The Link Between ADHD and addiction
The Link Between ADHD and addiction
It is very common for people who struggle with ADHD to turn to addictive behaviors, such as eating disorders, gambling and substance abuse as a way to deal with their untreated ADHD. A person with untreated ADHD is constantly looking for something that will help to calm their restless brains and help them function better. A lot of times someone with untreated ADHD will struggle with staying focused and in turn deal with low self-esteem due to feeling like they are less than, or not understanding why tasks seem to come so easily to others. Addictive substances and behaviors are a way for one to self-medicate and sometimes briefly improve their performance.
The problem lies in the fact that self-medicating works at first. ADHD is most commonly treated with prescriptions such as adderall and Ritalin, which can be classified as stimulants. Street drugs such as cocaine, diet pills and “speed” mimic the effects of the prescription medication and seem to help with the symptoms. Nicotine, caffine and sugar can act in the same way. After self-medicating for a period of time this behavior cam bring on many addiction related issues such as impulsive crimes, high risk behaviors, violence, unemployment, health issues and difficulties in relationships. Many people who deal with untreated ADHD are in need of treatment for co-occuring disorders.
Labels: addictiom, ADHD, caffine, co-occurring-disorders, cocaine, diet pills, speed
8 Comments:
Very interesting topic. As a youngster I was tested and diagnosed with ADHD, took the Ritalin for a while and then stopped at some point. I was young enough that I really dont remember if the medicine helped or not, and dont remember why or when I stopped taking it. I do remember being resentful that my parents made me take the medicine. For a long time I told people that ADHD was a made up disease for parents who needed to explain why their child wasn't getting straight A's.(proof that I was a teenager once!) I had never considered the connection between drug abuse and ADHD. Its difficult enough to be a teenager, throw in a condition like ADHD and its no wonder kids feel alienated and different...
i totally relate, i go through the same stuff on a daily bases.
i have always struggled with adhd, and it is hard as a recovering addict when doctors are telling you take medication. The only problem is i used to abuse the medication. My disease of addiction tells me to take the medicine (that it will help me), but in reality it will only want me to abuse it once i start taking it. I really appreciate this article because i know that other people struggle with it just like me.
i think this is right on the money. constantly feeling out of control and not "normal" will drive you to do things that make you feel so. if something is not diagnosed correctly then the need to self- medicate will over come. no one wants to feel like they dont have control over their own mind.
I tried medicine to treat ADHD, because my previous pshyciatrist thought it might be an issue with me. Even though he knew I was an addict, he prescribed me Adderol. What I experienced was a "speedy euphoric feeling" that made me abuse the recommended dose and I eventually had to flush the medication down the toilet. So, if an addict who is or was addicted to stimulants and does not have proven ADHD, they should not take ritalin or Adderol or any other medication containing stimulants. I found out eventually that I was bi-polar. Which, like ADHD made me feel like abusing drugs to even out my moods. So I can definitely relate to this subject!
I am happy to see that professionals are seeing the link between ADD and addiction. ADD and addiction have some very similar traits,and if not separately diagnosed , can be confused as alcoholism without ADD,or ADD without alcoholism. ADD and addiction go hand in hand.
Great topic.
i agree 100%. i have add and probably a mild form of adhd and i used self- medication as a way to deal with these problems, not realizing i was just creationg even bigger ones.
My name is Amy Rollins and i would like to show you my personal experience with Adderall.
I have taken for 1 years. I am 20 years old. I have better luck with Adderall 20MG non-extended release than I do with Adderall XR 10MG, which is what I am prescribed. The XR wears off before the day is over, which leaves you with an awful crash to deal with. (Obviously, if you'd like to sleep regularly you shouldn't take another...so crashing off this particular dosage is almost inevitable.) They say you should drink caffeine towards the end of the day to try to ward off the symptoms of coming down off this drug.
Side Effects :
loss of appetite,dry mouth,insomnia,bad crash after about 7 hours,fidgety,rapid heartbeat,more productive,if taken for months regularly I start to feel less like myself,lower sex drive.
I hope this information will be useful to others,
Amy Rollins
Adderall Prescription Information
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home