ADHD and booze. How is it for you?

[ADHDDDDDDDBOOM]

Two of my children have ADHD, one mild (no diagnoses just my opinion) and one severe, diagnosed.
The severe one I was in denial about for a long time and kept telling teachers that there's nothing wrong with him, he's just like I was at school.
You can see where I'm going with that...?

Im 99.9% sure I have ADHD, as a child I also had tics and OCD, which stopped around the age of 12ish.

I drink wine, I've cut down significantly over the years but I cannot reach complete abstinence.
Ive started seeing a therapist but im also reading a lot about adhd and alcohol.

I recently read that 45% of those with ADHD have issues with alcohol.
This is due to them filling the dopamine void, dampening the ADHD symptoms (boredom, inability to sit still, anxiety etc) and because of their impulsivity.

It's fucking annoying because I feel like I'm up against it.

I wondered what others feelings, knowledge or experience was of this?

if anyone can recommend books (I've read quit lit to death though) or YouTube Chanel's, I'm always wanting to future my knowledge in this area. I'm mildly obsessed with it at the moment.

Not booze (as I'm a lightweight) but for me it is fried foods/chocolate. I know that it's easy for even 'NT' people to eat lots but... if it is there I will eat the whole lot in one sitting. Not cuz im hungry. Because it's there and I'm bored.

https://www.additudemag.com/

really good and they hyave free webinars

Diagnosed with ADHD here.

Struggled with booze most of my adult life. Have had several periods of about 9 months of abstinence but I always come back to it.

Does your drinking impact your life negatively?

Ooh this is right up my street, I've saved that to my phone, thank you.

Same.

In that it makes me feel tired, fat and shortens my life span, yes.

It doesn't impact my work, parenting or marriage.

I am a very high functioning drinker, work out a lot, hold down a responsible job with early mornings but in the evening I def can easily drink a bottle of wine and often do.

One of the things I notice when I am abstinent for a period is that I have what feels like too much energy and yes, get the crashing boredom. So I think my drinking is less dopamine seeking and more trying to switch off the hyperactivity, I tend to chase dopamine through food although that stopped once I got medicated.

Medicated with ADHD type meds?

This is the bit that whirls around my head slightly. Do I pay ADHD360 for a diagnoses and try meds?

I'll be getting the nurse back pay now soon, and I'm tempted to use that but unsure if it's a massive waste of money.

Yes, medicated with Xaggitin for ADHD although I'm careful not to drink until it's worn off (it's a slow release 12 hour medication, I take it at 6AM).

It definitely, definitely helped me with dopamine seeking and also levelled out mood swings.

Didn't do anything for my interest in booze.

Do you have many side effects with that medication?

My knowledge is greatly lacking about the medication.

Worst side effect for me is chewing the inside of my mouth and not realising I'm doing it and I can end up with sores and ulcers.

I take lots of rest breaks from my meds, haven't taken them for a week or so.

I got quite bad headaches on the higher dose so now I take the lowest dose.

Undiagnosed ADHD but I also drink alcohol every evening as otherwise I just can't sit still and it's really annoying!

I don't do drunk but I feel far too fidgety and restless in the evenings and at least with a glass of wine I can sit calmly!

ADHD is very highly correlated with addictions, alcohol I can take or leave but I love smoking and always go back to it. Happily I've got it down to an occasional treat thing now rather than being every day, so I'm not so worried about the health implications.

You're basically trying to self medicate, proper medication does a much better job at this.

In terms of resources I did a big list on another thread a few days ago which I'll come back and copy and paste. But my top tip would be to search Russell Barkley on any podcast app and then listen to all the interviews he's done. Also his 30 essential things lecture which is on YouTube.

And How to ADHD is also really great.

You might as well seek a GP referral while you decide whether to go private. At least you'll be in the system then even if it does take a few years.

I think some GPs won't do shared care for private prescriptions so there's that to factor in, too.

I got diagnosed in 2021 and under right to choose gp referred me to psychiatry uk, wasn't such a long wait at that point. GP app was April and diagnosis July, the longest wait was for titration which didn't happen until Christmas as far as I can remember.

So presumably less of a wait for adults than it is for children?

How does medication help you?

I'm on methylphenidate and it's really helped my work life by allowing me to focus reducing errors etc. But yes with alcohol I still get the urge to have a drink and I still do a couple of times a week. My medication wears off after around 4 hours so by the evening I'm itching for something to give me that dopamine hit. Wish I could get it from exercise I've heard so many people say that, I have tried but I don't get it :(

I can relate that.
All my adult life I've read or been told that exercise can help.
Ive tried everything and I fucking hate being out of breath, hot, and uncomfortable.

I gave the couch2 5k a really good bash and nearly finished it.
I hated every second. And the feeling of accomplishment afterwards did not outweigh that for me.

i've just signed up to audible to download this:
Divergent Mind, Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed For You
(free trial obv.)

diagnosed adhd earlier this year. 2 of my 3 kids are neuro divergent. it's in my family. tried meds but hated so i am trying to cope without. altho may try again soon as i am in paralysis and leading a crappy half life and get depressed easily. regards drinking i don't have a problem but know i won't ever totally stop. i like the dopamine hit. cannot drink while on meds tho absolute no no made me feel really odd and panicky. agree with teh above PP link to attitude site. really good. talk to you GP get in the system. took me 15 months or so. good luck x

I was diagnosed at 14 when living overseas, never medicated. I grew up in a teetotal home so developed dopamine seeking behaviour around food. I started drinking a few years ago in my late 30s, and the only things keeping me from veering into alcoholism are my family responsibilities, cost, and my age - drinking impacts my sleep so, so badly that I can't cope with the impact long term. It's lucky I never drank as a youngster.

I like how alcohol slows down my brain and immediately relieves a sense of anxiety that I carry with me all the time.

I am pursuing an NHS diagnosis to get medication. I'm hoping that will help me feel calmer and cope with life in general.

i've realised i have been misleading and i should say the meds were actually amazing but i couldnt sleep and that was the hard thing....
i also use food as a dopamine hit.

I've suspected for years that my DH might be ND and after hearing a radio programme (about 2 years ago) about ADHD in adults, it was like a light bulb moment because it all seemed to describe him. I'm interested in this because he is all or nothing regards drinking, but mostly all.

I have stopped drinking completely and feel much better for it. I had to get past the idea that it was the ONLY thing I could do to quieten my mind and relax at the end of the day. I have now found other stuff (yoga, playing my guitar, painting) - I have finally worked out that I need to physically DO something, I can‘t sit and watch watch tv or anything like that. I drank because it kind of switched me off so I could watch tv quietly with everyone else!

This is really interesting and sad at the same time. My 19yr old dd has suspected adhd. She's on a waiting list for diagnosis. Her therapist said not to rule out autism too but apparently she didn't score high enough to get a referral for that too. She drinks way too much. On nights out she has been so drunk she's got herself into some awful situations. She says she has to drink so much as it numbs her anxiety and she cannot cope with the crowds of people in bars. I never actually thought she could be doing it as she needs meds for adhd. She also vapes constantly..

I've tried guitar, knitting, crocheting, craft, puzzles, card making, yoga, Pilates, and much much more besides.

Some work well but only until I'm bored of them.