Hacking Your ADHD Research Recap: Discontinued Use of ADHD Meds
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Jan 30, 2026 
Skye Waterson, organizer and ADHD coach at Unconventional Organization, offers a research recap and practical takeaways. They highlight startling real-world medication discontinuation rates. Short segments examine causes like side effects, dosing and titration issues, stigma and pharmacy barriers. The conversation ends with pragmatic ideas to make refills, titration and clinician messaging more helpful.
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High Dropout Rates Within Years
- A majority of patients stop ADHD medication within 1–3 years, with only about 25% remaining on treatment.
- Over half failed to adhere or discontinued within two to three years, revealing a major real-world gap between prescription and sustained use.
Side Effects And Ineffective Control Dominate
- The two top reasons for stopping medication were adverse effects and insufficient symptom control.
- 30 of 41 studies cited side effects and 27 cited ineffective symptom control as main causes of discontinuation.
Titrate Or Switch Before Quitting
- Aim for proper dosing and careful titration to reduce side effects that drive early discontinuation.
- Consider switching medications or adjusting dose rather than stopping when side effects or poor response occur.