This is a debate that has been raging for years - does the use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin, increase the likelihood of later drug use?

If you read the material from the Church of Scientology, and their friends, the answer will be "absolutely - yes!" But if you read material from researchers and psychologists, the answer will be "probably not."

Our experience has been that, no, the use of stimulant medication such as Ritalin does not increase the chances of a child becoming a teenager who will abuse drugs.

But here's a real life story to illustrate how opinions are often formed on the question. It begins with my being in a classroom at Cal State Bakersfield where I was giving a lecture on ADHD to a class of future educators.

Below is a copy of our ADHD diet eating program for ADD ADHD kids. It is not a very strict program, like the Feingold diet, unless you are used to having most meals at your local fast food restaurant.

This program is recommended for every member of the family. It's not just an "ADD diet". It's the same program that we put professional athletes and business executives on for optimized performance, with only minor changes.

We have found that it really helps about 20% to 25% of the ADHD kids that try it.

The most common feedback that we get from parents is, "Well, it helped my kid somewhat, but I really feel great!"

Results fall into a "Bell Curve." A few do great, a few are completely unaffected, and most do somewhat better but it is not enough as a stand-alone intervention.

Please have realistic expectations. But please try it. It just may be a big help to your family.

Press Release: June 4, 2007

NIMH recently approved funding to test the effectiveness of an early intervention in children at high risk for developing bipolar disorder. Though early in the research process, the long-term goal of this study is to reduce or delay the development of bipolar disorder in at-risk youth, heading off the effects of the disorder before it disrupts healthy development and functioning.

Family-focused therapy (FFT) involves teaching patients and their families about bipolar disorder and disease management, improving communication skills, and developing problem-solving skills. Past research has shown that FFT, when used with medication treatment, can help prevent recurrences and reduce symptoms in adults and teenagers diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The recently approved study aims to develop FFT for children, ages 9-17, at high risk for developing bipolar disorder. High risk indicates children who have some symptoms of bipolar disorder, but do not show all the symptoms required for a formal diagnosis, and have an immediate family member with bipolar disorder. Twelve children will participate in this phase of the study.