ADHD & Addiction: Signs, and Treatment

Living with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can increase the risk of developing an addiction. This is because both conditions often share overlapping challenges.

When ADHD and substance use disorders occur together, it can complicate diagnosis, treatment and recovery. So, professional support is especially important. This article explores the signs of ADHD and addiction and offers a free ADHD planner to support daily structure and long term wellness.

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ADHD and Addiction Overview

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders. It is characterized by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity that typically begins in childhood, harming social, academic or occupational functioning.

Researchers have found that individuals with ADHD face an increased risk of developing an addiction. While the connection between the two disorders is not clear, misusing substances is often an attempt to self medicate, helping to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.

Living with both addiction and ADHD can be extremely difficult. The challenges of restlessness, difficulty focusing and staying organized, impulsivity and racing thoughts are compounded by guilt, shame and chaos that come from living with an addiction.

A daily planner can help structure your day when you’re struggling with ADHD and addiction.

Download your free ADHD & Addiction Recovery Daily Planner today to stay organized, manage your time and set goals that support your sobriety. 

What is ADHD? Symptoms, Types and Signs in Adults

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. Although some people seem to “outgrow” ADHD, many adults continue to face the challenges that living with ADHD brings. ADHD can be characterized by symptoms that are presented as predominantly inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or a combination of both.

ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms often involve persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness that interfere with your daily functioning. You may find it difficult to stay organized, complete tasks or manage time effectively.

Together this can make focusing on responsibilities a challenge. These symptoms can affect school, work and relationships. This often creates added stress that makes it harder to maintain balance and healthy routines.

Types of ADHD

There are three categories or types of ADHD. The first is predominantly inattentive ADHD, also called “quiet ADHD.” People with this type of ADHD have difficulty focusing, organizing and finishing tasks.

The symptoms make it appear as if you are forgetful, disorganized or flighty. You appear as if you’re daydreaming, often lose things or have trouble being on time.

While most of us have experienced these from time to time, living with inattentive ADHD means you experience these daily. Since the symptoms are not as obvious as other types of ADHD, adults may not receive the right diagnosis.

The second type of ADHD is predominantly hyperactive/impulsive. You tend to have more visible symptoms, such as restlessness and impulsive behavior.

This may present as difficulty sitting still, talking too much or interrupting others, fidgeting, impatience and acting without thinking. This type of ADHD is typically found in childhood but can continue through adulthood.

Combined type ADHD includes inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. It is the most common type of ADHD and can be diagnosed in children and adults.

This form of ADHD often requires comprehensive treatment strategies. These strategies address a wide range of symptoms impacting your focus, behavior and daily life.

Signs of Undiagnosed ADHD in Adults

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that continues into adulthood for many people, though it often goes unrecognized.

When ADHD is undiagnosed, its symptoms can be mistaken for stress, lack of discipline or personality quirks rather than a medical condition. These patterns may feel overwhelming and frustrating, particularly when they affect daily life.

Signs of ADHD in adults can include:

• Frequent forgetfulness
• Misplacing important items
• Struggling to remember deadlines and commitments
• Disorganization, making it difficult to manage responsibilities
• Impulsive decisions leading to financial strain, relationship issues or job instability

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ADHD and Addiction Statistics You Should Know

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that in 2022-2023, approximately 6% of adults and 11.4% of children, aged 3-17, had a diagnosis of ADHD. In addition to making daily life more difficult, people with ADHD also face an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder.

Research indicates that children with ADHD are two to three times more likely to abuse substances. Approximately 43% of young people with ADHD misuse alcohol.

There is a complicated relationship between ADHD and substance use disorders, although it is apparent that ADHD does significantly increase your risk of developing an addiction.

Why Do ADHD and Addiction Co-Occur?

Several factors contribute to a person with ADHD developing an addiction. These include brain chemistry, genetics, thrill seeking behavior, addictive personality traits and self medication.

The Role of Brain Chemistry & Dopamine Deficits

People with ADHD appear to have trouble regulating their levels of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that drives the brain’s reward pathways. It is involved in motivation, reward, attention, emotional regulation and supports optimal executive functioning.

This can explain your difficulties with staying focused, managing working memory and staying organized. You may engage in thrill seeking activities and crave high levels of stimulation that result in instant gratification, whether through gaming, internet use or impulsive and risky choices.

