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The connection between ADHD & alcohol dependency

Aritro has been working in the Alcohol and Other Drug industry for five years as a counsellor and assessor. He also writes blogs on various platforms focussing on psychology, addiction and wellbeing on various platforms. You can find his own blog at http://thingsthathelp.net/.

In my four years as a phone counsellor on the Directline service in Victoria, I have found that many people experiencing substance-use problems report symptoms that are consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD. And sadly, a great many of them have never undergone an assessment to find out whether the diagnosis applies to them. This is unfortunate because knowing whether they suffer ADHD would provide an explanation for a great many of their previous experiences and help them understand themselves and their substance use, with a lot more clarity.

Here’s something to chew on; studies show that a quarter of adolescents with substance-use issues fit the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Furthermore,15% of diagnosed adults had abused or were dependent upon alcohol and other drugs during the previous year. While this may not seem like a sizable percentage, it is nevertheless three times the rate for adults without a diagnosis.

Interestingly, in his excellent book ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s world, Thom Hartmann explains that researchers have now identified a gene which is twice as likely to appear in people with ADHD than in neurotypical people, and eight times as likely to appear in people with alcohol and substance issues.

But why is it that people with ADHD are so much more likely to abuse substances? The reasons become clearer when we understand the traits that are typical of people who fit this diagnosis.

Traits of ADHD

The four primary indicators of ADHD are impulsivity, distractibility, love of high stimulation or risk and a different sense of time to most people. While these underlying traits are common in people who have ADHD, they may also appear differently in each person, depending on the different strategies that one has learned to compensate for them.

So, if you have ADHD, you might make a lot of snap decisions, change your mind quickly and have a tendency to constantly monitor things in your environment. It’s possible that supermarkets feel like sensory overstimulation zones with all the lights, music, people and merchandise.

And you might struggle to concentrate on work when there’s music playing, although, it’s also possible that you’ve found that playing music helps to drown out the background noise of people talking in the office. But there’s a good chance that when you’re at a bar or party with multiple voices, noises and movement around you, it becomes really hard to follow conversations.

And depending on the effectiveness of your compensation strategies, it’s possible that you find yourself apologising a lot for being late.

Other indicators are a short, but extraordinarily intense attention span, disorganisation, difficulty following directions, a tendency to daydream and a pattern of becoming easily frustrated or impatient.

So even though some tasks might seem unfeasibly boring or mundane, you can intensely zone in on things that fire your imagination and passion. There’s a good chance your desktop, workspace and bedroom are a disaster zone. You might have been accused of being ‘absent-minded’ in the past, and this might be because you’re preoccupied with daydreaming or because you find it hard to focus on conversation. And you probably sometimes feel sharp waves of frustration or impatience, and can express it in ways that can seem blunt or rude. Being considered and diplomatic probably hasn’t been a strength!

Some other criteria for ADHD identified in the DSM-V are hopping from one activity to another without completing any, fidgeting or squirming a lot, interrupting questions before they’re finished, chronic procrastination, a tendency to say what comes to mind without thinking of appropriateness and a pattern of others reporting that a person is not listening when they’re being spoken to.

Furthermore, there’s a possibility you regularly put off cleaning and housework, although you might have constructed an elaborate series of post-it notes to remind you to do it.

You probably love coffee more than most and you might have had life-long problems with going to bed late and achieving quality sleep. You probably feel a really intense sense of rejection when someone says or does something even slightly hurtful (known as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria). Sometimes you might feel socially awkward or anxious around people because you struggle with small talk and want to talk about things that are more meaningful and outlandish than the things others want to talk about.

On the other hand, you’re probably wonderfully creative, have an off-kilter sense of humour, and are brilliant at generating ideas and solving certain kinds of problems. You’re probably curious about a huge range of topics and have the capacity to become intensely passionate about things you care about. You’re a deep thinker, and you can form associations between loosely related ideas that others can’t. And you thrive in high-adrenaline environments and become unusually calm and focused in a crisis.

