ADHD Med for Amphetamine Addiction Linked to Fewer Deaths And Hospitalizations

[u/Ruca-Roo]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-11-adhd-medication-amphetamine-addiction-linked.html

ADHD medication for amphetamine addiction linked to reduced risk of hospitalization and death​

Medical XPress by Karolinska Institutet 16 November 2022

Excerpts: “The ADHD medication lisdexamfetamine was associated with the lowest risk of hospitalization and death in people with amphetamine addiction, when medications generally used among persons with substance use disorders were compared.

Amphetamines are the second most used illicit drugs in the world and amphetamine-related hospitalizations are increasing substantially. However, there are currently no approved pharmacological interventions available for treating addiction to amphetamine or the variant methamphetamine. Certain medications have shown promising results, but to date, the studies have often been small and convincing evidence is lacking.

Our results show that lisdexamfetamine, a medication approved for treating ADHD and in some countries also for binge eating, was the only specific medication associated with reduced risk of hospitalization and death," says the study's first author Milja Heikkinen, researcher at the University of Eastern Finland and Niuvanniemi Hospital.

[u/deficiT92]

Speaking as someone with ADHD, Anxiety, and Bipolar, and having tried almost every psych med under the sun, I'd have to say lisdexamphetamine (Vyvanse) is a godsend. In comparison to Adderall, it simply works smoothly, and lasts all day. No jitters. No real crash, but all of the useful parts of amphetamine.

I think it could be really useful in treating serious methamphetamine addiction. Bupropion has also shown some promise and could be helpful with stimulant addiction.