Genetics and Epigenetics in ADHD and Substance Abuse

Researchers have found that ADHD is strongly linked to genetics. One report found a 74% heritability rate. There also appears to be a connection between environmental factors such as trauma, neglect or chronic stress in the development of ADHD.

Impulsivity, Thrill Seeking and Addictive Personality Traits

Individuals with ADHD and addiction have dysregulated dopamine levels. This often leads to engaging in behaviors that produce immediate dopamine surges, such as gambling, overeating or misusing substances. These activities stimulate the brain’s reward circuitry, resulting in feelings of satisfaction, stimulation and reward.

Self Medication with Drugs, Alcohol and Behavioral Addictions

People with ADHD may engage in self medicating behavior. This means they use substances or participate in behaviors that provide a temporary boost to dopamine levels.

This creates a sense of relief from negative emotions, restlessness, inability to focus or boredom. While self medication may be helpful in the short term, it often results in dysfunctional behaviors that worsen situations.

Managing ADHD symptoms while avoiding relapse is tough, however structure helps.

Grab the ADHD & Addiction Daily Planner to create routines, log cravings and replace bad habits with healthier choices.

ADHD and Substance Abuse: Common Addictions

Nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamines or opioids and prescription sedatives are the most abused substances in people with ADHD. The choice to use substances may be prompted by the drug’s temporary positive effects.

ADHD and Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows messages traveling from the brain to other parts of the body. Alcohol may help slow racing thoughts, improve fidgeting or lessen excessive talking and interrupting in a person with ADHD. This is described as self medicating behavior.

Alcohol does not actually treat ADHD, but it can temporarily improve some symptoms. However, misusing alcohol can make forgetfulness worse, impair memory and disrupt your executive functioning.

Self medicating with alcohol can worsen irritability, increase feelings of rejection and isolation and could lead to the development of alcohol use disorder.

You may be prescribed stimulant medications such as Adderall or Ritalin or non stimulant medications like Strattera or Intuniv. Using alcohol with these drugs can reduce the effectiveness of treatment and can worsen mood swings, cause drowsiness or increase cardiovascular workload.

ADHD and Cocaine Use

Cocaine is a stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system and affects the same brain pathways involved in ADHD, including dopamine levels. When a person with ADHD uses cocaine, they get a boost to their dopamine levels. This may temporarily help with focus and have a calming effect.

While it may initially feel like cocaine is helpful, there are serious health consequences, including cardiovascular problems and worsening mental health issues.

ADHD and Marijuana

Marijuana is a mind altering, psychoactive drug that creates a wide range of effects, including euphoria, relaxation, anxiety or paranoia. The ability to focus, learn and retain information is affected. You have difficulty with focus and concentration, fidgeting or staying organized, so using marijuana is counterproductive.

ADHD Medication and Addiction

ADHD medications are often prescribed, such as stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta) or Amphetamines (Adderall or Vyvanse).

These work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Both neurotransmitters are dysregulated in ADHD and are needed for attention, focus, motivation and impulse control.

While medications are beneficial, their use comes with a risk of addiction because of the impact on the brain’s reward system. Over time, you can develop a tolerance or dependence on the drug, triggering a cycle of taking more to achieve the desired effect.

Safer alternatives exist if you are at risk of developing an addiction to stimulant medications. One alternative is using non-stimulant medications such as Strattera, Kapvay or Intuniv. 

Other Substances Linked to ADHD Addiction

You may turn to nicotine, opioids, sedatives or hallucinogens to self medicate. While these substances temporarily improve symptoms, such as concentration or motivation, their use comes with a high risk of negative health consequences and even death.

Behavioral Addiction in ADHD

In addition to addiction to substances, you may be at risk of developing other types of addictions. This may include porn, the internet, gaming, shopping and food addiction. You may have trouble regulating impulse control and reward cycles.

This often leads to behaviors that increase dopamine levels, resulting in feelings of instant reward or gratification. Engaging in these activities provides you with the quick rewards you crave. Over time, this cycle leads to addiction.

Short Term and Long Term Effects of ADHD and Addiction

ADHD and addiction can affect many areas of life, creating challenges that go beyond your immediate symptoms.

Understanding the short and long term effects is important, as they influence emotional health, relationships, academic or work performance and overall wellbeing. The effects stem from the inability to focus or concentrate, regulate impulse control or emotions and poor decision making.

