Roughly 15.5 million U.S. adults have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more than 71% of them reported difficulty obtaining their ADHD medication during October–November 2023 because it was in short supply, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADHD symptoms typically begin in childhood, however, 55% of those with the condition said they had been diagnosed as adults. Approximately one-third of adults reported taking prescription stimulant ADHD medication during the previous 12 months (33.4%), and few used nonstimulant ADHD medication (5.9%). A nationwide shortage of ADHD medications was declared in 2022 by Food and Drug Administration, and while the situation is improving, widespread shortages continue.
Seeking risky, outside sources: The report emphasizes the importance of ensuring an adequate supply of ADHD medication to avoid potentially risky behaviors. “Patients experiencing these difficulties might seek medication outside the regulated health care system, increasing their risk for overdose because of the prevalence of counterfeit pills in the illegal drug market, which might contain unexpected substances such as fentanyl,” the agency says.