ADHD and substance misuse

[JohnnyMarr]

I have no idea if I'm clutching at straws here, but wondering if anyone has any experience of ADHD and substance misuse? Specifically, whether if someone who has ADHD and is currently unmedicated (and in fact undiagnosed!) is more likely to be able to overcome their addiction issues if they were taking ADHD medication? I've googled, but can't really see a definitive answer to this, so if anyone has any personal experience they'd be willing to share I'd be hugely grateful.

Tricky - if you've abused amphetamines you're not meant to have stimulant adhd meds. But there are non stimulated adhd meds.

The first step is getting the right diagnosis, it may look like ADHD, it may not be ADHD. Anecdotally I eat much less sugary crap when I'm taking my ADHD meds so it makes sense that a regular routine of ADHD meds would reduce unhealthy dopamine seeking behaviours. But not as simple as that if someone has an existing substance misuse issue, as that still needs to be dealt with.

I’ve come across a few people asking this in similar situations, and from what I’ve seen it can vary quite a lot. In my experience, when ADHD is undiagnosed or untreated, some people do struggle more with impulsivity or self-medicating behaviours, so getting a proper assessment can sometimes be an important first step in understanding the bigger picture. I’ve also seen ADHD Certify explain that treating ADHD can help some people feel more emotionally regulated, which in turn may support recovery for certain individuals, but it’s not a standalone fix for addiction. It really depends on the person, so I think you’re right to look for real experiences alongside professional guidance.