Recreational use of prescription stimulants at new peak, research finds
Dr Rachel Sutherland (PhD) says an increase in scripts for ADHD has probably increased recreational use of the drugs.
People who use illicit stimulants are increasingly turning to diverted ADHD drugs, a national survey suggests.
Some 54% of people who regularly used ecstasy or similar drugs reported use of pharmaceutical stimulants that were not prescribed to them over the previous six months, according to the latest Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System findings.
This compared with just 17% in 2007, when the question was first asked.
Most respondents who used the drugs said they used dexamfetamine (82%), followed by methylphenidate (32%), lisdexamfetamine (22%) and lastly the sleep disorder drug modafinil (9%).
