Reasons for the Link
Now that the link between ADHD and substance use is proven, the interest shifts to finding and understanding the reasons that the link exists. Rather than having one unified theory, researchers have presented several alternatives that could trigger the relationship alone or in combination with one another. They include:
- ADHD is associated with doing poorly in school and doing poorly professionally. This constant sense of not performing well or not “living up to their potential” leads to feelings of low self-esteem, poor confidence and low self-worth. Universally, these factors contribute to higher substance use.
- People with ADHD typically have poor social skills. These inadequate abilities to relate to others leads to feelings of isolation, loneliness and less connection to the people around them. Isolation and depression are related to higher risk of substance abuse.
- Others believe that people with ADHD have a decreased ability to feel pleasure from everyday life experiences. This has to do with a theory that a neurotransmitter that makes people feel good, dopamine, is released in smaller doses for people with ADHD. The feeling that they are missing something would encourage them to seek out other means of pleasure including risky behaviors and drugs.
- People with ADHD may seek out alcohol and other drugs as a means of self-medication to improve their symptoms. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines can yield improved symptoms in the short-term. Of course in the long-term, they only create dependency and actually worsen ADHD symptoms.
These theories provide a clear explanation for the link between ADHD and substance abuse that is logical and easy to grasp. Knowing why something happens is important, but not enough to stop the trend.
Solutions to the Problem
To stop the trend of people with ADHD being at higher risk for substance abuse, you need effective treatment. Treatment is broken up into four categories, which fortunately, can be used alone or in harmony to achieve the desired benefits: life with fewer ADHD symptoms and no substance abuse. They include:
Medication
Some people think that stimulant medication for ADHD serves as a gateway drug that results in the child becoming involved with others types of drugs. People point to findings that almost 25% of children on stimulant medication will be asked to sell or trade their medication. Other findings show that children who are prescribed stimulant medication are at lower risk of developing substance abuse. This could be due to a lessened need to self-medicate. If the child can perform well in school, build relationships and find pleasure in life with assistance from medication, there will be no need to experiment with illegal drugs. The majority of people prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD does quite well with them and have limited side effects if any.
