Do adults with ADHD have a higher chance of drug or alcohol addiction?

Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of addiction, says addiction specialist Mike Dow, PsyD. Learn why both untreated ADHD as well as certain ADHD medications can increase your risk for drug and alcohol abuse.

Transcript

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Taking Adderall will absolutely increase the likelihood for you to engage in other risky and addictive behaviors.

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Many people want to know if taking Adderall is going to make them more at risk for other addictive behaviors. And the answer is, yes and no.

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So the complicated relationship that Adderall has to your behavior and also addiction, is that if you have unmedicated true ADD/ADHD

00:32

and do not treat it, you may be more likely to find that medication that is temporarily giving you

00:39

the dopamine and norepinephrine you need, for example, cigarettes, cocaine, and other stimulants that are going

00:45

to be giving you that feeling that rush that you're needing. Some people may overdose on energy drinks.

00:52

So if you have a true diagnosis and you're not being treated, not being treated for this disorder may make you more apt to go into other addictive behaviors.

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However, for a lot of people who do not have a true ADD/ADHD diagnosis, taking Adderall

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will absolutely increase the likelihood for you to engage in other risky and addictive behaviors.

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Not only things like risky sex, shopping sprees, but also setting you up for addiction to things like cocaine, speed,

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alcohol. Because there is a tolerance that develops with Adderall and you need more and more of the drug to produce the same result, and because your doctor will only

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give you so much at a time, or if you are obtaining this illegally, you probably have a hard time finding this drug, you may find yourself needing yourself

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to go to illegal drugs. And that is why sometimes I see patients who are spiraling out of control with this drug,

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not only on Adderall fueled days, but then their days become fueled with other things, like speed, crystal meth, ecstasy, alcohol,

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all of those other street drugs that are even more addictive. So be careful and talk to your health care professional about what it is that you're needing.

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And if you are addicted to these drugs, also talk to your health care professional, and be honest because they can help to wean yourself off

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in ways that are going to help you to achieve success in sobriety in the long term.