ADHD and Addiction
What is ADHD?
ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This condition can exist amongst both children and adults. Children with this condition tend to carry it into their older years. ADHD is usually identified by its symptoms, but studies have indicated that brain structure and function can also play a role in the existence of ADHD. For instance, children with severe ADHD tend to have smaller frontal lobes than usual.
Such a discovery is noteworthy, because frontal lobes typically play a role in controlling inhibition, concentration, motor activity and impulse control. If the frontal lobe is unable to perform such functions due to its size, this explains the symptoms of ADHD such as poor concentration, behavioural problems, hyperactivity and fidgeting. Research has revealed that people with ADHD may have inconsistencies in their neural pathways that cause them to experience issues with controlling behaviour, paying attention, or curbing impulses.
However, it’s important to note that not all situations of manifesting symptoms like impulsivity, inattention, or hyperactivity are indicators of ADHD. In fact, other medical conditions could give rise to these symptoms, such as psychological disorders and stressful life events, thus giving you the false impression that what you’re experiencing is a case of ADHD.
So, rather than merely assume, an accurate diagnosis should be sought to determine if ADHD is what is really affecting the individual in question. Such a diagnosis can be carried out by a mental health professional to ascertain whether a person does have ADHD and not one of the following:
- A learning disability or problems with writing, motor skills, reading, or language
- Suffering the after effects of a major traumatic experience or other life events
- Psychological disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression
- Behavioural disorders like oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder
- A medical condition such as thyroid problems, epilepsy, sleep disorders, or neurological conditions
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Spotting ADHD: Signs and symptoms of ADHD
ADHD in an adult can be identified by a variety of symptoms. These can be classified as inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. Some inattentive symptoms of ADHD can include:
- Careless mistakes and lack of attention to detail
- Problems with paying attention to tasks
- Problems staying focused when being spoken to directly
- Problems with following instructions, or fulfilling chores or other duties at home, school, or work
- Difficulty with keeping tasks and activities organised
- Avoiding tasks that involve prolonged mental efforts, such as preparing reports, reviewing lengthy papers, or completing forms
- Commonly misplaces items such as pens, tools, keys, wallets, paperwork and other small items
- Easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or activities
- Forgetful in accomplishing daily activities and errands
On the other hand, hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms can include:
- Fidgeting
- Restlessness or inability to stay still
- Inability to participate in quiet leisure activities
- Excessive talking
- Difficulty waiting their turn
What causes ADHD?
The actual causes of ADHD are yet to be identified, but a variety of factors are suspected to contribute to the development of the condition. Some can include:
- Hereditary factors – inheriting ADHD from a parent with the same genes
- There’s also the possibility that a child might have ADHD if their mother smokes or drinks alcohol whilst pregnant
- Children with traumatic brain injuries or epilepsy may also develop ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms
Scientists believe that ADHD can occur in individuals in whom the circuit for neurotransmitters (such as norepinephrine and dopamine) is not properly organised or ‘wired’. These neurotransmitters are meant to help maintain focus and control our impulses, but they will not be able to accomplish such tasks if there are issues with their circuitry.
The link between ADHD and addiction
Currently, there is still some argument concerning whether ADHD causes addiction or vice versa. However, it is established that the two can coexist. That is, a person with a substance use disorder such as addiction can have the condition exacerbated by a co-occurring disorder such as ADHD. Where a person has ADHD and is also an addict, it’s best if both conditions are treated at the same time. This is why it is ideal that addiction in such a scenario be treated at a rehab facility
that specialises in accommodating such co-occurring disorders. This way, both conditions can be effectively managed.
Why ADHD increases the odds of addiction and alcoholism
Recent studies indicate that there might be a clear relationship between ADHD and developing an addiction. Some of the studies showed that in comparison to people without ADHD, children with ADHD are at a higher risk of becoming alcohol dependent or dependent on other types of addictive substances during their adult lives. This assumption is supported by the following statistics:
- Children with ADHD are more likely to abuse alcohol while in their teens
- ADHD is 5-10 times more common in adults with an alcohol use disorder
- Among adults being treated for alcohol or some other form of substance abuse, 25% of them have ADHD
The above statistics then raise the question of why people with ADHD are more predisposed to substance abuse. The answer may lie in the reduced impulse control and behavioural problems that are evident in people with ADHD. For instance, a teenager that has ADHD (and thus behavioural problems) could avoid school. This could lead to being exposed to social situations or peers that involve drug use. Complicated with such an individual’s poor impulse control, they could find themselves caving in to pressure to also use drugs.
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Does ADHD medication lead to addiction?
