ADHD Medications Linked to Lower Risk of Crime, Addiction, and Accidents

Quick Summary

• A study of 150,000 peopel with ADHD in Sweden found that using medication to manage the condition reduces risks associated with criminal behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, accidental injuries, and road accidents.
• Key findings include:

– ADHD medication reduced the risk of criminal convictions and substance issues by 25%.
– A 16% lower risk of involvement in a road accident was observed among medicated individuals.
– The risk of suicide attempts dropped by 15%, while accidental injury risks fell by 4%.

• The analysis used an approach called “target trial emulation,” which treats observational data as if it came from randomized trials, addressing reliability concerns in earlier studies.
• Experts suggest parents and policymakers should consider both immediate symptom management and long-term benefits when opting for treatment.

Image Caption: Symptoms of ADHD can be managed with medicines alongside talking therapies. (Image Credit: Alex Di Stasi/Shutterstock)