Report shows Adderall caused most positive tests for stimulants in MLB drug program

NEW YORK – While 113 big leaguers had exemptions in the past year to use otherwise banned substances to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Adderall caused eight of the 10 positive tests for stimulants under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

A report released Monday by MLB’s independent program administrator detailed the findings. The report showed that therapeutic use exemptions given to 40-man roster players to treat ADHD were down from the 119 in the year ending with the 2013 World Series.

Among the TUEs for ADHD, there were 11 for new players, down from 21 the previous year and the lowest total since 2008, a person familiar with the data told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those figures were not in the report.

MLB and the players’ association say the condition is more frequent in young adult males than among the general population.

One TUE also was granted for Hypogonadism, down from three.

MLB conducted 6,394 urine tests for PEDs and stimulants, up from 4,022 the previous year, and 1,535 blood tests for human growth hormone, up from 1,369. There has not been a positive HGH test since MLB began collecting blood samples in 2012.