If a mental health issue is developed on top of an addiction, becoming sober is going to take more effort and a specific type of treatment. One common form of mental illness that leads to addiction is ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and addiction. Co-occurring disorders are one of the leading causes of addiction due to self-medication.
One study found that 23% of adults who have an addiction also have ADHD. The same study found that half of the adoloscents who were struggling with addiction also showed ADHD symptoms. It is estimated that up to 9% of the global population has the disorder. The same researchers believe that early intervention prevents a patient from gearing themselves toward marijuana or alcohol for stimulation.
The good news is that there is a path of recovery for ADHD and addiction.
Regardless of the type of addiction you are experiencing, there is help readily available to you. Quality rehabilitation focuses on treating patients who have an addiction, mental health issue or dual diagnosis.
What is ADHD?
Studies have found that attention deficit hyperactive disorder often develops at a young age. The 1990s saw a rise in cases. Some believe the spike was due to better information and its dissemination. Doctors were better equipped to spot it in their patients. Plus, parents were seeing the symptoms in their children, too.
Some of the symptoms of ADHD can include:
ADHD also causes adults to lose focus as well as incur emotional, health, and relationship problems. Today, this condition is treated with therapy and medication. The medication, however, can be addicting for some if not taken carefully. In other cases where medication is being taken as prescribed, dependence can still occur. Then, there are those who use the medications in order to numb themselves.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of ADHD?
In children, the first signs of ADHD are:
Now, keep in mind that children have a lot of energy. Parents should never confuse this with ADHD. Being a parent is a full-time job. Kids are great at wearing their parents out. So, if you are trying to figure out if your child does indeed have this disorder, there are some other factors to consider.
Children that have a low birth weight, were born premature or suffered a brain injury are more likely to develop the disorder. The environment should also be taken into consideration when assessing a child for ADHD. For example, a neglected child may have attention-seeking behaviors that can appear as symptoms of ADHD.
How does ADHD Lead to Substance Abuse?
The teenage years are especially difficult. During this time, a person’s hormones are raging as their bodies are going through serious changes. A teenager that is experiencing puberty and ADHD is most likely to abuse at least one substance. Essentially, they are trying to self-medicate. If they feel different from their peers, wanting to fit in could lead them to give in to peer pressure, or worse.
When the disorder carries over into the adult years un-treated, it is a similar situation. Some patients believe that taking a shot of alcohol in the morning or smoking marijuana helps them feel normal. They do not realize that in order to function, they have to abuse a substance on a daily basis.
How Do Drugs and Alcohol make ADHD Worse?
Addiction becomes worse for a person who has been diagnosed, or not, with ADHD because they are less likely to exercise self-control. This makes them indistinguishable from an addict without this disorder. An addict is someone who is rendered helpless by their substance of choice. ADHD compounds it.
Treatment for ADHD and Addiction
The medical field has had several decades to study and research the signs of ADHD, the disorder, and addiction. So, if you are a person dealing with these co-occurring conditions, the good news is that help is available.
When you enter a rehabilitation program, you will attend group sessions, but the bulk of your plan will be customized. The length of time you have been struggling with your addiction, your substance of choice, and co-occurring disorders are taken into account. Mission Harbor’s goal is to ensure that have the tools you need to recover so you can cope with challenging situations, and live the life you deserve.
Addiction and ADHD treatment is combined to make dual diagnosis treatment. It places a focus on therapy including holistic, family, and individual sessions. The goal is to modify destructive thoughts that lead to substance abuse. Additionally, work to build up a patient’s self-esteem is taken, too. The trained staff involved in your program figures out how to get each patient to self-motivate.
Triggers are also identified. This is not different from typical drug abuse rehabilitation. Every addict has triggers. In life, though, no one can run away from those triggers all the time. Through treatment, you’ll learn how to face these triggers with new, healthy coping strategies to avoid relapse.
For more information about treating addiction and mental health issues, visit Mission Harbor. When you call, you will consult with one of our trained staff members. From there, we put together a plan that puts you on the road to recovery.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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