'I was playing Russian roulette with life': Warning over ADHD self-medication amid shortage of drugs

GPs have warned they are increasingly concerned about people self-medicating their ADHD amid an ongoing global shortage of drugs used to help manage symptoms.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) says many are taking matters into their own hands - sometimes acting out of frustration and anger.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the group, told Sky News she understands people are desperate.

But she warned that self-medicating can make their problems worse, and advised people to contact their GPs for help.

The issue comes during a global shortage of ADHD medication caused by manufacturing issues, supply chain problems and an increase in demand.

'It's like you put the bottle to your head and pull the trigger'

Kevin Pearson was diagnosed with ADHD 15 years ago and was put on Ritalin.

The 60-year-old from Leeds said the drug changed his life and helped him manage his symptoms of restlessness, inattentiveness, and anxiety, helping him hold down a job and a relationship for the first time.

But over the last few months, he's been unable to get the medication and turned to alcohol instead.

He told Sky News: "I was self-medicating. I was getting up and drinking.

"It's like you put the bottle to your head and pull the trigger.

"I knew that the alcohol was definitely a form of suicide. And I was playing Russian roulette with life."

'It has a massive impact on my life'

Shelley Frieze, mum of 14-year-old Isaac, said she's facing a constant battle to get hold of his ADHD medication - and it has impacted his schoolwork.

"It's a nightmare. I mean this is people's livelihoods... you know ADHD is a medical illness, it's like telling somebody to cope with having a migraine or cope with an illness without having your medication," she said.

Isaac said: "It definitely has a massive impact on me and my life. People take it the wrong way.

"If I'm fidgeting or turning around in class, sometimes the teacher will tell me off or I'll have a comedown. But sometimes I'm just not able to control it."

The global shortage of vital medicines has been a problem for many months, and pharmacists warn it's just getting worse.

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Medicine shortage getting worse

The global shortage of vital medicines has been a problem for many months, and pharmacists warn it's just getting worse.

Ashley Cohen runs a chain of pharmacies in West Yorkshire.

He said the issue is now so acute he has a member of staff solely dedicated to tracking down the drugs and wants the government to step up and help solve the problem with a drugs czar.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients and the pharmacists and clinicians caring for them.

"The government inherited a broken NHS alongside global supply problems that continue to impact the availability of medicines, and we are working closely with industry, the NHS, manufacturers and other partners in the supply chain to resolve current issues as quickly as possible"

But Kevin has decided he can no longer wait.

He's stopped drinking alcohol and is now on anti-depressants as having to travel miles visiting multiple pharmacies was too unpredictable and disorienting, leaving him learning to live without the medication that made his health and well-being so much better.

(c) Sky News 2024: 'I was playing Russian roulette with life': Warning over ADHD self-medication amid shortage