ADHD and Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles
ADHD and addiction show up together more often than most people realize, and treating one without addressing the other rarely works. Individuals with ADHD are more than 2.5 times more likely to develop substance use disorders compared to those without ADHD. The connection makes sense: ADHD brains crave stimulation and balance, so many people turn to substances to feel normal, often years before they are ever diagnosed.
What starts as a way to cope can spiral into dependency, making ADHD symptoms even harder to manage. When ADHD and addiction show up together, they feed off each other, making focus harder, impulses stronger, and recovery more challenging.Roughly one in four adults entering rehab programs has an underlying, undiagnosed case of ADHD.
Dual diagnosis treatment tackles both conditions at once. Integrated treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously is more effective than treating them one at a time. Recovery Zone LA specializes in this type of integrated care, helping individuals navigate the complexities of co-occurring disorders.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a brain-based condition that affects how a person focuses, controls impulses, and manages daily tasks. People with ADHD experience persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. It’s a medical diagnosis, not a character flaw or lack of willpower.
There are three primary presentations of ADHD symptoms:
- Inattentive Type: Characterized by difficulties with attention and focus, without significant hyperactivity. Individuals may appear daydreamy and struggle with organization.
- Hyperactive Type: Marked by physical restlessness and impulsive behaviors. People with this type may fidget constantly and act without considering consequences.
- Combined Type: The most common form, involving both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Individuals showing the combined type of ADHD may face the highest risk for addiction, due to compounding effects.
How ADHD Relates to Addiction
The link between ADHD and addiction is both biological and behavioral. The National Institute on Drug Abuse confirms that people with ADHD face a much higher risk of developing substance use disorders.
Impulsivity and Novelty-Seeking Behaviors
ADHD makes impulse control harder, which means decisions about drugs or alcohol happen fast — often without thinking through consequences. People with ADHD often chase novelty and take risks. If you can’t wait for a reward and struggle to hit the brakes on impulses, substances become more tempting.
Self-Medication with Substances
Some people with ADHD turn to substances just to feel functional. Cocaine might sharpen focus for a few hours. Alcohol or weed might quiet the restlessness. But it’s all temporary, and self-medicating often backfires and/or results in addiction. Substances mess with brain chemistry, creating dependency and making ADHD symptoms feel worse without them.
Executive Functioning Challenges
Executive functioning refers to the brain’s ability to plan, organize, and control impulses. ADHD inherently weakens these skills, so thinking ahead or resisting cravings becomes a real struggle.
The impact of executive dysfunction on recovery can include:
- Poor Planning: Difficulty organizing daily life can make sticking to a recovery routine more challenging.
- Emotional Dysregulation: An impaired ability to manage intense emotions can lead to relapse during stressful times.
- Time Blindness: Trouble estimating time can lead to missed appointments or therapy sessions.
- Working Memory Deficits: A diminished memory can lead to forgetting coping strategies during critical moments.
ADHD Medications and Addiction Risk
One of the biggest questions families ask: Will ADHD medication lead to addiction? The research actually implies the opposite. When managed correctly, ADHD medication actually lowers the risk of addiction
Stimulant Medications Can Reduce Addiction Risk
Medications like Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta help balance dopamine levels when prescribed and monitored carefully. Treating ADHD with stimulants early, especially in teens, can lower the risk of future substance problems. By treating the underlying dopamine deficiency, the “hunger” for stimulation is often reduced.
Proper Medication Management During Recovery
Safe medication management during recovery means the addiction treatment team and psychiatrist must be on the same page. It often requires medical expertise to treat ADHD without triggering relapse. This also underlies the importance of formal diagnosis for ADHD, so that treatment can be as harmonious as possible.
For people in active addiction or those wary of stimulant medications, non-stimulant options like atomoxetine or bupropion can work well. These medications ease ADHD symptoms without the same risk of misuse, and may be a safer choice for early recovery.
The Importance of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment means tackling ADHD and addiction together, not one after the other. Ignore one condition, and you’re setting yourself up for failure. Get sober but leave ADHD untreated? The chaos and impulsivity may pull you back into old patterns.
Why Integrated Treatment Works Better
Integrated treatment works because ADHD and addiction are tangled together. It isn’t wise to treat one without the other due to how the symptoms interact. A person’s medical team on the same page. There are no mixed messages, just consistent care.
