ADD and ADHD

We have probably all heard the terms and we probably all know a little bit about the behaviors associated with these titles. Here is what you might not know:

Ritalin, commonly used to treat ADHD, is a methylphenidate. Methylphenidate possesses structural and pharmacological similarities to cocaine, though methylphenidate is less potent and longer in duration. Adderall, commonly used to treat ADHD, is an amphetamine legal for use only in the United States and Canada. Amphetamines are also used recreationally and as a performance enhancer. Recreational users of amphetamine have coined numerous street names, such as "speed."

Since these drugs are considered to be potential drugs of abuse under the Controlled Substances Act, the DEA sets quotas regulating the amount of the drugs that may be produced each year to meet the demands for legitimate use, in order to ensure that there is not a surplus of production which could lead to drug diversion and illegal use.

Adderall is a Schedule 2 drug under the Controlled Substances Act of the United States. Other drugs that fall into the Schedule 2 category are methadone, morphine, opium and cocaine.

The Drug Enforcement Agency's "Drugs of Concern" bulletin lists Ritalin alongside cocaine, LSD and ecstasy.

Currently, 15 percent of our nation's children are on psychotropic substances. Adderall is the primary amphetamine on the market now. According to IMS America, which studies drug use, 11 million prescriptions were written for amphetamine products in the U.S. in 2004; more than 7 million were for Adderall.

This is what you need to know:

A study published in 1975 (Walton EV: "The effects of chiropractic treatment on students with learning and behavioral impairments due to neurological dysfunction." International Review of Chiropractic 1975;29:4-5:24-26.), compared chiropractic care with drug treatment in children with learning and behavioral impairments due to neurological dysfunction. It was reported that chiropractic care "was more effective for the wide range of symptoms common in the neurological dysfunction syndrome in which thirteen symptom or problem areas were considered." The author also reported that chiropractic care was 24 percent more effective than commonly used medications.

If placing your child on medications that fall into the same category as speed, LSD, ecstasy, morphine and cocaine does not sound appealing; why not try the method that prescribes none of the above? Chiropractic care is a safe and non-invasive alternative to problems with ADD and ADHD.

If you would like to learn more about how chiropractic can help with ADD and ADHD, give us a call at (208) 667-7434, or visit us on the Web at CDAhealth.com.