Living with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can be challenging at times. As a result, some people may turn to substances like alcohol or marijuana to find relief. In fact, research has found that nearly half of adults with ADHD will develop a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Also, if you are taking medication for ADHD, it is important to be aware of the potential harms of using alcohol or marijuana with that medication.
Why does someone with ADHD become addicted to alcohol and marijuana?
There are several reasons why there is a connection between ADHD and drug use. Let's take a look at what they are.
Mental health problems
If you have ADHD, it's important to talk to your doctor about your mental health history, as more than a quarter of people with ADHD also have other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety. This is much higher than for people without ADHD.
Experts say that if a doctor can manage a person's depression and anxiety, the use of drugs caused by ADHD will also decrease. If you have an untreated mental condition , you are more likely to "self-medicate" to relieve your symptoms, or turn to substances like alcohol or marijuana.
Traumatic events experienced during childhood
Many people with ADHD have experienced some form of trauma in childhood. Studies show that more than a third of young people with ADHD have experienced physical or sexual abuse before the age of 16.
There is a strong link between childhood abuse and drug use. If you experienced trauma as a child, it can affect your brain and emotional development. This can increase your risk of developing drug addiction later in life.
Accelerated Gateway Hypothesis
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among young people with ADHD, followed by marijuana. Some experts believe that the reason for the increase in drug use among people with ADHD is a concept called "accelerated gateway." Simply put, this means that people with ADHD start using drugs at a younger age than others . This means that when they do, they are more likely to get involved in more dangerous activities and develop drug-related problems as they grow older.
In the past, people thought that ADHD medications like methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin) caused people to turn to alcohol and drugs. But after reviewing data from 15 studies, experts found that there was no link between ADHD medication use and later drug addiction.
Does cannabis really help with ADHD?
Many people with ADHD report that using cannabis helps relieve their symptoms. Although scientific research on this is limited, experts have studied the opinions of people with ADHD about this.
At least three times as many people said cannabis helped their ADHD symptoms as those who said cannabis use was harmful or useless. They said cannabis helped relieve inattentive symptoms.
However, there is not enough data on this yet. So, until experts find out more about the benefits of cannabis for ADHD, it is best and safest to use the ADHD medication your doctor has prescribed exactly.
What happens if you take alcohol with ADHD medication?
You may be wondering if drinking alcohol will affect your ADHD medication. While it is rare to experience serious side effects when drinking alcohol with stimulant medications like methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, or atomoxetine, they are not impossible.
The main thing that can happen when you mix stimulants and alcohol is that you drink more alcohol than you normally would, exposing yourself to both short-term and long-term health risks .
Also, studies have shown that taking alcohol with ADHD medication can make the side effects slightly worse. As with any medication, it's important to check the label or ask your doctor if it's safe to take alcohol with your ADHD medication. If you're not sure, it's best to stay away from alcohol altogether.
Mixing alcohol with ADHD medication can cause complications such as:
- Your ADHD medication may not be working properly .
- You may feel like the medication or alcohol isn't working properly, and you may be tempted to take a higher dose . This can lead to an overdose.
- Dangerous conditions like seizures can occur.
- Just like alcohol, your ADHD medication can be addictive .
What happens if you use cannabis with ADHD medication?
Because marijuana use is illegal, it's difficult for experts to study how it interacts with ADHD medications. However, the limited studies that exist have found things like:
One study has shown that the ADHD medication methylphenidate can interact with marijuana and put unnecessary strain on your heart .
Cannabis use also affects your brain. Studies show that long-term cannabis use can impair neurological function.
This is especially important if you have ADHD. People with ADHD tend to have a slightly weaker frontal lobe structure and function. So if you use marijuana, you're at a higher risk of further brain development delays .
Not only that, cannabis can also reduce the effectiveness of your stimulant medications. This means that even if you take the medication, its effects may be reduced.
Dangerous risk signs and how to ask for help?
If you think you've developed an unhealthy relationship with your ADHD medication, alcohol, or marijuana, the best thing to do is to seek help as soon as possible. If you notice any changes in your behavior or symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. He or she can then check to see if it's normal or if it's caused by a combination of these things.
It is also very important to be aware of the symptoms of an overdose. If you see these, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
| Risk situation | Features to know |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of an Alcohol Overdose | |
| Mental state | Severe mental confusion, difficulty maintaining consciousness, inability to awaken. |
| Physical characteristics | Seizures, irregular or slow breathing, slow or stopped heartbeat, very low body temperature, blue or cold, clammy skin. |
| Symptoms of a Stimulant Overdose | |
| Mental state | Hallucinations, panic, psychosis, aggressive behavior. |
| Physical characteristics | Very high body temperature, very fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke, seizures. |
If you suspect any poisoning, you can also call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Take-Home Message
- There is a link between ADHD and alcohol or cannabis use. This is due to factors such as mental health problems and traumatic events in childhood.
- Medication for ADHD doesn't cause someone to turn to drugs. That's a misconception.
- Mixing alcohol or marijuana with ADHD medication can reduce the effectiveness of the medication, put pressure on the heart, and cause dangerous side effects like seizures.
- Although some people claim that cannabis can help with ADHD, there is not enough scientific evidence to support this. The safest thing to do is to follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
- If you have a problem with substance abuse, don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk openly about this with your doctor.
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