Ontario Adult Stimulant Prescriptions Surged Seven Times Faster Following COVID-19 Pandemic Onset Driven by Young Women

New research shows Ontario adult ADHD stimulant prescriptions rose 7.3x faster post-pandemic, with young women now leading new treatment initiations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 6:29 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D.

The Accelerated Trajectory of Stimulant Initiation

The landscape of pharmacological intervention for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder underwent a fundamental shift in the wake of the global health crisis, according to data from the Canadian Medical Association Journal. In Ontario, the rate at which adults began new stimulant regimens, including amphetamine salts and methylphenidate, accelerated to a pace 7.3 times faster than observed in the years preceding 2020. By June 2024, the monthly dispensation rate reached 0.44 new recipients per 1,000 adults, signaling a sustained and heightened demand for central nervous system agents. This rebound followed a brief initial dip during early lockdowns, eventually resulting in over 327,000 adults entering the provincial Narcotics Monitoring System as new stimulant users.

A Demographic Pivot Toward Young Female Patients

Historically, ADHD was viewed primarily through a pediatric and male-centric lens, but the pandemic era has effectively dismantled that clinical stereotype. The study highlights that women in their early 30s and young adults aged 18 to 24 became the primary drivers of the prescription surge, with female patients eventually outnumbering males across all age brackets by mid-2024. Among the youngest adult cohort, 1.31 per 1,000 women initiated stimulant treatment compared to just 0.97 per 1,000 men. This shift suggests a delayed recognition of neurodivergence in women, likely exacerbated by the unique cognitive and domestic stressors introduced during years of social isolation and remote work.

Evolving Roles in the Clinical Prescribing Landscape

As the demand for mental health support outpaced traditional psychiatric capacity, the profile of healthcare providers authorized to manage these cases evolved significantly. While the proportion of stimulants prescribed by psychiatrists saw a relative decline, nurse practitioners assumed a much larger role in diagnosing and treating ADHD during the pandemic. This decentralization of care facilitated quicker access to long-acting medications like lisdexamfetamine, but it also introduced complexities regarding diagnostic uniformity. According to the study authors, this transition in the provider landscape raises essential questions about whether current diagnostic practices remain consistent across different tiers of the healthcare system.