safely say that most ADHD teenagers | | | | positive behavior and how to spend quality time, |
| will use their drugs correctly, there is an increasing | | | | preferably in a green setting, with their children. The |
| risk that there will always be a percentage of drug | | | | emphasis on bonding cannot be underestimated. Any |
| abuse. It is a fact of life and the increase in the | | | | good program will equip the parents and kids with |
| number of prescriptions for psychostimulant | | | | strategies for dealing with behavior issues, learning to |
| medications such as Ritalin and other drugs such as | | | | socialise, organise and develop friendships with peers |
| Concerta, only adds to the risk. | | | | and siblings. |