More Than Managing Symptoms
A recent study has shown that those who suffer from ADHD who are taking medications have a lower chance of having serious issues like alcohol or drug abuse, suicidal ideas or attempts, traffic accidents as well as involvement in criminal activity.The study, which was presented in British Medical Journal (BMJ), examined the information of more than 148,000 individuals living in Sweden suffering from ADHD which ranged from infants from the age of six up to those in their 60s.
When researchers compared those on medication with those who weren’t, the results were striking:
Suicide attempts dropped by around 15%
Substance misuse fell by 25%
Transport accidents reduced by 16%
Criminal behavior decreased by 25%
Even first-time incidents of these problems were significantly lower among people who took their medication.
Why Might This Happen?
ADHD often makes people more impulsive and easily distracted. That combination can lead to risky behaviors—whether that’s experimenting with drugs, driving without full attention, or reacting aggressively in stressful situations.
According to Professor Samuele Cortese, a child and adolescent psychiatry expert at the University of Southampton and one of the study’s authors, medication may help reduce those risks by improving focus and self-control.
“Often, people don’t realize how risky untreated ADHD can be,” he explained. “Now we have strong evidence that medication can make a real difference.”
ADHD Isn’t Becoming More Common—But Diagnoses Are
Around 5% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide are thought to have ADHD. While more people are seeking assessments and diagnoses, experts say the condition itself isn’t on the rise—it’s just being recognized more often.
That recognition is important, but it also creates challenges. In the UK, for example, people can wait years for an official diagnosis and access to treatment. Shortages of certain medications have also made things harder.
A Wider Impact
Other experts have welcomed the study’s findings. Professor Stuart Kinner, from Curtin University in Australia, highlighted how untreated ADHD can lead to bigger problems down the road, including poor mental health, self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, and even time in prison.
“Too many people with ADHD slip through the cracks and end up in the justice system without ever being diagnosed or treated,” he said.
Professor Ian Maidment, a clinical pharmacy expert from Aston University, added that the research strengthens our understanding of ADHD medication, though it didn’t track how consistently patients took their prescriptions or the effect of different doses.
The Bigger Picture
ADHD medication has its downsides—like sleep issues, reduced appetite, or headaches—but this new research suggests the benefits may go far beyond helping with focus. For many people, it could mean living a safer, healthier, and more stable life.
As the conversation around ADHD continues to grow, studies like this highlight an important truth: treatment isn’t just about getting through the day. It could also protect people from some of the toughest challenges life can throw at them.
Source: BBC News – ADHD drugs have wider life benefits, study suggests