ADHD, stimulants and addiction

Lots of drug and alcohol rehabs are available for drug / alcohol treatment. Yet there is a hidden addiction that is not given the attention it requires. It is yet to become recognised as a cause for concern and is yet misunderstood. We are talking about those people who suffer from a dual problem. ADHD and addiction. These are the people whose behaviours and addiction to prescribed stimulants are so contrary that even the best rehabs in India fail to treat effectively. In fact there is a big gap in the understanding of the disorder and the resultant addiction

What is ADHD:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological cognitive behavioural disorder. It\’s causes could be varied but the affected person usually displays a few common patterns. Their symptoms include inability to focus, impulsive behaviours, easy distraction and a lack of understanding of social cues. ADHD can have an impact on social development, academics, and work life as it is associated with difficulty paying attention, staying still, coping with boredom and tedious tasks, and controlling impulsive behaviors.

ADHD is typically seen in behaviours given below:

• A lack of ability to pay attention or focus
• Hyperactive behaviour or constant physical activity
• Impulsive behaviours and comments
• Difficulty finishing tasks
• Problem listening to others
• Struggles with organizing tasks or responsibilities
• Forgetfulness in social commitments
• Getting easily distracted
• Fidgeting constantly
• Losing or misplacing personal stuff
• Poor judgement of priorities
• Relationship problems
• Inability to understand the consequences of behaviour
• Impulsively or off handedly saying things that could be offensive.

Understanding ADHD and substance abuse

Due to the above symptoms people with ADHD tend to feel ostracized amongst peers, may be abused, bullied and traumatised or find themselves being left out. This emotional pain could drive them to drink or drugs to cope.Impulsiveness, low judgement skill, poorly developed social skills, and the social awkwardness that often come with ADHD lead the way to indulgence, without regard of the consequences. Also the most common medical treatment for ADHD is with medicine like ritalin or adderall. These are potentially habit forming and could be abused. So there is high likelihood that people with ADHD begin to misuse the prescribed medication and also explore other drugs.Jenny, a client, felt that having ADHD made it hard for her to fit in — except with the crowd that drank or smoked marijuana. She says. “I used to think,\’\’ They accept me. They don’t care if I’m a little crazy, if I don’t finish sentences, and walk out of the room while they’re talking.\” Doctor often prescribe stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall which are often effective at managing symptoms, but they also have a high potential for abuse. As the minds of ADHD people work faster they usually have low attention spans. They appear distracted with low focus. The medicines help them focus. This greatly helps in studies, work, games, but also leads to dependence and gives a high. This leads to abuse of the prescription.

Treatment for ADHD and substance abuse

Due to the nature of the disorder it becomes very difficult to treat the addiction of ADHD persons. There are various treatment programs that focus on addressing both ADHD and addiction simultaneously. Addiction treatment programs for individuals with ADHD emphasize a dual diagnosis approach and utilize various types of therapy to allow for healing and healthy habits to take form.

A dual diagnosis program

Dual diagnosis programs assist with managing the symptoms of ADHD and modifying the individual’s responses and triggers while in recovery. This will allow people struggling with ADHD and addiction to live a healthy, functional life, without being dependent on any substance.

Modifying destructive thoughts and behaviors that promote substance abuse is a part of dual diagnosis. CBT and REBT are very effective therapies. They help in building self-esteem and encouraging internal motivation to confront negative self defeating thoughts and behaviours. Due to the nature of ADHD and the medicines used to treat it, controlling the symptoms of ADHD through behavioral modification and medication therapy is necessary. Identifying substance abuse triggers and learning how to manage impulses Educating partners and family members about ADHD Abuse isn’t about how much you’re doing or how often it happens. It’s about how your use affects your relationships, health, work, school, and your standing with the law,” Says a marriage and family therapist and certified addiction specialist in California. “If you have difficulties in these areas and you keep on using, you definitely have a problem.”