ADHD and Alcohol

So, given this backdrop, it makes sense that people with ADHD might find substances useful as a form of self-medication for their symptoms. Alcohol, for instance, may – in the short term – help people calm their thoughts and be useful as an aid to falling asleep. It might also be used for emotional regulation and offer temporary relief from the intensely felt emotions.

It might offer something to do during periods of downtime, which for people with ADHD can feel acutely boring, and also provide a crutch to lean on in instances of social anxiety.

Furthermore, people with ADHD often suffer comorbid depression and anxiety due to their experiences of being judged, bullied or condemned for their unique traits. Many also develop a tendency towards self-condemnation as well, having internalised other people’s judgements of themselves. Unsurprisingly alcohol can appear to be a useful temporary salve for the low mood, restlessness and discomfort that can arise as a result of these factors.  Comorbid depression and anxiety can also arise due to the effort and stress that goes into getting basic stuff done – stuff that other people seem to do without difficulty. They can also develop low self-esteem. Alcohol may also serve as a way of coping with or dulling these feelings, at least temporarily.

And of course, given their issues with impulse control, it can be hard for people with ADHD to resist the perceived appeal of having a drink when the urge hits.

But do I really have ADHD?

It is worth keeping in mind that in the age of smartphones, it has become commonplace for many people in the population to experience some of the traits that are consistent with ADHD. With the constant barrage of messages, notifications and impulsive browsing, we are creating an ‘intensely focused state of distraction’ which impacts our ability to concentrate on tasks, regulate our thoughts and practise impulse control. Looking at screens late at night will also cause us to go to bed later and suppress our melatonin production, resulting in difficulty sleeping.

However, those who suffer ADHD will remember having experienced these tendencies long before the advent of smartphones. And with the added impact of excessive smartphone use, it is likely that their struggles with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and sleep problems will have become even more intense.

It is also worth noting that the perception that people with ADHD are hyperactive and constantly in motion is not necessarily true in all cases. In reality, there are three types of ADHD;

  • Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
  • Predominantly inattentive
  • Combined type

While it is true that those diagnosed with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD might seem to be constantly in motion and prolific talkers, if you happen to fall in the second of those categories then chances are that these traits will not be representative of your experience.

Getting assessed for ADHD

If any of this sounds like you, it might be time to get assessed to see if you have ADHD.

The traits of ADHD exist on a spectrum, meaning that they can range from mild to severe, and can exist in all of us, at times, to some degree. However, if you’re losing your keys constantly, not just sometimes, and if it’s hard to sit still all the time, not just occasionally (or when you’ve got an hour left of work on a Friday afternoon), then it might be time to look into an assessment. Particularly if these traits have been around for a long time, are interfering with your work or relationships, or are just getting in the way of living the life you want to live.

The first step is to book a GP appointment and get a referral to see a psychiatrist who can assess you. The assessment usually involves a number of self-report questionnaires about childhood development, physical and mental health and the prevalence of ADHD traits. Some may also recommend cognitive testing, which can help to identify your strengths and areas that are more difficult. They may also rely on prior school reports, and interview family members or partners.

Whether you get diagnosed or not, if you’ve ever wondered whether you suffer ADHD, finding out won’t hurt and may turn out to be the best thing you ever did. Because with that hugely important piece of insight, and with the right coaching, research and sometimes medication, a person with ADHD can not only begin to gain control of their substance use but also many other areas of life.

33 Comments

  1. You’ve been spying on me. You’ve seen my desk, my overdue housework, my bottle bin, and all the other behaviours.
    You know why I self-medicate, and I am extremely grateful that you said so.

