ADHD has moved from a quiet diagnosis in childhood to a central topic in adult mental health. In 2025:

• more adults are being evaluated than ever,
• social media is shaping how people recognize (and sometimes mis-label) symptoms,
• and a multi-year stimulant shortage has made it difficult for some patients to access medications they rely on.

On top of that, telehealth rules for prescribing controlled substances continue to evolve, which can affect how patients start and continue treatment.

This article explains the key trends and how to pursue safe, responsible ADHD care in this environment.

The ADHD Medication Shortage Where Things Stand

ADHD stimulants like mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine remain in short supply in many regions.

Key facts:

• The FDA first listed a shortage of Adderall IR in October 2022 and has reported ongoing supply challenges.
• DEA production quota dynamics and manufacturing delays contributed to a billion-dose shortfall of produced stimulants in 2022 and 2023 in the US.
• A 2025 review described this as a global ADHD medication shortage entering its third year, pushing some patients toward unregulated markets where counterfeit pills, sometimes laced with fentanyl, are a serious risk.

For patients, this can mean:

• calls to multiple pharmacies,
• partial fills,
• last-minute changes between products or dosages,
• disruptions in work, school, or family life.

Telehealth Rules and ADHD Care in 2025

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, US regulators allowed controlled-substance prescribing via telehealth without an initial in-person visit. Those rules were set to change, but temporary extensions were granted while the DEA works on permanent regulations.

By late 2025:

• Telehealth prescribing of Schedule II-V substances (including stimulants) remains possible under specific conditions and extensions, but policies are under close review.
• Some clinics have shifted to hybrid models, combining initial in-person assessments with ongoing telehealth follow-up.

For patients, this means:

• telehealth remains an important access route, especially in areas with few specialists,
• but not all online ADHD services are created equal, quality of evaluation and follow-up matters more than the medium (video vs in-person).

Self-Diagnosis vs Structured Evaluation

Social media, especially TikTok, has normalized ADHD discussions, which has positive and negative effects:

• Positive: reduced stigma, more adults realizing their long-standing struggles might have a name.
• Negative: oversimplified symptom lists, “if you do X, you have ADHD”, and pressure to pursue medication without adequate evaluation.

A proper ADHD evaluation should include:

• a detailed personal and developmental history,
• assessment of functioning across work/school/home,
• screening for anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep disorders, substance use, and medical causes,
• where possible, collateral information (school history, partner/family observations).

Sometimes difficulty concentrating is more tied to anxiety, depression, burnout, endocrine issues, or sleep than to ADHD itself.

AllMedRx’s depression and endocrine blogs explore these overlaps in more depth.

Medication Is Only One Part of ADHD Treatment

Stimulant medication can be very effective for many people, but it is not a stand-alone solution.

Evidence-based ADHD care also includes:

• behavioral strategies,
• environmental adjustments (timers, task breakdown, routine building),
• sometimes therapy (CBT or ADHD-focused coaching),
• school or workplace accommodations where appropriate.

Medication decisions should ideally be:

• personalized (drug, dose, schedule),
• regularly monitored,
• revisited as life circumstances and stressors change.

Safety First – Avoiding Dangerous “Workarounds”

Given the shortage, some individuals may feel tempted to:

• borrow medications from friends or family,
• buy pills online or from social-media contacts,
• use non-prescribed stimulants to “test” if ADHD is present.

All of these behaviors carry significant risks:

• legal consequences,
• wrong dose or product,
• exposure to counterfeit or contaminated pills (including risk of fentanyl),
• masking other conditions that need different treatments.

Controlled substances should only be used under the guidance of a licensed prescriber and dispensed by legitimate pharmacies.

Where Compounding Does and Does Not Fit in ADHD Care

It’s crucial to be clear:

• Stimulant medications for ADHD are Schedule II controlled substances regulated tightly; these are rarely appropriate targets for standard 503A compounding, and not a “shortcut” around shortages.
• Compounding cannot and should not be used to sidestep regulations around controlled drugs.

However, compounding may have a role in adjunctive care:

• creating dye-free or alternative formulations for non-controlled medications that manage co-existing issues (e.g., certain antidepressants, sleep medications, GI meds),
• providing intermediate or custom strengths for those non-controlled medications when needed,
• supporting patients who have swallowing difficulties, GI sensitivities, or excipient allergies.

For any compounded medication, work only with vetted, licensed pharmacies:

How to Evaluate a Compounding Pharmacy in 2025

Practical Tips for Patients and Families in 2025

• Stay in dialogue with your prescriber. Don’t make changes on your own.
• Ask about alternatives within the stimulant class or about non-stimulant options if shortages or side effects persist.
• Plan ahead with refills; last-minute fills are harder in a constrained supply environment.
• Address co-existing conditions (anxiety, depression, sleep); treating these may improve attention and functioning as well.
• Be wary of “instant diagnosis” or prescription services that feel rushed or purely transactional.

Final Thoughts – ADHD Care Needs Calm, Not Panic

ADHD is real. So are stimulant shortages and telehealth uncertainties. Together, they can create a sense of urgency and panic, especially when symptoms affect work, school, and relationships.

The best protection against that panic is:

• a careful, honest evaluation,
• a trusted relationship with a prescriber,
• and a medication plan that prioritizes safety and flexibility over quick fixes.

AllMedRx’s role in this space is not to prescribe or diagnose, but to:

• support personalized, safe formulations when non-controlled medications need adjustment,
• collaborate with clinicians on excipient-sensitive and GI-sensitive patients,
• and reinforce the principle that mental health medications should always be handled with respect and care.

For clinicians or patients who have questions about personalized ADHD-adjacent medications (e.g., sleep, mood, GI support), you can reach us at:
intake@allmedrx.org