There’s no doubt that if abused, ADHD medication can lead to addiction. Medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of ADHD includes:
- Ritalin (a central nervous system stimulant)
- Adderall (an amphetamine/stimulant)
Most young people abuse Adderall and Ritalin because they believe this medication is capable of improving their concentration and academic performance. However, for individuals who already have ADHD (and subsequently a predisposed nature to develop an addiction), the risk of developing an addiction whilst taking Ritalin or Adderall is very clear.
Addiction for such individuals may not be borne of the addictive nature of the drug, but simply the individual’s higher likelihood of developing an addiction, due to complications caused by having ADHD. However, if someone who has ADHD uses Ritalin and Adderall according to prescription, they have less chance of actually developing an addiction.
ADHD and opioid addiction
People with ADHD are disproportionately represented among the number of people who visit hospitals in the US for opioid abuse related incidents. This is no mere coincidence, as we’ve already established that ADHD significantly contributes to the risk of developing an addiction (including an addiction to opioids).
When people with ADHD partake in addictive substances, they are more likely to become addicted. Even though there’s no clear explanation as to why this is so, it is nonetheless true. It’s believed a number of complex factors interplay to cause this; by addressing each factor individually, it may be possible to reduce the risk of opioid addiction for a person with ADHD.
Also, keep in mind that the symptoms of opioid abuse and ADHD can conceal one another. If left undiscovered or untreated, one could assume the symptoms of opioid addiction are those of adult ADHD. However, adult ADHD and opioid addiction are both treatable, as long as the condition(s) are properly diagnosed and on time.
ADHD and alcoholism
ADHD patients tend to have trouble forming lasting meaningful relationships. This leads to isolation and a lack of strong social support, which could lead to depression or anxiety. Depression, isolation and anxiety are known to have a significant correlation to an increased risk of substance abuse.
One theory is that ADHD causes patients to suffer a stunted dopamine response, which leads to a reduced ability to feel normal pleasure. ADHD patients in such circumstances may rely on alcohol to help change this and attain normal pleasure levels. However, alcohol only produces temporary symptoms of satisfaction or betterment, and will in the long run exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD and marijuana
Marijuana is a quite a popular substance of abuse amongst young adults; since ADHD is a childhood disorder, it’s understandable that there is crossover between the two. It is believed individuals with ADHD are drawn to using marijuana due to their proclivity towards behavioural issues and impulsive acts. It could also be due to genetic reasons, with substance abuse and ADHD possibly being hereditary. Environmental factors may also play a role.
Adolescents with ADHD may react to stressful situations differently by seeking out marijuana to calm their restlessness or other ADHD symptoms. This is likely because of how marijuana increases pleasure by influencing receptors in the brain similar to how ADHD medication works. Marijuana could be used by ADHD patients to self-medicate and minimise anxiety caused by the disorder.
ADHD and other illicit drugs
Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis products are the most common illicit substances abused by individuals with ADHD. However, there are other illicit drugs with sedating and calming effects that ADHD patients abuse, such as opiates, narcotics (e.g. heroin), stimulants and hallucinogenic substances. People with ADHD who abuse more than one illicit drug at a time tend to develop a complicated addiction that is more difficult to treat.
Abuse of ADHD prescription medication
Many people abuse ADHD medication for a variety of reasons, such as to improve their concentration while studying, or to reduce the effects of alcohol while partying. What such individuals fail to realise is that abusing ADHD medication such as Adderall and Ritalin can lead to a variety of health problems.
Students are one of the primary abusers of ADHD medication. However, they often don’t consider the adverse effects of misusing this sort of prescription medication. Said adverse side effects include:
- Serious cardiovascular incidences, such as a possible stroke
- Malnutrition
- Hostility
- Decreased learning ability
- Paranoia
Helping a family member with ADHD and addiction issues
ADHD combined with substance addiction can be quite complicated to deal with. Fortunately, rehabilitation centres with the expertise to deal with addiction alongside co-occurring disorders like ADHD are available. However, not all people with an addiction are willing to get professional help, which leaves you with the burden of trying to convince a loved one or family member to seek professional help for their addiction.
If a loved one with ADHD (who you’re trying to convince to get help with addiction) fails to listen, it’s important to not give up on them until they see reason. Where your attempts to get an addicted family member proves futile, you can pursue the alternative of arranging for an intervention. Interventions have proven to be effective over the years, especially when arranged by a specialist with practical experience in such matters. Most methods of intervention used by substance abuse treatment professionals can also be employed to help addicts with co-occurring disorders.