Short Term Impacts

• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Keeping up with school or work responsibilities
• Financial problems
• Health challenges

Long Term Impacts

• Disordered thinking patterns impact executive functioning
• Poor self control, impulse control and planning
• Depression or anxiety
• Difficulties with relationships that can lead to divorce or separation
• Serious health consequences, including malnutrition, infection or irreparable organ damage

Signs of ADHD and Addiction in Adults

ADHD and substance abuse in adults share similar characteristics. This can make a correct diagnosis more complex.

These effects negatively impact your life and produce overlapping symptoms, such as:

• Difficulty focusing
• Poor memory
• Sleep disturbances
• Restlessness
• Impulsivity
• Mood swings
• Difficulties at work or school
• Relationship problems
• Disorganization
• A reliance on substances to “make you feel better”

ADHD and Addiction Treatment Options

The good news is, there are treatment options for ADHD and addiction that can include detox, inpatient and outpatient programs. These programs use a mix of behavioral therapies, medications and long term relapse prevention.

ADHD Detox and Stabilization

Detox and stabilization are important first steps towards a life in recovery when you struggle with ADHD and an addiction.

Detox is the process of clearing your body of alcohol or drugs, managing withdrawal symptoms and preparing you to participate in rehabilitation. Once the substances are eliminated, your condition is more stable and you are better prepared to fully focus on an addiction treatment program.

Inpatient and Residential Programs

Individuals with ADHD and addiction benefit from treatment programs that recognize the importance of treating both conditions simultaneously.

These inpatient or residential dual diagnosis programs provide individual and group therapies that utilize a mix of behavioral treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Contingency Management (CM). Both of which improve coping skills and executive functioning.

Outpatient Treatment for ADHD and Addiction

Individuals with mild to moderate addiction who have ADHD can participate in outpatient treatment programs that utilize a mix of behavioral therapies, individual and group counseling sessions, relapse prevention planning and executive functioning skill improvement.

Medication and Therapy for ADHD and Addiction

Several medications can be used to treat ADHD and addiction. The choice to use medicine is between you and your medical provider.

Because many of these medications also have the potential to cause addiction, it is important to have close medical supervision. As well as participation in a program that utilizes talk therapies, education and relapse prevention planning for the most comprehensive treatment.

Long Term Support and Relapse Prevention

The recovery journey does not stop once you have completed a treatment program.

Relapse prevention is an ongoing process that includes a strong support system, including family, friends and peer support groups. Relapse prevention helps improve time management skills, mindfulness practices and developing routines to make life easier.

How to Deal with ADHD Without Turning to Substances

Individuals with ADHD can manage their behaviors through medical and psychological support, skill building, structure and routine and in some cases, medications. There are several ways that a person with ADHD can learn to manage their symptoms.

Daily ADHD Management Strategies

• Create structured routines
• Reminder tools like a planner or calendar
• Break tasks into smaller tasks, including time blocking
• Apps that help manage daily schedules, create checklists or have audible alarms
• Reduce distractions
• Set time limits
• Practice mindfulness

Healthy Outlets for Impulsivity

• Exercise
• Hobbies
• Mindfulness
• Creative expression
• Volunteering
• Social connection
• Adventure activities

Building Support Systems

• Peer support groups
• Accountability partner
• Professional guidance
• Work allies
• Community organizations
• Friendship circles

When to Seek ADHD and Addiction Treatment

When you are self medicating to treat your ADHD symptoms, it is likely time to seek help. While you might experience temporary relief from substances, they typically worsen symptoms over time and increase your risk of addiction.

The earlier you receive help, the easier your detox and addiction recovery will be. Watch for these signs:

• Worsening life problems
• Can’t get through the day without substances
• Loss of control
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Physical health changes
• Emotional instability
• Loss of interest
• Risky behaviors

Take the first step toward balance with your free ADHD & Addiction Recovery Daily Planner designed to help you stay focused, manage triggers and build healthier habits every day.

Hope for ADHD and Addiction Recovery

The good news is that ADHD and addiction recovery are possible. Reaching out is often the first step towards building healthier habits, accessing professional support and creating lasting positive change.

Websites like Detox.com provide a database where you can find a treatment program to meet your unique needs. You can filter by location, programs available, cost, amenities, insurance accepted and contact information. 

Contact a program today, you won’t regret it!

Call today and get the help you need.

800-996-6135

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