Beninoliveoil

Each year, more and more children are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).  These children suffer from symptoms ranging from general hyperactivity, to complete lapses in attention over short spans of time.  ADHD is a serious disorder in itself; but it has now been proven that kids with ADHD may be at greater risk for substance abuse as a future adult.

Researchers of ADHD studies believe that there are many causes as to why ADHD suffering children have greater risks to becoming future substance abusers.  Some of these reasons have to do with the parents, some with up-bringing, and some with the intensity of their particular disorder.  Although each case of ADHD is somewhat different, the studies have measured a general mass of children suffering from this disorder.

Here are some of the reasons as to why ADHD children may be at greater risk for substance abuse in their adulthood:

Modeling Their Parents:  It is no secret that parents of ADHD children can be far more stressed than the average parents.  In not only dealing with consistent distractions and mood swings in their child, they also are taking additional time out of their day to medicate their child.

Parents of ADHD children have a lot ‘on their plate’, and stress may lead to alcohol or drug abuse in such parents.  Children model their parent’s behavior, whether recognized or not.  If a child sees their stressed parent leaning on a substance for support, they may do the same in their teenage or adult years.

Life Struggles and Failures:  As an ADHD child, daily struggles are a normal part of life.  Having to work extra hard to study for school, or trying to listen more to understand what is being said each day, becomes a normal activity.  In this, ADHD kids can get just as stressed as their parents.  If these stresses are not talked about regularly, via a counselor, therapist or even with parents, the aggravation builds up within the child.

Later, that aggravation may lead to an adult who turns to alcohol or drugs as a release.  Frustrations that come with being a child effected by ADHD are high.  The idea that a substance can calm these frustrations may sound appealing at an older age.

Surrounding a child facing ADHD, with positive role models, may waiver the cycle, and beat the odds of conducted research.  Listening to a child’s needs, and although strenuous, taking each day as a new day is important.

If you or an adult you know is suffering with drug or alcohol abuse resulting from ADHD as a child or any other factor, it is in best interest of the patient that a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center be contacted.  Nobody should have to face recovery from substance abuse, alone.