ADHD and addiction

ADHD is a kind of behavioural condition. This means that, like other forms of neurodivergence (such as autism), experience with ADHD is typically lifelong. Often, clinical professionals do not describe ADHD as a mental health condition for this reason and prefer to use the term neurodevelopmental condition instead. Even if we do not consider ADHD as a metal health condition itself, that does not mean that ADHD does not have the ability to affect a person’s mental health negatively. ADHD can be linked to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Appropriate management of ADHD symptoms has the power to make a life-changing difference to your overall well being.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition that is classically understood as impacting an individual’s ability to maintain focus. With that being said, it is important to recognise that ADHD can be a complex condition that manifests itself differently across different individuals.  Each person with ADHD may find themselves affected in different ways. There can often be clear distinctions in ADHD symptoms across specific groups – for example, children with ADHD may act in different ways to adults with the same condition. Similarly, females with ADHD could experience their symptoms slightly differently from their male counterparts.

How Common is ADHD?

In the UK, an estimated 5% of children live with ADHD.

Among adults, this is estimated at somewhere between 3 and 4%.

ADHD prescription medications have increased in the past two decades, suggesting that the number of individuals seeking an ADHD diagnosis – or support to manage their ADHD – has been increasing over time.

Key ADHD Symptoms

There are two key types of behaviours linked with ADHD:

1. Behaviours associated with concentration
2. Behaviours associated with impulsivity

This could look very different for different people. For example, concentration difficulties could look like:

• Struggling with organisation
• Struggling with following instructions
• Struggling with memory
• Finding it hard to stick to one task for extended periods of time
• Frequently misplacing things
• Becoming easily distracted
• Missing details
• Trouble following a conversation
• Submitting work late and/or struggling with deadlines
• Avoidance

ADHD can be predominantly inattentive – meaning people struggle particularly with these tasks in particular.

Difficulties around impulse control may include:

• Reduced awareness of danger
• Finding it difficult to sit still
• Moving lots – including fidgeting and stimming
• Speaking lots – including in inappropriate situations
• Interrupting conversations or other turn-taking contexts

ADHD can be predominantly hyperactive or impulsive – meaning people struggle particularly with these tasks in particular.

Outside of these symptoms, people with ADHD can also experience a cluster of other symptoms. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘ADHD iceberg,’ suggesting that there is more to this condition’s symptomatology than may first meet the eye. Some of the potentially more ‘hidden’ symptoms of ADHD include:

• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Time blindness (difficulty estimating time)
• Physical and emotional hypersensitivity
• Decision paralysis (difficulty making choices when given too much information)
• Low self esteem
• Difficulties with executive functioning
• Difficulties gaining or maintaining motivation
• Dealing with dual diagnoses

How Do I Know If I Have ADHD?

If the above symptoms of ADHD feel recognisable, then it may be worth investigating ADHD with a primary care clinician.

There are some instances where symptoms of another condition look quite like ADHD. This can lead to late or even misdiagnosis (the diagnosis of the wrong condition). Common mental health problems that people with ADHD may be misdiagnosed with are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Personality disorder

That does not mean that you either have ADHD or one of these conditions. It is possible for you to have both. This is known as a dual diagnosis. Common dual diagnoses of ADHD include:

• Autism
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance use disorders or behavioural addictions
• Learning disabilities
• Oppositional defiant disorder

An accurate diagnosis is useful for ensuring that appropriate treatment (such as medications and therapies) are accessed, as well as increasing the possibility of reasonable adjustments at school or in the workplace.

ADHD & Addiction: What’s the Link?

ADHD can be linked with experiences of significant distress. Due to the focus on attentiveness, individuals with ADHD may find themselves potentially undermined or dismissed by people who may not understand their diagnosis – such as teachers, colleagues or employees. This can act to reduce opportunities in educational and occupational settings. This can have long-lasting effects on self-esteem and confidence, leading to people with ADHD feeling that they are not capable or ‘not good enough,’ which is very far from reality.

For this and several other reasons, people with ADHD may find themselves feeling low, anxious or self-critical. They may also find themselves getting overwhelmed when required to process too much information, leading to intense distress and emotional overload. Over time, this can really start to wear on a person’s wellbeing. When we exist in chronic stress for so long, we often turn to ways to self-soothe. Unfortunately, our self-soothing techniques can often be maladaptive, meaning that they actually act to harm us rather than help us. Examples include binge drinking, using drugs recreationally, becoming dependent on video games or the internet, and entering patterns of spending that may be financially damaging.

As individuals with ADHD tend to struggle with impulse control, there is perhaps already a preexisting tendency towards engaging, with risky behaviours that have addictive potential. The reliance on a dopamine hit could make addictive stimuli more enticing, which greatly increases the risk of addiction.

What Addictions Are Common in People with ADHD?

People with ADHD are at an increased risk of experiencing substance use disorders. This could include addictions to:

• Recreational drugs
• Prescription drugs
• Alcohol

Individuals with ADHD may be at an increased risk of developing a stimulant addiction in particular – meaning that substances such as caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine may pose a greater risk.

ADHD & Addiction Treatment Options

ADHD can be managed with appropriate forms of treatment. This could include taking medication, accessing therapy, or a mixture of the two.

ADHD medications include:

• Atomoxetine
• Dexamfetamine
• Guanfacine
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Methylphenidate

These medications help to increase focus and reduce impulsivity – they are not, however, a cure for ADHD. They act to manage symptoms rather than to remove the condition itself.

ADHD therapies can take different forms, like:

• Talking therapy
• Behaviour therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Nutritional changes
• Mindfulness and yoga

If you are struggling with an addiction, then the best form of treatment will be the kind that combines support for ADHD and addiction together. This could mean discussing your ADHD in rehab and finding ways to manage impulsivity in order to reduce the chances of relapse in the future.

Get Help Today

Addiction is a difficult path to walk. But you do not need to walk it alone. If you have a dual diagnosis, we can help you overcome your addiction. Call us to make initial contact and start your recovery journey today. At UKAT, we believe that each and every person deserves stable mental health and a substance-free future – and our expert team is here to help you take the first step towards it.