STAT+: As use of widely prescribed stimulants increases, experts see troubling parallels to opioid crisis
A new study found that the number of adults who used two widely prescribed stimulants nearly doubled in recent years, raising concerns about a potential wave of abuse since both medicines can be highly addictive.
Specifically, an estimated 4.1 million adults reported using amphetamines and methylphenidate in 2018, an increase of nearly 80% from 2013. Measured by total prescriptions, the use of amphetamines rose 119% during that time, while the use of methylphenidate grew about 39%, according to the study, which was published in BMJ Open.
