Q: “My Teen Wants to Come Off ADHD Meds to Enlist in the Military.”
Q: “My son, who has ADHD, is in high school and about to start his junior year. He is eager to enlist in the military after high school, and he wants to stop taking his ADHD medication as soon as possible to meet military entrance requirements.
But medication, I think, is very important to help him finish high school. What should we do?”If your son is adamant about stopping ADHD medication to attempt to join the military right out of high school, then he (and you) needs to talk to his medical provider(s) and teachers to understand how to come off medication, monitor any adverse effects, and replace the treatment, if possible, with other supports and strategies.
His doctor may recommend a plan for gradually titrating off medication, though that depends on your child’s circumstances.In general, it’s not a good idea to abruptly stop medication, especially if it’s helping your child.
Read more on additudemag.com
