ADHD, low dopamine and addiction - has anyone else seen this connection?
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Thought Id share with this group incase others are interested - just discovered (& ordered!) a book about the brains mood boosting chemicals and how to keep those levels topped up naturally. This really resonated for me in respect of my son.
My young adult son is in recovery and has recently been diagnosed with combined ADHD (he has his medication titration appointment at the end of April). Now that he has a clear head and has been clean for a good stretch of time, we can really see how his mood plummets when he's not occupied especially over winter and coming out of it.
With the benefit of hindsight, my husband and I can see how low dopamine (and possibly serotonin) might have played a role in his drug use - trying to perhaps chase something to boost his mood or simply because he was bored.
He now has regular outdoor work, and with the warmer weather arriving, we're hopeful that the combination of that, his upcoming ADHD medication titration, and understanding his brain a bit better is going to make a real difference and keep him in recovery.
Has anyone else noticed this pattern with their loved one? The low mood, the restlessness, the link to dopamine and serotonin? Would love to hear from others - Im really thinking that this kind of stuff - the ADHD, the low dopamine - really plays a big big part in addiction
Link to book here - will let you know if its any good, arrives tomorrow!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DOSE-Effect-Boosting-Habits-Better/dp/0008667330
x
My young adult son is in recovery and has recently been diagnosed with combined ADHD (he has his medication titration appointment at the end of April). Now that he has a clear head and has been clean for a good stretch of time, we can really see how his mood plummets when he's not occupied especially over winter and coming out of it.
With the benefit of hindsight, my husband and I can see how low dopamine (and possibly serotonin) might have played a role in his drug use - trying to perhaps chase something to boost his mood or simply because he was bored.
He now has regular outdoor work, and with the warmer weather arriving, we're hopeful that the combination of that, his upcoming ADHD medication titration, and understanding his brain a bit better is going to make a real difference and keep him in recovery.
Has anyone else noticed this pattern with their loved one? The low mood, the restlessness, the link to dopamine and serotonin? Would love to hear from others - Im really thinking that this kind of stuff - the ADHD, the low dopamine - really plays a big big part in addiction
Link to book here - will let you know if its any good, arrives tomorrow!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DOSE-Effect-Boosting-Habits-Better/dp/0008667330
x
3 reactions
8 replies
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Sorry paperback link here - cheaper (£5.49) - https://amzn.eu/d/0fun4Jij x
Somebody supporting another with alcohol addiction
I’ll definitely give this a read. Thank you! ☺️
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cannabis addictions
I have definitely felt there is a link between my son's addictions and his undiagnosed ADHD. Looking back he has always been a thrill seeker, always needing an element of danger and excitement in his life. My workplace offered a course on neurodiversity and I literally cried when they described the struggles people with ADHD have with depression, and how to calm their thoughts and the need to "self soothe" with alcohol and drugs as their brains will literally not stop racing. It's so sad. Thank you for the book recommendation and good luck to you x
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Thank you Alice x It seems so obvious now just wish we had picked it up earlier 😞
Somebody supporting another with ketamine addiction
I’m totally with you on this one, I fought for years when my son was at school I knew something wasn’t right but the school wouldn’t listen. We had one appointment with cahms and the school wrote to my sons GP basically saying I was an over reacting mother who was comparing my two sons as I had one who thrived at school. My son is now 25, he’s struggled with drink and drugs since 18, he’s has extreme anxiety his moods go up and down like a rollercoaster ride. He has a half brother as his dad and I are l divorced, he has a diagnosis of ADHD and it frustrates me that his dad fought for his last son but not ours. I’ve been told because he’s got a brother with a diagnosis of ADHD my son should go through the system quicker. Is this something you’ve heard? Any help and support would’ve appreciated. Many thanks 😊
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Im sorry you are going through this too Ali. Im not sure about whether its any quicker if a sibling has already been diagnosed. Hopefully someone on here will know.
Good luck with everything xx
Good luck with everything xx
Somebody supporting another with ketamine addiction
Hey all,
I watched a doctor talk about this and it is all connected to low dopamine, basically ADHDers already have low dopamine levels, so when they take the drug it gives them a massive hit, then they do it again as it felt good then after a while the then can’t produce natural dopamine so rely on the drug. Recover also is a little harder, as they struggle with being motivated, routine etc so it’s about small manageable targets and goals. Meds can actually help with recovery being a little easier.
They need to build up their natural dopamine levels by doing things that give then a natural small high, completing a task, walking, work out etc and build them up slowly. X
I watched a doctor talk about this and it is all connected to low dopamine, basically ADHDers already have low dopamine levels, so when they take the drug it gives them a massive hit, then they do it again as it felt good then after a while the then can’t produce natural dopamine so rely on the drug. Recover also is a little harder, as they struggle with being motivated, routine etc so it’s about small manageable targets and goals. Meds can actually help with recovery being a little easier.
They need to build up their natural dopamine levels by doing things that give then a natural small high, completing a task, walking, work out etc and build them up slowly. X
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Thanks 🙏 Im finding the more I learn about the connection the more everything makes sense! x