I’m sorry to hear of your family member’s terrible experiences. I certainly have heard patients talk about pharmacists who don’t understand ADHD, and who mistake symptoms of ADHD as evidence that the person is abusing stimulants. I have also seen periodic problems with stimulant medication shortages, some do to manufacturing problems, but compounded by DEA regulations that determine how much controlled medication each pharmacy can have each month.

I’m glad that you are willing to speak up about these problems, because I think that only after enough people complain loudly enough will the systems change.

Many people with ADHD do obtain significant help with cognitive-behavioral approaches, or non-stimulant medications, but to deprive people of stimulants because of ignorance and bureaucratic problems is unforgivable.