    1. This is so very good! I will use it to educate my family – it’s the first thing I have read in 6 months that is comprehensive & so easy to read!! Thank you

      1. Thanks heaps for the feedback guys, really appreciate it. I was trying to write it as a primer on ADHD that hits the important notes, so these comments have been really humbling 🙂

    1. Cheers for the feedback Stu 🙂 But it’s so important to keep in mind the special advantages we get from ADHD as well, it’s part of us but it doesn’t have to be our disorder

      1. I never thought I had it, excelled in school although always last minute for projects & papers. As an adult great in juggling multi-case careers but always in “trouble” for my “mess”. Not to mention my romantic relationships or parental/anyone “I’m bad because I do it differently/on a different timeframe. A nephew when very young was obvious he needed meds, parents ignored & fought it of course. Once they did, new kid. However then my brother (his dad) years later got diagnosed & put on meds. Thanks to our social world I’ve learned I very much epitomize it, but don’t know what to do as my GP won’t touch it. So how does one actually get help? Who do I ask? Where can I go?

  2. Well … what a breath of fresh air. You have just described my life. A collection of seemly unrelated struggles and behaviours which come together under the banner of ADHD. Diagnosed 3 years ago at 65, the meds have made a big difference but to read your incredibly elucidating words has brought me such joy to know that it all ties together and that there is a reason for it all.
    A massive thank you!!!

  3. I feel seen.

    I was diagnosed last year with Combined Type ADHD. I was 43 at diagnosis, and I had never even considered that I could have it until a friend mentioned she thought SHE had it.

    Turns out I’m a walking, talking, loud, fast, innattentive text book case of it. Curbing the excessive alcohol use is this year’s goal.

    Thank you for helping to increase awareness.

    1. You have described me and my life in ways that I could never have explained to anyone. I have never been diagnosed before but now armed with this information I know that help is out there.
      Thank you.

    2. This is the most accurate description of adult adhd I have read so far. Diagnosed a year ago, medication has made me prefer sobriety to the feeling of a few drinks – medication clears the fog and drinking brings the fog back. Life changing. Great blog, thanks for sharing

      1. Love the feedback guys, really appreciate it! The bulk of the research was from Hartmann’s “A Hunter in a Farmer’s World”. Incredible book about ADHD, I encourage anyone to have a look 🙂

  4. Hear hear. Diagnosed at 41 after my 7y.o. son’s diagnosis. My (over) use of alcohol has always had an enormous component of self-medication. When younger, I distinctly remember saying I felt more ‘normal’ after a couple of drinks and could think more clearly. That was alcohol inhibiting the constant mental noise and the anxiety that came with it.

    1. You have described me and my life in ways that I could never have explained to anyone. I have never been diagnosed before but now armed with this information I know that help is out there.
      Thank you.

      1. Wow, that’s such amazing feedback. Thanks mate, really glad it resonated! The more we know about what’s going on with us, the more empowered we can be. All the best!

  5. I was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Subtype last year at the age of 49 yo in May 2020. In Sep 2020, I stopped drinking, I won’t ever drink ever again. My diagnosis has changed my life. My life will never be the sane again. There is so much power in self awareness. Once you understand yourself better, you are then able to heal. It’s critical that diagnoses are made earlier in teens before they have to resort to self medicating a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood. More resources and funding are needed to address this very important issue!

    1. So glad the diagnosis changed your life. It can be amazing the perspective it can bring when you know what’s going on. Fantastic work on the abstinence, keep it going! We’re all behind you.

  6. Haha, glad it resonated! Thanks so much for the feedback guys. Just a heads up, a lot of my research was from Hartmann’s “A Hunter in a Farmer’s World”. Absolutely amazing, perspective-changing book about ADHD if you want to peruse 🙂

  7. Ha! Just had my 4th review with my psychiatrist, and she was not surprised that I am quitting drinking. My reasoning to her was – with my symptoms of ADHD now under better control, I feel I can attend to my physical health issues. Now I know why it wasn’t a surprise, and why it is suddenly so much easier for me to abstain from drinking wine of an evening, after all these years (or decades!)

  8. Well someone just held up a mirror in front of me. Self medication and constant distraction. A month after stopping abusing alcohol (for like 20+ years) and reading widely, it’s amazing how good the clarity can be. The comment about knowing the traits going way back (for me to my adolescence), vs just the daily distraction from our over (Ab) use of technology is spot on as well. Great article, massive gratitude.

