Real Life Stories - Navigating ADHD and Alcohol Abuse

Through the Glass Recovery

E117: Real Life Stories - Navigating ADHD and Alcohol Abuse

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You know that ADHD and alcohol abuse are related; that alcohol intensifies ADHD symptoms. But what is it really like to quit drinking when you have ADHD? What are some of the biggest challenges – and how do you over come them?

In this episode, four people with ADHD share their experience of what it was like to quit drinking alcohol while still navigating ADHD symptoms. By the end of the episode, you’ll be armed with tools proven to work for your unique challenges.

In this episode:

Alcohol made it easy to avoid dealing with ADHD symptoms
The caffeine/alcohol cycle that many peopel fall into
The benefit of understanding that certain behaviors are related to ADHD
Dealing with the emotional dysregulation aspect of ADHD
The benefits and challenges of medication
The remarkable strengths of ADHD
Decision fatigue
The struggle with planning ahead

ADHD resources discussed in this episode:

Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward Hallowell

Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder by Gabor Mate

BrainFM app for focus

Senior Database Architect by day. Husband, Father, Musician, Photographer, Artist, Internet DJ, Astrologer, Designer and Writer by night.
Born and raised in Ottumwa, Iowa and later in Cedar Rapids, moved to Illinois in the 80s to go to DeVry. And never left.
With many attempts at quitting drinking through the pandemic, it finally worked for me on the 20th of March 2023 and I have not looked back since.

My Website:
https://www.davidbrucedavis.com/
My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@davidbdavis

Hello, my name is Amber and I just recently celebrated 2 years alcohol free on Christmas Eve. I live alone with my cats in Rhode Island and work a FT and PT job, saving money, rebuilding my credit and learning how to live an honest and full life.

Growing up as an only child in a toxic family dynamic with alcoholism and undiagnosed mental health disorders running the show, I developed complex trauma that I wouldn’t be aware of until the day I took my last drink and began to uncover the lies that alcohol had me believing for so long. I lacked self love and self worth and believed I was just not built for the kind of life that I desired.

Come to find out I had the power to build that life all along, but alcohol robbed me of the ability to see it. Sobriety has allowed me to see an alternative path in life and recovery is providing the tools that enable me to walk that path. I am in the process of finding my voice and discovering where I can be of service to others who are still stuck in the lie. I hope to someday run a sober living community on a working farm where others can unplug from their toxic environments and truly heal.

Antje first discovered drinking as a way to “fix” her eating disorder. She thought that drinking was more acceptable than binging and purging all of her meals. When drinking grew more and more out of control, she reluctantly considered sobriety in January of 2022. Soon after, she found connection and support in an online sober community. She is so glad to that she took that first, scary step and gave sobriety a chance.

Ben is 46 years old, married with two boys ages 11 and 13. He lives in New Hampshire. Ben was diagnosed with ADHD at age 43. He quit drinking alcohol one month after that diagnosis, after openly discussing addiction with his primary care doctor and beginning ADHD medication. Ben still considers himself an ADHD rookie, and continues to educate himself through books, podcasts, and conversations with friends, family, and medical professionals.