Feeds
Send to a Friend
Print this Page

ADHD Medical Exception Information

ADHD MEDICAL EXCEPTION LETTER TO ALL STUDENT ATHLETES

TO:  All Student Athletes

FROM:  Jack Foley, Director of Sports Medicine

SUBJECT: Banned Stimulant Medication Reporting Guidelines for Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Effective August 2009, there will be a stricter application of the NCAA Medical Exception policy regarding the use of banned stimulant medications Adderal and Ritalin, to treat Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

This stricter application will require documentation that demonstrates that the student athlete has undergone a clinical assessment to diagnose ADHD, is being monitored routinely for use of the stimulant medication, and has a current prescription on file.  This documentation is REQUIRED in order to be approved for a medical exception to the banned drug policy.

The NCAA and Lehigh University fully recognize that some medications contain a banned substance and that student athletes may, in fact, need to use these medications to support their academics and their general health.  However, we also recognize banned classes of drugs can be harmful to student athletes and create an unfair advantage in competition.

The NCAA has a procedure to review and approve legitimate use of medications that contain NCAA banned substances called the “Medical Exceptions Procedure.”  There is a committee that has the responsibility to oversee the banned drug list (posted in each athletic training facility) and to review all medical exception requests.  Physicians on the committee determine whether the use of a banned medication is warranted, and weigh the medical need versus the potential for abuse and for unfair performance enhancement.  This review protects not only the health and safety of the student athlete, but the institution as well.  Historically, the most common request to grant medical exceptions in the past has been cases of ADHD. 

It is with the above concern for your health and safety as a student athlete that I am informing each of you about the new policy and the documentation necessary in the event of a NCAA drug test.  Please remember, a drug test can be administered at any time during the year.  I have reviewed the NCAA committee criteria and have created a simple form that will allow the prescribing physician to provide the necessary information in an easy and logical fashion.

If you are taking medication for ADHD, please consider the following:

  1. Download the ADHD Medical Exception Form from our website.  This form can be found on our main Sports Medicine homepage on www.lehighsports.com.  The direct link is /assets/sportsmed/adhdform.doc .
  2. Over the summer visit with your physician (which should be routine anyway before coming back to school) and have your doctor complete this form.
  3. Have the form returned to our office in as soon as you can.  Forms should be sent/brought to me, Jack Foley in Sports Medicine at Taylor Gym.
  4. Please consider visiting with an athletic trainer to discuss or assist the process/document previous to departing for summer.  This documentation will be strictly confidential (per HIPPA regulations) and will be used only if there is a NCAA random drug test and we need to support your medical exception.

Thank you and have a healthy summer!