Does Alcohol Make ADHD Worse?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and it is a developmental disorder that is becoming more widely understood and diagnosed in the UK. According to Nice (National Institute for Health Care and Excellence), around 5% of UK children and 3 – 4% of adults have ADHD.

People who have ADHD usually have issues with being impulsive, paying attention and being hyperactive.

In some cases, ADHD can last into adulthood, and this could bring problems if not properly dealt with. Addictions are an issue that any person can face, but there is a clear link emerging between alcohol and ADHD, with some studies suggesting that ADHD is 5 to 10 times more common in people with an alcohol addiction.

It’s important to understand how ADHD affects people and why it can drive people to alcohol. You also need to know how alcohol and ADHD symptoms interact and if, in fact, rather than offering relief, alcohol only causes more problems.

Understanding ADHD Symptoms

You may be familiar with ADHD, but like similar developmental conditions, such as autism, it’s better to see it as more of a wide umbrella term. Every person with ADHD experiences it differently, and there are three main types of ADHD that people are often grouped into.

Hyperactive and Impulsive Type ADHD

People with this type of ADHD usually display symptoms around hyperactivity and impulsivity. Symptoms include fidgeting, mood swings, tics, talking too much and interrupting people, and engaging in risky behaviours.

Inattentive ADHD

To have this type of ADHD you are more likely to experience symptoms such as losing important items regularly, struggling to stay focused, being bad at organisation and an inability to finish tasks.

Combined ADHD

This is the most common type of ADHD and it means to have a bit of everything. For an adult to be diagnosed with combined ADHD you need to experience five or more symptoms in each of the other types.

ADHD brings challenges such as inattention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation. Struggles with executive functioning can particularly make it hard to live a normal life. Executive function is basically your management system, the part of your brain that helps you organise, multitask, manage your time, plan, and pay attention.

ADHD can get in the way of all that, making it hard for you to hold down a job, keep healthy relationships and deal with life’s stresses in a healthy way.

These types of struggles are why there are high rates of co-occurring disorders with ADHD, the most common being depression, anxiety, bipolar and substance abuse issues.

The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain and Behaviour

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning that it slows everything down happening in your body. Your Central Nervous System (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for the functioning of your body.

The Effects of Alcohol on the CNS

There’s no escaping that alcohol will impact your CNS. In the short term, it can cause unsteady movement, lead to slurred speech, relax you, slow down your reactions and make you more impulsive.

Alcohol can alter your behaviour, especially making you seem happier, more aggressive, more daring and unable to censor yourself.

If you suffer from alcohol addiction, long-term damage to your CNS can include dementia, frequent blackouts and nerve damage.

Short and Long-term Effects of Alcohol

Other short-term effects of alcohol include:

• Euphoria
• Impulsivity
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness

Long-term effects of alcohol include:

• Brain and nerve damage
• Cancer
• Liver disease
• Mental health issues

The Overlap Between ADHD and Alcohol Effects

There are many similar alcohol effects and ADHD symptoms, including:

• Impulsivity
• Sleep issues
• Mood changes
• Concentration issues
• Executive function problems (memory, decision-making, planning)

How Alcohol Can Worsen ADHD Symptoms

The key question coming is was, “Does alcohol make ADHD worse?”

The answer is a resounding yes. Alcohol can exacerbate key ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity, decision-making and emotional regulation.

Alcohol’s Impact on ADHD Symptoms

If you already struggle with impulse control, alcohol will take away this last bit of control, leading to risky behaviour and a higher risk of binge drinking. This can feed into poor decision-making. If you are suffering from mental health issues, too, alcohol may initially provide some relief, but it will worsen your problems. With your decision-making, this could lead to fatal consequences.

Lack of emotional regulation can lead to mood swings. You may become more violent under the influence of alcohol or more depressed. This unpredictability can also lead to longer-term problems.

ADHD Medication Interference

Prescribed stimulants are usually given to treat ADHD symptoms. Alcohol combined with ADHD medications can have serious effects.

The medication can offset the depressant effects of alcohol, leading to binge drinking. Alcohol will stop the medication from working effectively, and mixing substances increases the risk of alcohol poisoning and other side effects. These include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heart attack
• Seizures

Increased Risk of Alcohol Addiction

There’s plenty of evidence to support the claim that ADHD increases the risk of alcohol addiction. Some suggest that up to 43% of people with ADHD might develop a drinking problem.

A 2020 study found that people with ADHD are more likely to binge drink. Binge drinking regularly is a clear sign of a developing addiction. Another study found that childhood ADHD is linked to earlier alcohol use and more frequent and heavy drinking.

Treatment Considerations for Co-Occurring ADHD and Alcohol Use

ADHD and alcohol addiction are complex and can become closely intertwined in a person. The only way to properly deal with co-occurring ADHD and alcohol use is integrated treatment.

Behavioural Therapy

A comprehensive and nuanced treatment approach involves behavioural therapies, medication management and support groups. Your time at rehab will involve going through detox and then taking part in group and individual therapies to better understand your addiction and learn better coping mechanisms.

Support Groups

Support groups provide a safe space to get support, receive encouragement and be held accountable when needed.

Medication Management

Treating ADHD with medication is effective and an integral part of symptom management. Use of medication during alcohol rehab though does bring the risk of misuse and simply shifting a person’s addiction from one substance to another.

At rehab, your medication regime can be closely monitored to ensure your safety and that what you are taking is working.

At the Rehab Directory, we can help you find a rehab centre that is perfect for your situation and capable of effectively helping with your addiction and ADHD.

Get Help with Getting Help Today

ADHD is not a life sentence. It can present challenges, but they can be overcome healthily. Alcohol, while seeming like a relief at first, will only worsen problems around your ADHD, potentially leading to a life-changing addiction that is hard to conquer.

If you are concerned about ADHD and alcohol in your life, we at the Rehab Directory can help. We are an advocacy team that provides advice on the best rehab for you.

To start the process of getting help today, call us at 0330 0414 845.