ADD/ADHD Treatment

ADD/ADHD, a hyperactivity disorder, prevents sufferers from maintaining focus when performing tasks such as schoolwork, reading or listening. ADD/ADHD is a highly treatable disorder that can be managed with medication and therapy. Unfortunately, before this disorder is diagnosed, people seek to self-medicate with addictive substances such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, prescription tranquilizers, pain medication, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, cocaine and street amphetamines in attempts to calm their overactive brains and bodies.

Certain stimulant medications, such as Ritalin or Adderall, have proven to be effective at treating ADD and ADHD. To alleviate their symptoms, an alternative method for ADD or ADHD individuals is to use food, as eating can temporarily calm ADD or ADHD's physical and mental restlessness. As the individual's brain is not quick to contain impulses, he or she may compulsively eat without thinking. For some, overeating becomes a compulsion, meaning they cannot stop using food to alter their feelings other than satisfy hunger. Compulsive overeaters tend to crave foods high in carbohydrates, sugars, and salt. For more information on the subject visit our eating disorder treatment page.

By using substances or food to improve their abilities, help them feel better, or decrease and numb their feelings, individuals with ADD and ADHD are doing what is called self-medicating. The problem with self-medicating is that although it feels comforting at first; it will bring on a host of addiction related problems. What starts out as a "solution" can cause major problems, including: addiction, impulsive crimes, domestic violence, increased high risk behaviors, lost jobs, failed relationships, families, and death. Too many people with untreated ADD and ADHD, or learning and perceptual disabilities, are incarcerated and misunderstood when suffering from a co-occurring addiction. So, it is important when we notice ADD or ADHD, to look keep an eye out for possible signs of substance abuse, addictions and eating disorders; and vice versa.

ADD and ADHD often times Lead to Substance Abuse

Once a person has ADD or ADHD, and begins to self medicate using food, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs, they may feel like their symptoms decrease. The person may feel calm, happy, and may be able to sleep. Once binge eating does not work anymore or the drugs wear off, the ADD or ADHD symptoms return, sometimes even worse than before. The individual who abuses substances will continue to use, and eventually build up a tolerance; meaning, they will require more of the drug to get the same effect. Eventually the person suffering from ADD or ADHD will develop an addiction.

Who Will Become Addicted?

Anyone is vulnerable to abusing mind-altering substances to diminish the struggling feelings that accompany ADD and ADHD. There are a variety of reasons why one person becomes addicted and another does not. No single cause for addictions exist; rather, a combination of factors such as genetic predisposition, neurochemistry, family history, trauma, life stress, and other physical and emotional problems may contribute. People may have genetic predispositions for alcoholism, but if they choose not to drink they will not become an alcoholic. The same is true for drug addictions. If an individual never smokes pot, snorts cocaine, shoots or smokes heroin, he or she will never become a pot, coke, or heroin addict. The bottom line is that people with ADD or ADHD as a whole, are more likely to medicate themselves with substances and develop an eating disorder than those who do not have ADD or ADHD.

Treating Both the Addiction and ADD or ADHD at Florida Center for Recovery

In addition to our regular therapeautical addiction treatment programs, Florida Center for Recovery will help clients with addiction and co-occurring ADD or ADHD with:

• A professional evaluation for ADD or ADHD and co-occurring addiction
• Education on how ADD or ADHD impacts their lives, and the lives of their loved ones
• Building social, organization, communication, and work or school skills
• ADD, ADHD coaching and support groups
• Closely monitored medication when medication is indicated

Florida Center for Recovery specializes in treating a wide variety of addictions and co-occurring disorders, for more information on how to get you or your loved one help, e-mail us call us toll- free: