ADHD medications and substance-related health risks in youth
Official title: Examining the Effects of ADHD Medications on Substance-Related Morbidity and Mortality Among Young People
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11394601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how ADHD medicines affect substance use problems and related health issues in young people with ADHD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $746,186 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA062181-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth and young adults with ADHD, especially those enrolled in Medicaid or similar programs, and those who start or stop ADHD medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ADHD or those not considering pharmacotherapy may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
If you or your child has ADHD and is receiving treatment, this study will explore how different ADHD medicines relate to risks like substance use problems. Researchers will use real-world data from Medicaid populations to understand patterns of starting or stopping medications and how those patterns relate to substance-related health issues. The goal is to clarify which treatments are safer or riskier for youths and young adults, and to identify subgroups that may be more affected. The findings could help doctors tailor treatments to reduce substance-related harm for patients with ADHD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could guide safer, more effective ADHD treatment plans to lower substance-related health risks in youths.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has mixed results; this study aims to address gaps using broader, real-world data.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: D'onofrio, Brian M — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: D'onofrio, Brian M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.