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.

I am waiting for a diagnosis after my daughter being diagnosed with asd at 2, I didn't realise what I was feeling was different, I have used food for my dopamine hit my adult life. Trying to do intuitive eating but it's very hard. I have a lot of issues round food adhd related that I didn't even know untill I stopped and really analysed how I ate, wating for medication and hoping it will help but not quick waiting for a date now after 6 months ago having initial appointment

Totally get this about exercise! I start something for a few weeks, buy the stuff to wear, then give up. Swimming was ok for a while in the summer because you don’t get that feeling of being boiling and totally out of breath (even though I would push to do lots of lengths). I tried to commit to going regularly but it soon fizzled out and I’ve not been since.
I am not diagnosed but fit everything. The Who/NHS questionnaire comes out as the number which means it’s very possible too. It just seems hardly any point with such a long waiting list.

I'm not a big drinker, but I do think I'm addicted to eating. Not necessarily binging but just constant grazing and picking up food even when I'm not hungry. I do it particularly when I'm on my own. If anyone has any books or resources on that issue that I can recommend I'd be happy to read them.

Diagnosed but unmedicated due to cardiac issues. I have issues with food and alcohol as well as previous problems with drugs when undiagnosed, which probably caused the cardiac issues to be honest.

I'm itching to drink now so am instead pulling the skin off my scalp and feet.

The only exercise that's ever worked for me was when I was in a martial arts club. Sounds stupid but I struggle to organise myself to go swimming etc or struggle to motivate myself to workout at home as that requires clearing the floor, getting changed etc etc. I also need the other people rather than solo exercise...I really miss it.

As I've got older I've come to accept myself the way I am and realise it's not my fault and all I can do is keep doing my best to avoid my negative behaviours.

People have mentioned exercise, I got a peloton bike last September and I absolutely love it! I definitely get dopamine hit from it but still have issues with food. The food thing has been problem throughout my adult life the peloton is pretty new

I’m waiting for adhd assessment, over 18 months so far on nhs. I definitely drink to numb my brain. To slow it down so I can focus!

This has been a fascinating thread for me.
I've recently started suspecting that I have ADHD tendencies (prompted by other threads on MN)- struggle to organise tasks and clutter, manage time short and long term, overwhelmed by detail.
I've also wanted to cut down my drinking, but alcohol support threads didn't seem relevant . I don't have a binge/ guilt relationship with it, or a dependence, but I LOVE the way it turns down the volume of the constant monologue in my head. It lifts the ever present anxiety.
I do look for comfort/anxiety relief in food.
I'm interested in finding out more about it all and would welcome more specific references to Gabor Mate and other experts, particularly concerning attachment.

Daily but not too much. Best part of anY day was the first glass of wine at 5 o’clock, - made me mildly euphoric but not so much the next. Elvanse makes me stop ruminating negative stuff, feeling disappointed in myself so don’t need any wine.
Un fortunately can’t sleep much so will have to try a different medication.

BTW DF was a drinker and DB.

I have ADHD and Autism. I’ve struggled with alcohol since I was a teenager. I just don’t have an off switch … as soon as I taste that first drink I end up gulping it down and reaching for the next and I’ll carry on drinking until I literally pass out off throw up. I used to drink like this 4 nights a week.

I read the book “Alcohol Explained” and after the first chapter something just clicked in my head and I literally became teetotal immediately. People think I’m making this up but I swear I’m not, it was January 2022 when I read that book and I’ve been sober ever since. I’d highly recommend it. I don’t even crave alcohol anymore, it never even enters my head.

I read that book and stopped for about a month.
But then I forget the content and start back up again.

I’m on the waiting list for ADHD 360 as I am the same, especially around alcohol. I drink too much and even though it doesn’t impact my life, it can’t be good for my health.

What PPs were saying about jobs is also true - I’ve recently left a relatively sedate job to move to one that is back to back meetings and high stress. I can’t cope do roles where I’m not under pressure because I don’t get anything done.

I do have ADHD coach (who has it themselves) and they are great and totally understands what I’m up against.

There's a waiting list on there too?!

I wonder if they are closed to waiting lists at the moment because I couldn't sign up to it at all recently.

I keep getting stuck on this page.

I prove I'm not a robot and then the page doesn't move on from that.

I've tried about 3 million times.

Forget that, it's finally worked.

This.

My daughter has ADHD and I am waiting for my assessment as I'm almost certain I have it. I have been sober for just over two years as I had a diabolical relationship with alcohol. Sobriety has been life changing for me in so many ways.

How did you do it/what did you do for the dopamine realise?

*release

@ADHDDDDDDDBOOM I went cold turkey and just stopped. It happened after some horrible drunken nights during lockdown where I was a complete mess. I woke up one morning with a horrific hangover and just said "never again". I get my dopamine hits from food and shopping - I try to be kind to myself about the former but I'm really working on the latter. I'm fortunate that we have a good family income so I'm not spending beyond my means but I end up just buying shit for the sake of it.

I started going to AA in Feb and have stayed sober since. I've noticed a huge difference in ADHD symptoms, so much that I went to GP, but who knows when I'll get assessed. I guess I was damping myself down by pouring booze on top. I hoped I'd lose weight without it, but instead eat chocolate (never had a sweet tooth before), vape and online shopping is a problem too, especially on a low income. I also consist mainly of Diet Coke by now. All of this is better than the drinking, but I am struggling.

I do yoga, meditation and all that but tbh need more. Surfing is my thing, in fact any water time. I was pegged non-sporty at school (no interest in ball sports) but once you find what you like it's gold.

Also mildly obsessed at the moment and seeking out alternatives to Adderall...

Am a quit-lit lover too. Really enjoyed Rachel's Holiday, fiction but eye-opening for me re alcohol.

https://www.additudemag.com/high-iq-and-adhd-high-functioning/ A good one for those who need pressure and deadlines at work to get anything done. I do.

Also saved this one https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/insights-and-news/adult-adhd-aspergers/item/adhd-in-women-why-is-it-so-undiagnosed?category_id=36
'ADHD in women is often undiagnosed as symptoms are often different to the ‘standard’ symptoms associated with ADHD.'