Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a disorder that inflicts about two million children in America, notes the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. ADHD can be a persistent mental health disorder that if it goes untreated may lead the person to turn to drug abuse as a way to cope.
Basics
ADHD is diagnosed in children and adults alike, but generally is present from childhood even if it goes undiagnosed until adulthood. ADHD can significantly disrupt a person's life and can make it hard for him to function in classrooms and jobs that are set up for people without ADHD.
Types
There are three ways that ADHD can manifest. NAMI reports that the three forms of ADHD are inattentive type; hyperactive-impulsive type; and combined type, which means that the person displays symptoms from both the other two types.
Drug abuse occurs when a person continues to use the drug despite the negative effects it is having on her relationships and responsibilities, such as work and school. With drug abuse, unlike addiction, a person still has some control over when she uses the drug and how much she takes.
Significance
Drug abuse can play a number of different roles in ADHD patients. According to NAMI, one of the contributing factors in the development of ADHD is the intake of alcohol during pregnancy. When women abuse alcohol during their pregnancy they are increasing the risk that their child will have ADHD.
Alcohol abuse can play a role in the life of a person with ADHD. The Mayo Clinic reports that people who suffer from the symptoms of ADHD, and have been dealing with the setbacks and the failures associated with ADHD, are at an increased risk for drug abuse. These people turn to drugs as a way to deal with the negative effects associated with ADHD. The problem is that drug abuse may only make the symptoms of ADHD worse and harder to treat.
Treatment
ADHD is generally treated with a combination of medication management and psychotherapy. When choosing a medication for a person with a co-occurring drug abuse problem, a physician will have to take into consideration the addictive nature of the drug; for instance Ritalin and Adderall will generally not be prescribed because of their addictive qualities. The mental health professional will need to determine whether the drug abuse and ADHD can be treated at the same time or if the main focus will be to overcome the drug abuse before fully dealing with the symptoms of ADHD. Psychotherapy might include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, life coaching and support groups.
Warning
A person with ADHD who is abusing drugs may display the following signs of drug abuse: bloodshot eyes, changes in appetite and sleep, lack of personal hygiene, slurred speech, tremors, poor performance at school or work, secretive behaviors, changes in friends, mood swings, paranoid or anxious feelings. Pay attention to the person with ADHD. If you suspect drug abuse, notify the therapist treating the person. Discuss your concerns with the person who is abusing drugs.
