Understanding ADHD Stimulant Use and Teen Substance Outcomes
Official title: Leveraging Longitudinal Data to Examine ADHD Stimulant Treatment Patterns and Substance Use Outcomes in Adolescents
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11448655 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study following adolescents with ADHD to see how different patterns of stimulant treatment relate to later substance use risks and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $279,294 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA064690-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448655 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young people with ADHD who were or are treated with prescription stimulants and have data available across adolescence.
✕Less likely to help
Teens without ADHD or those not on stimulant treatment will likely not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project uses the ABCD study data to explore how being on ADHD stimulant medications continuously, intermittently, or stopping them affects risky substance use in teens. It will analyze yearly data to identify patterns and potential links to later substance use disorders. Researchers will consider factors like age, gender, comorbid mental health conditions, and other influences to understand who might be most affected. The goal is to inform safer prescribing and follow-up strategies for youths with ADHD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide clinicians and families toward stimulant use patterns that minimize future substance-related risks.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown ADHD treatment can influence behavioral outcomes, but the relationship with long-term substance use patterns needs further clarification.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryan, Jennie — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Ryan, Jennie
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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.