Alcohol addiction often develops in response to a mental health condition, especially if that condition has gone undiagnosed and untreated. One example is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which causes serious issues with distraction, impulsive behavior and a compulsion to be active.
The person learns that drinking alcohol calms down the hyperactivity tendencies so that he or she feels better mentally and emotionally. Participating in treatment at an Alcohol Rehab Center in New Castle DE may eventually be advisable if the drinking spirals out of control.
ADHD as a Risk Factor
Experts in the field recognize that ADHD is a risk factor for alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for alcohol addiction. In fact, the probability of people with ADHD developing problematic drinking behavior is up to 10 times higher than individuals without a mental health disorder. Research cited by WebMD finds that around 25 percent of adults being treated for substance abuse have ADHD. Even when children with ADHD receive treatment, they are still significantly more likely to become dependent on alcohol as adults.
Worsening Impulsiveness
Although, at first, people with ADHD may appreciate the calming effects of alcohol, the combination of alcohol use and the mental health disorder can lead to worsening of the impulsivity aspect. These sometimes are the individuals characterized as “wild” because of their willingness to take risks and act without adequate self-control.
Sometimes, they seek help from an Alcohol Rehab Center in New Castle DE because something has gone terribly wrong due to this risk-taking behavior. A car accident, an arrest or an embarrassing public scene are just a few examples.
Treating Co-Occurring Disorders
When someone has a mental health disorder that is associated with excessive alcohol use, this combination is clinically referred to as a co-occurring disorder. Both problems must be treated for addiction recovery begun at a center like Pace Inc. to be effective and to prevent relapse. An adult diagnosed with ADHD may accept medication for treatment or focus on behavioral strategies to manage this issue. Simply receiving a diagnosis can provide welcome insight into a problem that has been ongoing for years. See us to take the first step toward recovery.
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