A history of substance abuse often precludes a young patient with ADHD from receiving a prescription for stimulant medication. When a young person with ADHD received an SUD diagnosis, they were significantly less likely to be prescribed ADHD medication, the study found. Most strikingly, ADHD treatment was associated with an approximately 30% lower risk of death over five years. For some, ADHD medication may also reduce the urge to self-medicate. When Drug Testing Is RoutineSome ADDitude readers have told us that they were required to submit to regular drug testing as a condition of continuing to receive their ADHD stimulant medication prescription.