ADHD and addiction?

[Rubinator]

I didn't know where to post this.... (as I'm sitting here having a lovely morning craving for a fricking drink! :-( ) ... Went to see a therapist yesterday! I think I got out about everything that was on my mind and she thinks I have ADHD that was never diagnosed... I have wondered myself about that for some time but you don't know until you get tested - my desk is a mess and I never finish projects but have 10 half started ones.... so, maybe so. I also revealed to doc that I had had a bad bout with meth 20+ years ago (I almost didn't do that but I wanted to be totally honest) and I'm concerned since I think doc wants to see me on some meds, that she will not recommend the stimulant (ritalin, adderall, etc) route but go the antidepressant route.... BUT I have just found my libido for the first time at age 41 and I do not want to risk losing it again via side effects of antidepressants.... she also diagnosed me with 'generalized anxiety disorder' (WTF?) - I have never felt particularly anxious tho for the past 4 or so days of sobriety (I have 18 days now of not drinking!) the general anxiety/dread/stress is pretty strong and very uncomfortable. I took a whole kpin yesterday but plan on trying not to do that today - but I'm a good addict so if I have it I will likely take it... :/

Has this community seen much correlation with ADHD and addictions?

 

[caseface99]

I'm no doctor - but I would strongly recommend not letting a doctor "diagnose" you with any sort of psychological disorder until you have quite a bit of clean time. You're body is being deprived of something that your brain rewired itself to believe your body needs for survival... Removing that chemical is making your brain go all haywire and it's going to take some time for things to settle down and return to normal. Anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating just to name a few of the symptoms that can be expected. If your doctor knows you had a serious drinking problem and have less then 20 days sober - I don't know how much you should trust him/her. He/she should be aware of the fact that withdrawal symptoms, especially psychological withdrawal symptoms, can last weeks if not months with post acute withdrawal symptoms. There is literally no way to tell the difference right now, between whats a symptoms of not drinking and what's a problem on it's own. The only way to figure that out is to stay sober and no take prescription drugs for at least a few months. Obviously talk to a doctor about this, since I haven't been to medical school and I'm not qualified to advise you on this - but if your current Dr. doesn't acknowledge this I would really strongly encourage you to get a second opinion. It's a sad truth but some Dr.s really just push for medications no matter what. If you start meds now you will never know what was really a problem and what might have gone away on it's own as you continued to not drink.


Best of luck and keep up the good work!