ADHD and Substance Use Disorders: How to Recognize and Manage Addiction (w/ Timothy Wilens, M.D.)

Research suggests that ADHD is a risk factor for substance abuse disorder (SUD). An estimated 15 to 25 percent of adults with a lifetime history of SUD also have ADHD. A variety of factors play a role in the connection — everything from genetics to the dopamine receptors in the ADHD brain.

Understanding the high correlation between ADHD and SUDs, as well as the catastrophic effects SUDs have on an individual and family, are key in helping doctors prevent addiction in individuals with attention deficit. In this hour-long webinar replay, Dr. Timothy Wilens Learn explains the link between ADHD and substance use disorders, and steers listeners toward effective treatment.

Download the slides associated with this webinar here:

ADHD & Substance Use Disorders
2:03 ADHD Overview
3:50 SUD is a Risk Factor for ADHD
8:12 What Links ADHD and SUD?
9:47 Prevention of SUD in ADHD Youths
13:47 Treatment Considerations in ADHD+SUD
14:27 Diagnostic Dilemmas in ADHD + SUD
20:13 Strategies for ADHD and SUD
21:34 Stimulant Misuse and Diversion
29:19 Conclusion
32:02 Q&A


Related Resources:

1. Top Article: Does Stimulant Medication Cause Addiction?

3. ADHD and Addiction: The Truth About Substance Abuse

4. How to Treat a Teen Who Is Self-Medicating with Marijuana

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So I'm screwed my ADHD has me depending on substances and because of substances it intensifies my ADHD and I'm 32 behind in life and trying to get my stuff together but don't really know what to do and I'm not at the point where I can just go off to rehab for a year or something like that because I still have to pay bills and help my family but I'm single and I'm alone in life and the loneliness and stress from that is also making things worse