LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) \u2014 A growing number of families across metro Detroit are facing an unexpected challenge: a nationwide shortage of ADHD medication. From children struggling in school to adults just trying to manager daily life tasks, the impact of this shortage is widespread.<\/p>\n
Watch Peter’s report in the video player below<\/b><\/p>\n
Looking at what’s behind the ADHD medication shortage affecting metro Detroit families<\/p>\n
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“Out of nowhere, it was like my medication got cut off,” said Abigail Lozon.<\/p>\n
Across metro Detroit, pharmacies are struggling to keep ADHD medication like Adderall in stock, and for many like Abigail Lozon in Taylor, this isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a disruption to daily life.<\/p>\n
“When I couldn’t take the medication, every symptom was just so much worse,” Abigail said.<\/p>\n
These symptoms include depression, difficulty focusing and procrastination. Abigail’s mother, Michelle, has been trying everything she can to help her daughter.<\/p>\n
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“It was frustrating, I was calling all over the state, I was calling Ohio, I was calling everywhere around.<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the shortage began in the fall of 2022 due to manufacturing delays and increased demand.<\/p>\n
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“We just can’t simply keep up,” said Rudy Najm.<\/p>\n
Najm is a pharmacist at iPharmacy in Livonia, and told me there’s a combination of delays in manufacturing and supply chain issues, on top of the increase in demand.<\/p>\n
“We rely on other countries to make the drugs, so there’s a manufacturing problem,” Najm said. “There’s also a quota from various regulatory agencies.”<\/p>\n
And as a pharmacist, Rudy understands the pain and frustrations that customers are facing.<\/p>\n
“We will work with the providers and the families to find an alternative solution to avoid the interruption in treatment,” Najm said.<\/p>\n
I sat down with ADHD therapist Justin Gillespie to see how he’s helping his clients navigate the ADHD medication shortage.<\/p>\n
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“We’re doing a lot of skill building in therapy right now and get individuals access to more medication,” Gillespie said.<\/p>\n
These skill-building exercises, Justin said, are helping those he treats navigate the challenges of ADHD without their usual medication.<\/p>\n
“We’re doing a lot with impulse control with a lot of our clients right now, both with the adults and the children getting ready to go back to school, and adults continuing on with work,” the therapist said.<\/p>\n
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Dr. Lasiona Barlow is a clinical psychologist at DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital. She told me the adderall shortage is real.<\/p>\n
“There is a major shortage for those types of stimulant medications, but there’s definitely alternatives for it,” Dr. Barlow said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Barlow went on to say that they might not be a quick fix right now, but they’re working on holistic approaches.<\/p>\n
“It’s not medication, it’s not going to chemically change anything in the body, but it is simply training the brain to be more regulated,” Dr. Barlow said.<\/p>\n
Experts like Dr. Barlow and Gillespie recommend that patients consult with their healthcare provider. Meanwhile, Abigail is working to navigate life without her medication.<\/p>\n
“I’m doing better now. I got the help I needed, but I wish it didn’t have to be that way,” Abigail said.<\/p>\n