While treating drug or alcohol addiction, it’s important to consider the full person and everything they’re struggling with to achieve the best results.
Two common co-occurring disorders are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews estimated that about 43% of people with ADHD also struggle with AUD.
What’s the link between ADHD and alcohol use? Keep reading as we discuss all the details and how to find high-quality co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment that will help manage both conditions effectively.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is a common behavioral health condition. The CDC estimates that about 15.5 million adults in the U.S. have diagnosable ADHD.
The most common symptoms of ADHD include:
- Trouble maintaining focus (inattention)
- Excessive movement (hyperactivity)
- Frequent impulsive thoughts or actions
A diagnosis for ADHD is usually given when someone displays one or more of those symptoms consistently for 6 months or longer.
Why People with ADHD Are at Higher Risk for Alcohol Use
Several clinical trials have shown strong links between ADHD and substance use. Some of the key risk factors identified in research include:
Earlier Alcohol Use
A study from the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that severe ADHD was connected to drinking at an earlier age and heavy or frequent alcohol use later in life. The study found that hyperactivity and impulsivity contributed the most to alcohol use, especially when drinking heavily in binge-like patterns.
Higher Sensitivity to Alcohol’s Effects
Alcohol can worsen the symptoms of ADHD. As someone drinks a larger amount of alcohol, it can lead to impulsive decision-making or difficulty focusing. Those effects go hand-in-hand with the symptoms of ADHD, so it could make behavior harder to control, including knowing when it’s time to stop drinking.
Additionally, long-term alcohol use is linked to effects like reduced cognitive function, memory problems, and reduced speech capabilities. This could also aggravate ADHD symptoms and make them harder to manage.
A study in 2020 found that these effects are why dual-diagnosis treatment for ADHD and addiction is so important to ensure both the patient’s mental health and addiction are managed effectively.
Increased Risk of Binge Drinking
As mentioned before, ADHD can make it more likely that someone drinks in binge-like patterns. A study from the Journal of Psychiatry Research found that the likelihood of binge drinking increased with more severe ADHD symptoms or when symptoms of ADHD weren’t being treated appropriately.
ADHD Self-Medication
Someone who struggles with ADHD may also drink to self-medicate. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system and cognitive function, so someone with ADHD may feel like having some drinks helps them relax or relieve stress.
Self-medication can lead to someone becoming dependent on alcohol, where they feel like they need to drink to function normally. It can also lead to more serious effects in the long run since alcohol can worsen ADHD symptoms in higher doses.
The Science Behind the Connection
Along with the scientific evidence mentioned above, another big connection between alcohol use and ADHD is dopamine regulation.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates your brain’s reward system. Studies show that people with ADHD often have lower average dopamine levels, which is a big reason why medications like Adderall that speed up the central nervous system and dopamine production often have positive effects.
Alcohol can also cause a big release of dopamine when you have your first drink, so that can make someone with ADHD feel better. However, that can lead to continuously drinking to try to achieve that effect, and a higher potential for alcohol dependence.
Co-Occurring Disorders: ADHD and Alcohol Use Disorder
Treating both ADHD and alcohol addiction is possible. However, it isn’t always easy to tell if someone struggles with both.
One of the big problems is that ADHD or AUD could mask the symptoms of the other. For example, someone with a drinking problem who has undiagnosed ADHD may go to rehab to treat their alcohol addiction, but still feel like they’re having trouble controlling their behaviors after the program ends due to unmanaged ADHD.
Fortunately, you can look for common signs that someone is struggling with ADHD in addition to alcohol abuse, such as:
- Impulsivity or trouble controlling behaviors, even without drinking
- Reward sensitivity, where responses to things that increase dopamine cause bigger spikes in mood or behavior
- Signs of self-medication, such as saying that drinking helps reduce restlessness or rapid thoughts
- Genetic links where parents or other family members were diagnosed with ADHD
If you feel like you or a loved one struggling with addiction may also be showing signs of ADHD, it’s a good idea to mention that when entering a rehab program so the treatment team can account for additional symptoms that may affect recovery.
We aim to treat the full patient when you work with us at United Recovery Project to provide well-rounded treatment. Our team is trained to watch for common symptoms of co-occurring disorders in an effort to identify them earlier and provide better solutions.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Signs that you or a loved one is struggling with a drinking problem that requires treatment include:
- Continued or increased alcohol use despite it causing negative consequences
- Having withdrawal symptoms after quitting drinking
- Feeling like you can’t function normally without alcohol
- Significant changes in mood
- Poor performance at work or school resulting from alcohol use
- Frequently coming up with excuses to drink or feeling like it’s necessary to wind down or focus
Help is available if someone you care about is showing any of these signs. The right treatment program can make a difference when managing ADHD and alcohol addiction.
Treatment Considerations
A good place to start while looking for treatment options is finding a high-quality rehab facility that offers dual-diagnosis treatment. Integrated care that helps with ADHD and addiction is essential to ensure both are managed correctly and achieve high success rates.
Behavioral therapy is often a key part of success when treating co-occurring disorders. Your therapist will get an understanding of how both addiction and ADHD have affected your life, help you develop coping skills, and create strategies for ongoing success. Medication may also be recommended to help manage ADHD effectively.
When you need a high-quality treatment center that helps with co-occurring disorders, we’re here to help at United Recovery Project. Each of our programs is tailored to your needs, whether it’s a:
We’ll help you find the right balance and therapeutic options that lead to success.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or learn more about how United Recovery Project can help.
References
- Luderer, Mathias, et al. “Alcohol Use Disorders and ADHD.” Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, vol. 128, 1 Sept. 2021, pp. 648–660, doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.010. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763421003092
- Staley, Brooke S., et al. “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 73, no. 40, 10 Oct. 2024, pp. 890–895, doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7340a1. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7340a1.htm
- Elkins, Irene J., et al. “Associations between Childhood ADHD, Gender, and Adolescent Alcohol and Marijuana Involvement: A Causally Informative Design.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 184, Mar. 2018, pp. 33–41, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.11.011. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871617305999
- Chadi, N. ADHD and Substance Use. 2020, https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-36803-014
- Garcia, Mathieu, et al. “The Relation between ADHD Symptoms, Perceived Stress and Binge Drinking in College Students.” Psychiatry Research, vol. 284, Nov. 2019, p. 112689, doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112689. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31740216/
- Oscar Berman, Marlene, et al. “Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder and Reward Deficiency Syndrome.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, vol. 4, no. 5, Nov. 2008, pp. 893–918, doi:10.2147/ndt.s2627. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2626918/
