ADHD Where can one discuss the struggle of having ADHD and being affected by SUD(Substance Use Disorder)?

[RepeatedIgnorance2c-74]

Hello all, will keep this short, we wanted to see or discuss how others have learned to navigate, the intertwine of ADHD and SUD. What are some things you learned, what are some things you discovered in regards to it, how did you learn to adapt and manage them. Lastly how do you learn to identify when something is ADHD or a result of SUD?

If this is the wrong area, we apologize, we wish everyone well, always practice harm reduction please.

 

[Sixx_Psychonaut]

SUD is a very commonly experienced in people who are late diagnosed ADHD where the person can make up for their dopamine that is lacking. I was definiantl;y drawn to methamphetamine as my main drug of choise for a while and it was not something that i have found to be somthing that would be good used long term although early days siince finding out how it reacted psychoactivly with me personally i was starting of at least 300mg and anything less felt like a waste although over time instead of my methamphetamine use increasing in the amount it has like some other people I have spoken to that are like myself our tolerance to it has decreased and unable to tolerate anywhere near that dose.it also lost one of the things that the drug is known for how it causes the need for redosing a aqlot more than other amphetamines

 

[awrt]

I had undiagnosed ADHD for years but nobody picked it up until 3 years ago for me (I am now 37). instead I was told I just have depression and substance abuse issues.

I started drinking around 15-16 - pretty heavily until I was about 30 really. but them from 21 I regularly used every stimulant under the sun until I got diagnosed. I struggled the most with speed and cocaine but tried meth several times (I could tell straight away meth was toooo good and would ruin my life).

but 3 years ago I got diagnosed with ADHD and started dexamphetamine..I have stopped all other drugs and my cravings for them literally vanished. my drinking has almost stopped totally too. I now drink 1 night a week and have 2 light beers.

so there is an example of how undiagnosed ADHD can cause substance issues

 

[neversickanymore]

I had undiagnosed ADHD for years but nobody picked it up until 3 years ago for me (I am now 37). instead I was told I just have depression and substance abuse issues.

I started drinking around 15-16 - pretty heavily until I was about 30 really. but them from 21 I regularly used every stimulant under the sun until I got diagnosed. I struggled the most with speed and cocaine but tried meth several times (I could tell straight away meth was toooo good and would ruin my life).

but 3 years ago I got diagnosed with ADHD and started dexamphetamine..I have stopped all other drugs and my cravings for them literally vanished. my drinking has almost stopped totally too. I now drink 1 night a week and have 2 light beers.

so there is an example of how undiagnosed ADHD can cause substance issues

Interesting.. i have a long standing hypothesis that dexamphetamine can be used to treat substance use disorders.. how long were you on it before your struggles with other substances went away?

 

[awrt]

instantly.

the dexamphetamine wasn't treating my substance abuse disorder..it was treating my adhd.

the undiagnosed ADHD lead to me seeking substances.