ADHD and the Adderall Shortage: How to Cope

In October 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a shortage in the supply of the ADHD medication Adderall. The FDA estimated that there might be availability in April 2023.

Unfortunately, this extreme shortage is no surprise to many clinicians specializing in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are several reasons that the shortage got to this point.

First, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) allows a certain amount of chemical to be given to pharmaceutical companies. The FDA has repeatedly notified the DEA that, in the case of Adderall, the amount of chemical they were allotting was insufficient to cover prescriptions.

In addition, there has been an increase in Adderall prescriptions since the pandemic. Part of this may be because being forced to work from home made impairment much more apparent, leading to more people seeking help for ADHD symptoms. A workplace often provides structure, and working from home, especially in stressful circumstances, can cause increased difficulties in executive function performance. Executive dysfunction is a key feature of ADHD.

Since the shortage, people with ADHD have reported increasing difficulties in day-to-day functioning due to rationing their medication, switching to a less helpful medication, or being forced to stop taking medication altogether. Some have received demotions or have even been fired due to ADHD symptoms impacting work performance. Others have found their home life and involvement in the community have suffered due to inadequate treatment for their symptoms.

What can people who take Adderall do to manage the shortage? Some suggestions are below.

Ask Your Prescriber for an Alternative

Being told to forgo medication during the shortage is not an acceptable answer for many. If your prescriber hasn't already offered an alternative medication to you, ask for it.

You have a right to have your medical condition treated. ADHD is just as much a medical condition as diabetes or asthma and requires treatment. People with ADHD take stimulant medication to function effectively and improve their quality of life, not for "performance" reasons.

Be aware that other stimulants besides Adderall may also be in shortage due to people with ADHD being switched to new stimulants. Also, be mindful that non-stimulants tend not to be as effective in treating ADHD in head-to-head studies (Roh & Kim, 2021; Stuhec et al., 2015; Yildiz et al., 2011), and may take longer than stimulants to start reducing symptoms.

Know Your Rights at the Pharmacy

Many pharmacies will decline to tell you if Adderall is in stock. You may have luck with trying a different pharmacy if your usual pharmacy tells you your medication is on "back order."

Look at the pharmacy's "bill of rights" to see if your rights are respected. If you are mistreated at a pharmacy, report it to their corporate headquarters. You deserve to be treated with respect regardless of your medication or medical condition.

Research Alternative Treatments Thoroughly

Some non-medication treatments have quickly tried to fill the Adderall shortage gap by aggressively marketing to people with ADHD. When considering alternative treatments, research the data thoroughly.

Stay away from any treatment that claims it can "cure" or "fix" ADHD. Also, be very cautious of treatments that cost a lot but don't have lasting effects. If anyone gives you a high-pressure sales pitch, walk away.

Studies have generally concluded that stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for ADHD. But according to data I gathered for my book Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies for Increasing Focus, Attention, and Motivation With or Without Medication (2015), non-medication treatments that have shown to be at least somewhat efficacious include cognitive-behavioral therapy, omega-3 supplements, exercise, accommodations, and mindfulness meditation. However, non-medication therapies may not be as effective at treating ADHD as stimulant medication.

Know That You Are Still a Person of Worth

Many people with ADHD are having difficulties functioning at home, school, work, and in social relationships due to the medication shortage. This has led to an increase in self-esteem issues and suicidal ideation in people with ADHD. Contact a licensed mental health professional that specializes in ADHD so you can process the stress and grief you may be experiencing. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, contact the 988 Lifeline by dialing 988.

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ADHD: An 18th-Century Condition in the 21st-Century World

Consider Accommodations For School and Work

Accommodations help "level the playing field" for people with ADHD. This means that you now have a better chance of working at the same level as your peers—you can work to your potential.

Accommodations are equalizers, not special treatment. Suppose you cannot take your medication, or the medication you switched to isn't as effective. In that case, accommodations may help ease the loss of functioning you are experiencing.

For college accommodations, see your university's Office for Student Disabilities (or similarly named department) site for requirements. If you are seeking workplace accommodations, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney who specializes in disability law to determine the benefits and drawbacks of disclosing your diagnosis to your employer.

Conclusion

While it is hoped that the shortage of Adderall and other stimulants will be resolved soon, in the meantime, you must take care of yourself to the best of your ability. While self-care can be even more complicated when your ADHD symptoms are in full effect, seek the guidance of a licensed mental health professional that specializes in ADHD so you can learn the options that are available to you. A mental health professional can also help you with self-advocacy at your physician's office, pharmacy, and work.