Integrated treatment has been shown to make care easier to access, keeps people engaged, and improves recovery outcomes. It helps your treatment team tell the difference between withdrawal and ADHD symptoms, so medication and therapy hit the right targets.
Addressing Both Conditions Simultaneously
Treating both ADHD and addiction at once means better engagement and stronger long-term results. Coordinated care teams and unified treatment planning ensure all aspects of a person’s health are addressed together.
It can also help chip away at the stigma around both ADHD and addiction. When ADHD is treated as a real medical condition that affects recovery (not a character flaw to be cured), people feel understood instead of judged.
Treatment for ADHD and Addiction
There are proven therapies designed specifically for treating ADHD and addiction together. Treatment plans are built around your specific symptoms, severity, and life circumstances.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT treatment teaches individuals to spot and reframe negative thoughts that can fuel both substance use and poor response to ADHD symptoms. It provides practical tools for managing cravings, sidestepping triggers, and building healthier ways to cope.
Benefits of CBT for dual diagnosis include:
- Improved Organization Skills: Can be used to teach concrete methods for using planners or breaking down tasks.
- Impulse Control: Helps individuals recognize the “pause” moment between a trigger and an action.
- Cognitive Restructuring: Addresses the negative self-talk that often fuels destructive behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT treatment focuses on four core skills: regulating emotions, tolerating distress, staying present, and improving relationships. DBT’s mindfulness practices can help quiet the mental noise. Distress tolerance skills provide alternatives to substance use when emotions feel overwhelming. For people with ADHD who often feel emotions intensely and act on impulse, these skills are game-changers.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy treats trauma that may contribute to the aggravation of both ADHD symptoms and addiction. Many individuals with ADHD experience trauma related to academic struggles, social rejection, or family conflict.
EMDR helps individuals process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. By resolving these underlying wounds, the need to self-medicate often diminishes.
Group Therapy
Group therapy offers peer support and shared experiences in a safe setting. Individuals with ADHD can learn how others manage impulsivity, organize their recovery efforts, and handle setbacks. The social aspect addresses the relationship difficulties that often accompany both ADHD and addiction.
Family Therapy
Family involvement is a critical part of recovery. Family therapy addresses relationship dynamics, improves communication, and helps family members understand both ADHD and addiction. ADHD often affects family dynamics long before substance use begins, often creating patterns of frustration and misunderstanding.
Heal from Addiction and Receive Support for ADHD at Recovery Zone LA
Recovery Zone LA provides integrated treatment for individuals managing both ADHD and substance use disorders. Our center recognizes that a significant portion of people seeking addiction treatment have undiagnosed ADHD, making comprehensive screening essential.
Our clinical team understands that ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty with focus contribute to substance use patterns. Services include:
- Comprehensive dual diagnosis assessment
- Individualized treatment planning
- Flexible scheduling options for outpatient programs
- Evidence-based therapeutic approaches that include CBT, DBT, and EMDR
- Ongoing support and aftercare planning
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides structured support several days per week, while the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offers more intensive treatment. These options allow individuals to maintain work, school, or family responsibilities while receiving specialized care.
If you or someone close to you is managing both ADHD and addiction, specialized help is available. Contact Recovery Zone LA today to learn more about integrated treatment programs and begin the path toward recovery.
FAQs about ADHD and Addiction
Can someone with ADHD safely take stimulant medications if they have a history of addiction?
Properly prescribed and monitored stimulant medications for ADHD do not increase addiction risk and may help reduce the risk of substance use. However, this requires close supervision by a medical professional.
How long does dual diagnosis treatment for ADHD and addiction typically take?
Treatment duration varies based on individual needs. But most people benefit from months of intensive treatment, followed by ongoing support and medication management.
Does insurance cover ADHD and addiction treatment together?
Most insurance plans cover dual diagnosis treatment, though coverage details vary. It’s important to verify your specific benefits to understand what services are included in your plan before starting treatment.
What should families do if they suspect both ADHD and addiction in a loved one?
Families can seek professional evaluation from qualified providers experienced in dual diagnosis assessment. Approaching the situation with empathy can help the individual feel safe enough to accept help.
References:
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/common-comorbidities-substance-use-disorders
- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/comorbidity
- https://www.samhsa.gov/
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
- https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders
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