Teenage ADHD and Substance Abuse: What Parents Need to Know

Nearly half of adults diagnosed with ADHD struggle with substance abuse at some point. 

What does that mean for teenagers? Can substance abuse be prevented? How is it treated when it’s already present? 

And most importantly, why is ADHD such a significant risk factor for substance abuse? 

To help you find answers to all of these questions and more, we asked our experts at VP MindCare in Anchorage, Alaska, to delve deeper into how these factors may eventually link to higher risks of substance abuse in teens.

The ADHD brain 

ADHD is commonly linked to differences in the brain’s dopamine and norepinephrine systems, which translate into difficulties with executive function. 

Imagine you have to sit down and study for a test. To do that, you must focus on the task at hand, set aside other thoughts — even if they are more stimulating — and proceed with the task. 

ADHD sabotages the process in several ways: attention is not as easily shifted to the task, emotions interfere and contribute to distractions, and the inherent reward does not feel as motivating as it does for neurotypical individuals. 

ADHD is by no means a matter of laziness or poor motivation; it is a matter of being unable to control attention, emotions, and actions in the same way that neurotypical individuals can.

How is substance abuse linked to ADHD?

Substance abuse goes beyond occasional use — it involves a pattern of consumption that leads to negative impacts on physical, emotional, and social well-being. In people with ADHD, several factors may increase the risk for substance abuse:

• The need to self-soothe negative emotions
• The constant search for stimulation (indicating a dysregulated dopamine response)
• The manifestation of impulsivity and poor executive function control

Individuals with ADHD are also more likely to be diagnosed with depression, and it’s no wonder. Their emotions often fluctuate widely, and because their condition can prevent them from performing well in school and personal life, they are frequently labeled lazy and unmotivated. 

This unfair labeling can leave them feeling helpless, as the tactics that work for neurotypical individuals often do not work for them. 

In addition, they do not experience the same sense of reward when checking a task off their to-do list. They require more stimulation and novelty to feel happy and rewarded, which may increase the risk for a teenager to develop a substance use disorder. 

That said, addiction can manifest in many ways — even in the absence of illicit substances. This may include addictions to video games, sugary foods, and other behaviors.

How to lower the risk of substance abuse with ADHD

Teenagers with ADHD need better tools for coping with everyday challenges. For some, this may include psychotherapeutic approaches to help them manage their emotional states and behavior, and it may also involve taking medications to assist with ADHD.

Treating substance abuse in teenagers with ADHD

Substance abuse is often a symptom of a deeper problem — a way for someone to cope with life’s challenges. With ADHD, treating the underlying cause is crucial for reducing the need for substances. 

Many teenagers with ADHD have other comorbidities as well. ADHD symptoms often overlap with a constant state of fight or flight; addressing how a teenager feels daily — whether they are stressed or not — can help diminish the need for self-medicating behaviors.

Worried about your teenager’s risk or already facing challenges with ADHD and substance abuse? Get peace of mind by contacting us to schedule an appointmentat our Anchorage or Lexington, KY office and learn how you can help a loved one better manage their symptoms and reduce the risk of harmful behaviors.