  9. Hi there lovely people. I’ve only just read this after an unecessary argument with my partner. I have ticked all of the boxes so far and was just wondering that the people who are medicated, what is there medication? I presently are on some meds however I think it’s all wrong now? It would be great to here from you.
    Take care everybody.

  10. A sense of relief right there. Sober almost 6 years from alcohol abuse. Social anxiety massive, worse now because of cov19. Time to heal.

  11. Felt like I just read about ME. Thanks. Was never diagnosed, but I was a teacher for 35 years, and I KNOW what it’s all about. Not only was my desk a constant mess, papers scattered, but some students would make comments along with staff, about my being disorganized. It was a stand No joke. I always brushed it off, because I knew where EVERYTHING WAS! But is hurt…because I couldn’t help it.
    At home, same thing. I remember one day, I came home from teaching and my 9 year old son had “surprised me,” and cleaned up my desk in the kitchen. I was mortified… because I knew where everything was…even if it was just a messy pile. I thanked him, but asked him not to do it again.
    Growing up, I was always distracted in school, only excelled at classes I LIKED. I hated math and science…all left brain activities. I was a right brain. Musical, creative at writing, and the wild child.
    I ended up marrying an mechanical engineer, which was hellish. But I can say that at 69, and 45 years married to the same guy…I LIKE to be organized now. I DO NOT LIKE IT…when my husband offers to “show me” the RIGHT
    WAY to be organized.
    I stopped drinking in 2015. Cold turkey. And I found THIS site the day I stopped. I called it “divine intervention.” I had a Birthday drink 🍷 in 2019 and I had swore off the hard stuff forever. And I won’t touch vodka or scotch ever again.
    Since then, I have worked back up to drinking TOO MUCH wine…daily. I’m retired and we have a condo with A LOT of daily drinkers. Hard core. It’s too easy to get caught up in the socializing and pouring..but last night I went to an event at the clubhouse and drank O’doulls (non-alcoholic beer). I watched and listened as the drunkards emerged. I make a decision last night to stop again. These beautiful friends just pouring, slurring words, glazed eyes…was enough to say…”you need to STOP.” I do use medical marijuana and THAT alone should be enough. I actually talked to two friend last night, who were wasted…and told them to please slow down and stop…because I’ve been, there…I’m not Being judgmental…I just don’t want to be drunk…and this morning, neither friend remembered half of what they said last night. And one got behind the wheel because she was upset with her husband…who was also drunk. Scary shit.
    So here I go again
    I woke up feeling good this morning…and will promise myself to take every day, doing the very best I can be. I don’t beat myself up for having a “small pile” of papers on the dining no room table. And my husband has learned to choose his battles. At “almost 69” I am STILL a work in progress.

  12. Thank you so much for writing this piece. I am aware of the book you researched, I just haven’t been able to get through the whole thing yet. Surprise surprise. I have procrastinated at getting assessed, but this is just too accurate of a description of myself to ignore.

  13. Brilliant article this is me. After reading this I saw a psychiatrist and got diagnosed. Everything makes sense now I can see the reasons for my behaviour and feelings. The disastrous decisions the alcohol abuse. Being bullied at school dropping out of school moving from job to job.
    Thanks for this insight.

  14. Thank you for this reminder. I am diagnosed with ADHD (in my fifties) and can tick all the boxes you mention. I found the side effects of the drugs horrible so discontinued, but have self-medicated (mostly with alcohol, sometimes shopping, eating) ever since. I think it’s time to get back in touch with my psychiatrist.

  15. Not convinced.
    -Every single person in modern day life will have some or all of these symptoms. There’s a danger of diagnosing “life in the 21st century” as a disorder.
    -The gene studies mean little when we don’t know what the particular genes code for.
    -Chicken and egg – did the alcohol cause the “ADHD” or did the adhd cause the substance abuse?

  16. Thanks for this great article. After a recent embarrassing incident I have found myself googling “ADHD and alcohol” – I was diagnosed about 4 months ago in my mid-50s – and it lead me to your wonderful explanation. Not gonna lie, my eyes welled up a bit.

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