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Treatment strategies for co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorders
Treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders is most effective if both problems are treated at the same time. By addressing them simultaneously, the chances of one lingering after the other has been cured (and subsequently causing a relapse) is greatly minimised.
The most common form of treatment for ADHD is medication. With the proper application, medication can positively impact the symptoms of co-occurring ADHD alongside those of a substance use disorder. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications are often the preferred and most effective form of medication. Examples include:
Non-stimulant medications: Certain non-stimulant medications are useful for treating ADHD, especially considering that stimulant medications have a higher abuse potential.
An example of non-stimulant medication is Atomoxetine which is a selective norepinephrine. It is a reuptake inhibitor that effectively treats ADHD in a manner similar to what a stimulant medication can accomplish. However, unlike stimulants, the effect of Atomoxetine is more gradual.
Tricyclic antidepressants are another viable non-stimulant medication for treating ADHD. It’s worth mentioning that this drug is generally considered to be less effective than most stimulant ADHD medications.
Stimulant medications: The most commonly used stimulants for treating ADHD are amphetamine medications and Ritalin (methylphenidate).
Amphetamine medications function by activating the pathway of the reward system of the brain by triggering the release of dopamine. This will increase dopamine levels in the brains of those suffering from ADHD and help alleviate their drug cravings.
The use of Ritalin (methylphenidate) has also proven to be effective in reducing ADHD symptoms and substance use disorders if used in tandem with relapse prevention therapy. A particular benefit of this drug is its low risk of abuse when used under proper medical supervision, especially in comparison to other stimulant medication.
For several decades, Ritalin has been the preferred medication for treating ADHD in both children and adults. This drug has proven effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD, as well as cocaine use disorder symptoms.
However, there are certain challenges in using medication to treat substance abuse and a co-occurring disorder such as ADHD. Said challenges include:
- Patients not using medications according to prescription
- Patients eventually needing higher doses for the medication to remain effective
- The presence of other substances in the system of a patient can counteract the effects of ADHD medication
Simply put, treating individuals that are actively engaging in substance abuse with medication is more difficult, regardless of whether they have a co-occurring disorder or not.
How to recover from ADHD-related addiction in rehab
As part of the rehab process for ADHD-related addiction, patients will learn how ADHD affects them, as well as how drugs and alcohol complicate the condition. Such an approach will provide the patient with an insight of how their ADHD is contributing to their addiction and vice versa. Through group and individual therapy, new skills to cope with the secondary and primary symptoms of ADHD will be provided. These will help the patient effectively manage their symptoms in future, without relying on alcohol or other addictive substances.
FAQs
What is adult ADHD?
ADHD doesn’t necessarily disappear once a person becomes an adult. For certain individuals, symptoms of ADHD don’t actually manifest until adulthood. For many such individuals, ADHD often goes undiagnosed.
Symptoms of ADHD in an adult can include forgetting to keep appointments, return calls, pay bills, or avoiding paperwork. Also, restlessness, being fidgety, and frequently interrupting or cutting in front of others are common signs of ADHD in adults.
How does ADHD affect your life?
Whether you are an adult or child, ADHD can affect your life in the following ways:
- Careless mistakes and lack of attention to detail
- Problems with paying attention to tasks
- Problems staying focused when being spoken to directly
- Problems with following instructions, or fulfilling chores or other duties at home, school, or work
- Difficulty with keeping tasks and activities organised
- Avoiding tasks that involve prolonged mental efforts such as preparing reports, reviewing lengthy papers, or completing forms
- Commonly misplacing items such as pens, tools, keys, wallets, paperwork and other small items
- Being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or activities
- Being forgetful in accomplishing daily activities and errands
- Inability to participate in quiet leisure activities
- Excessive talking
What is addiction?
Addiction can be defined as requiring a frequent dose of a specific substance in order to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms. This condition is characterised by physical, social and emotional changes that drive you to compulsively seek the substance of abuse.
Are drug abuse and alcoholism more common amongst people with ADHD?
Studies indicate that there is a relationship between ADHD and developing an addiction. Some studies have shown that in comparison to people without ADHD, children with ADHD are at a higher risk of becoming alcohol dependent or dependent on other types of addictive substances during their adult lives.
Are stimulant drugs for ADHD addictive?
Yes, they are. Stimulants such as Ritalin and amphetamines are addictive if not used according to prescription.
How are alcoholism and drug abuse treated in people with ADHD?
Treatment for Alcoholism and ADHD are most effective if the disorders are treated at the same time. By addressing them simultaneously, the chances of one lingering after the other has been cured (and subsequently causing a relapse) is greatly minimised.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.