School of Medicine

Home > News and Publications > Press Release

News and Publications

Ritalin found safe, effective for treating ADHD symptoms in patients with cocaine dependence, WSU study shows

Dr. Howard Schubiner, Wayne State University professor of internal medicine, recently published a ground-breaking study the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology showing that Ritalin is safe and effective in treating patients who are addicted to cocaine and also suffer symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchers at WSU School of Medicine developed an intensive outpatient treatment program for adults with cocaine dependence and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. They randomly divided the individuals to receive either Ritalin (methylphenidate) or a placebo in addition to the individual and group counseling program. Twenty-four individuals were in each of the two groups.

Those taking Ritalin had fewer symptoms of ADHD than the control group did. There were no differences in the use of cocaine between the two groups nor were there any significant safety problems in either group.

”We have found that many adults with substance abuse and ADHD can be helped by treating the ADHD in addition to treating the substance abuse. However, no one has ever been able to perform a randomized, controlled study to look at this problem,” said Dr. Schubiner. “We were able to show that use of methylphenidate in this population was safe and it did help patients with the symptoms of ADHD.

“While those taking the methylphenidate did not have significantly better outcomes in terms of quitting cocaine use, neither did they have worse outcomes. Other studies need to be performed, but we can tentatively conclude that methylphenidate can be used in individuals with substance abuse and ADHD in conjunction with a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program.”

ADHD persists into adulthood in a majority of children who are diagnosed with this disorder. Studies have shown that ADHD is relatively common among adults who have drug and/or alcohol dependence, with between 10 percent and 35 percent of adults seeking treatment for substance abuse having been diagnosed with ADHD. This population appears to be particularly difficult to treat and relapse rates are very high.

This study attempted to treat co-existing ADHD among a group of patients dependent on cocaine. There has been speculation that the treatment of ADHD among patients with drug dependence might either aid in recovery or trigger excess drug use. This study found neither; however in comparison to the placebo group, the ADHD symptoms were improved in the group receiving active medication.

Dr. Schubiner, who works at Providence Hospital treating adolescents and adults who have ADHD, collaborated on this study with Drs. Chris-Ellyn Johanson, Karen Saules, Cynthia Arfken, Charles Schuster, and Nancy Lockhart, Ann Edwards, Judy Donlin, and Eric Pihlgren.

With more than 1,000 medical students, WSU is among the nation’s largest medical schools. Together with its clinical partner, the Wayne State University Physician Group, the school is a leader in patient care and medical research in a number of areas, including cancer, genetics, the neurosciences and women’s and children's health.