LONG-TERM TREATMENT
ADHD and Addiction
How Often Do ADHD and Addiction Occur Together?
It’s not easy to provide conclusive statistics regarding a dual diagnosis of ADHD and addiction because both conditions often go undiagnosed or untreated. However, evidence suggests that about 25% of people in treatment for substance use disorder have a dual diagnosis of ADHD. In addition, ADHD is up to 10 times more prevalent in people who struggle with alcoholism than it is among those without this substance use disorder.
ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in children than adults. Young people with ADHD are also more likely than children without ADHD to experiment with and abuse substances. This happens at an earlier age in the ADHD group and increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Some of the symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity and impaired decision-making abilities. These characteristics can increase the chances that someone will use drugs in the first place. Because judgment is often affected in people with ADHD, they might make rash decisions when it comes to using drugs or alcohol.
ADHD and Addiction: Self-medicating
Prescription Medications for ADHD and Addiction
There are some prescription medications that relieve ADHD symptoms and help people manage their condition. These can be very effective. But most people who take ADHD medication regularly develop a tolerance. This means that the dose they’re used to taking diminishes in effectiveness.
At this point, they may increase their dosage to achieve the same effects. This process can quickly lead to dependence and addiction. Taking ADHD medication recreationally can also lead to substance use disorder. Furthermore, if the medication stops working and you don’t have support for your ADHD on any other level, you may use drugs to self-medicate.
It’s important to follow a holistic treatment plan that may include medication in addition to other approaches. Working closely with a mental health professional can help you manage your medication properly so that it doesn’t become a problem.
The Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment for These Disorders
If you treat an addiction without managing your dual diagnosis of ADHD, your struggle to deal with the co-occurring disorder can lead you through a cycle of chronic relapse. A dual diagnosis treatment center helps you manage both disorders so that you can break the cycle and live a fulfilling life.
The best treatment center for clients with a dual diagnosis of ADHD and substance use disorder helps individuals:
- Understand their unique needs regarding their health and wellness
- Change problematic thinking and behavior patterns
- Improve self-esteem, agency and self-efficacy
- Understand their dual diagnosis and manage their disorders effectively
- Identify their triggers for substance abuse and develop coping skills for dealing with them
- Manage impulsive behavior
- Involve supportive loved ones in their healing
- Create a medication management plan that works for them
Need help with drug relapse?
Get Support for ADHD and Addiction at Burning Tree Ranch
Burning Tree Ranch is a dual diagnosis treatment center with experience treating clients with ADHD and addiction. We treat every client as an individual and develop a care plan for the whole person.
This means that we will work toward managing their ADHD, addiction and many other factors that affect their ability to live a fulfilling life in recovery. When you understand your unique nature and design, you can find the right treatment approaches to help you flourish.
