ADHD and Substance Use Disorder: Key Challenges in Treatment

Key points

ADHD and substance use often reinforce one another, making diagnosis and treatment particularly complex

Untreated ADHD increases relapse risk and decreases engagement in addiction treatment.

Integrated care that combines medication, therapy, and psychoeducation improves outcomes.

Research shows that carefully monitored ADHD medication can enhance treatment retention and recovery.

By Catherine Schay, MHC-LP, CASAC-T

The co-occurrence of attention -deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and substance use disorder (SUD) presents a complex challenge in psychiatric care. Individually, each disorder impairs attention, impulse control, and executive functioning . When both are present, they form a reinforcing cycle that complicates diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

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