Treatment for ADHD and Addiction in West Palm Beach, FL
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can turn everyday tasks into significant challenges.
It’s marked by continuous inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Sometimes, this mental health disorder can co-occur with substance abuse problems. But, with proper diagnosis and tailored treatment, individuals with ADHD and addiction can effectively manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
Here at Ambrosia Treatment Center, we treat ADHD and substance abuse as co-occurring disorders. We offer residential treatment in addition to partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. Our team understands the challenges people face when struggling with a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. So, we offer a dual diagnosis program to help those suffering from drug or alcohol abuse along with mental health challenges.
It’s important to note that everyone can display occasional symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. However, in individuals with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe, frequent, and persistent, leading to functional impairments in various aspects of life, such as academic performance, work, and relationships.
The exact cause of ADHD is not known, but a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors is believed to contribute. Diagnosis is typically made by healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, based on a thorough assessment of the individual’s behavior, symptoms, and history.
Treatment for ADHD often involves a multimodal approach, including behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and, in some cases, medication. Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medications, are commonly prescribed to help manage symptoms by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
It’s important for people with ADHD symptoms or those concerned about a loved one to seek professional evaluation and guidance for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Getting a proper ADHD diagnosis will help to ensure people receive proper treatment.
Types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (ADHD-I):
- Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
- Frequent careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities
- Forgetfulness in daily activities
- Easily distracted by unrelated stimuli
- Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (ADHD-HI):
- Fidgeting or tapping hands and feet frequently
- Inability to stay seated in situations where it is expected
- Talking excessively
- Difficulty waiting for one’s turn
- Impulsivity, such as making hasty decisions without considering the consequences
Combined Presentation (ADHD-C):
A combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms
ADHD and Addiction: Understanding the Connection
When ADHD and substance abuse co-occur, treating only one condition without addressing the other leads to a cycle of relapses in recovery attempts. So it is crucial to address the symptoms of both conditions.
People with ADHD typically struggle with impulsivity, often leading them toward self-medicating using substances, a factor that amplifies the risk of addiction. This is caused by a shortage of dopamine. This neurotransmitter is linked to both motivation and pleasure. To satisfy their cravings for stimulation, those suffering from ADD/ADHD sometimes engage in behaviors such as harmful substance use.
Individuals struggling with ADHD must receive professional treatment to learn how to cope and manage symptoms like these, reducing their chances of developing addictive behaviors.
The symptoms of ADHD can be challenging to live with, which can cause some people to turn to substance use. People with ADHD commonly struggle to focus and control their impulses. Unfortunately, this can lead some to use drugs or alcohol as a source of solace.
The genetic and environmental components that go into the development of ADHD and addiction create a complex pattern. Genetics plays a part, but it must be noted that where someone grows up also impacts their susceptibility to these conditions.
Genetics plays an undeniable role in ADHD and addiction, especially with the increased likelihood of substance abuse problems. Children with ADHD are likely to have a relative also diagnosed with this disorder. It is not just single genes responsible for these risks—multiple genetic factors combined result in higher odds of developing either one or both conditions.
Environmental factors such as exposure to toxic substances, including tobacco products and alcohol, can significantly contribute to the emergence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders.
Trauma like abuse or violence may also cause an increase in these symptoms among young adults, leading to mental health problems in adulthood. Such experiences are known for manifesting issues concentrating on tasks together with hyperactive behavior combined with impulsiveness. All this serves as a risk factor associated with deficits linked to ADHD, particularly when it comes to drug or alcohol use later down the line by those affected.
The home and peer contexts in which a person grows up can strongly influence their likelihood of developing ADHD or addiction. Things like challenging family situations, incidents of abuse, neglect, and exposure to friends engaging in dangerous practices and substance misuse can all significantly raise the risk for these conditions. The pressure from peers may affect a person’s decision-making abilities, potentially driving them towards abusing drugs to fit into a group better or cope with social issues.
This impact doesn’t end in adolescence either. Social media has been connected to signs associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Understanding how powerful external environments are is essential when trying preventative approaches or curing these disorders such as addiction or ADHD symptoms.
Comprehensive Treatment Approaches for Dual Diagnosis
Integrated intervention also plays an important role. Combining various therapeutic methods targets mental health issues along with substance abuse patterns to provide comprehensive care.
Treatment strategies that address both ADHD and drug abuse symptoms require behavioral interventions and cognitive therapy. Such practices strive to improve executive function, address related issues, and develop life skills. These can increase self-confidence as well as effectiveness in one’s daily tasks improving their overall well-being.
Two examples of such treatments are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These procedures focus on modifying negative behaviors and thought patterns whilst developing emotional regulation techniques plus betterment of personal relationships, all essential for a successful recovery period.
At Ambrosia Treatment Center, we offer the following therapy programs:
- Individual Therapy
- Targeted Group Therapy
- Physical and Holistic Activities
- Full Case Management Services
- Art Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Psychiatry and Pharmacology
- Adventure Based Therapy
- Evidence-Based Therapeutic Approaches
- Massage, Chiropractor, and Acupuncture Therapy
- Introduction to the 12-Step Program
- Experiential Therapy
- Alumni Services
- Holistic Therapy
If you need to seek treatment for substance use disorders and mental illness, we are here to help you. Our South Florida facility can help people with ADHD and drug abuse or alcohol dependence through our various treatment modalities.
Individuals living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may need to take medication to address their symptoms. ADHD medication options may include stimulant medications:
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Focalin
- Daytrana
- Adderall
- Dexedrine
- Vyvanse
There are also non-stimulant treatment drugs, including the following:
- Strattera
- Kapvay
- Intuniv
- Quelbree
Some ADHD medications can be addictive, so medication management services can be effective in helping people stay on track.
Having family, friends, and a professional network as part of the support system is essential for attaining long-term sobriety. With access to trained personnel, individuals can be provided with personalized advice about addressing ADHD symptoms and the underlying cause of their substance abuse.
These social networks are beneficial in aiding people suffering from addiction by helping them stay away from loneliness, creating connections that do not involve drug or alcohol consumption, and rebuilding relationships during the recovery process. Mending bonds between family members while also restoring trust among parties involved.
Ambrosia Treats ADHD and Addiction in Singer Island, FL
Our facility uses evidenced-based techniques to assist long-term recuperation including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). These methods bring optimism by working through the intricacies of mental health challenges linked to ADHD and addiction.
For anyone looking for aid dealing with combinations of these conditions in Florida, Ambrosia’s unique program promises a brighter future full potential realized on this path toward healing. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services.
Dr. Alam is an internationally renowned psychiatrist with academic affiliations with Northwestern University and University of Illinois, Chicago where he completed his residency training. He has been a principal investigator for over forty studies and has been involved in research leading to the approval of most psychiatric medications currently on the market. He is the founder of the Neuroscience Research Institute which continues to conduct research on cutting edge medication and interventional psychiatry. Dr. Alam is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has won several awards and has been featured extensively on radio and television.
