People with ADHD are more likely to abuse substances. Why? It's a complex relationship, but one reason might be that substances like drugs or alcohol can seem like an easy way to manage symptoms. They can even feel relieving; easy ways to stop feeling so impulsive or restless. Another reason might also be because of these symptoms. Impulsive tendencies can make it hard to quit even when someone knows they're struggling. Sheridan Grove Recovery provides co-occurring ADHD and addiction treatment at our center in Aurora, CO.
Understanding co-occurring ADHD
ADHD complicates the struggle with addiction. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects your brain’s executive functioning system. Executive functioning helps control how you pay attention, regulate your emotions, control impulses, and even stay on task. When ADHD co-exists with a substance use disorder, it creates a unique set of challenges.
How ADHD and substance use influence each other
The core symptoms of ADHD—impulsivity, a need for stimulation ("dopamine seeking"), and difficulty regulating emotions—can make you more vulnerable to substance use. You might use alcohol to calm your racing thoughts or stimulants to feel a sense of focus you can’t otherwise achieve. You may even just experiment with drinking or drugs and then find it hard to quit because it floods your brain with feel-good chemicals called dopamine.
Over time, this pattern of self-medication creates a difficult cycle. Substance use worsens ADHD symptoms like inattention and disorganization, making it even harder to manage your daily life. Eventually, it becomes difficult to tell where the symptoms of ADHD end and the effects of substance use begin.
Common signs of co-occurring ADHD and addiction
You may be living with a dual diagnosis if you recognize these patterns:
- A history of starting and stopping projects, jobs, or relationships frequently.
- Using substances to "quiet your mind," focus on a task, or manage overwhelming feelings.
- Chronic feelings of restlessness, boredom, or being overwhelmed, even when you are sober.
- Difficulty stopping substance use despite clear negative consequences in your life.
- Ongoing struggles with organization, time management, and remembering important appointments.
ADHD often goes undiagnosed
Many adults enter addiction treatment without ever knowing they have ADHD. This is especially common if you were not a "hyperactive" child or if your symptoms were dismissed as daydreaming or a lack of effort. Years of unexplained struggles can take a heavy toll on your self-esteem, leading to feelings of failure, anxiety, and depression. For many, turning to substances becomes a way to cope.
Why integrated treatment matters
When you live with both ADHD and a substance use disorder, treating only one condition is not enough. Lasting recovery depends on addressing both at the same time.
If your underlying ADHD symptoms—like impulsivity and emotional distress—remain untreated, your risk of relapse is higher. You might get sober, but the feelings and symptoms that drove you to use or made it hard to quit in the first place are still there.
Research shows that an integrated treatment approach leads to better outcomes. People who receive care for both their substance use and their mental health have higher rates of sustained sobriety, improved mental clarity, and a greater overall quality of life. At Sheridan Grove Recovery, our entire philosophy is built on this principle of healing the whole person.
Professional support right here in Aurora.
Our co-occurring ADHD treatment approach
Your journey forward is unique. That’s why our treatment program takes a carefully coordinated approach. Our professionals provide stability, insight, and practical skills for managing both ADHD and addiction.
Comprehensive evaluation:
Your care begins with a thorough and respectful assessment. We take the time to understand your personal history, symptoms, and goals. Using clinical interviews and standardized rating scales, we work to get an accurate picture of what’s going on.
Personalized care plan:
Based on your evaluation, we collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan includes clear, measurable goals for both your recovery from substance use and your management of ADHD symptoms.
Medication management:
For many, medication is a key tool for managing ADHD. Our experienced psychiatric team can safely prescribe and monitor ADHD medications (both stimulants and non-stimulants) in a recovery setting. We approach this process with extreme care, ensuring your medication supports your focus and stability without compromising your sobriety.
Talk therapies:
In individual and group therapy, you will explore the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. You will gain a deeper understanding of how ADHD has impacted your life and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping.
Executive function coaching:
We'll help you learn practical, real-world skills. Our team helps you build strategies for time management, organization, and planning. You’ll learn to use tools like calendars, apps, and structured routines to bring order to your daily life.
Relapse prevention & emotional regulation:
A core part of our program is learning to manage ADHD-related impulsivity and emotional intensity without turning to substances. You will develop skills to tolerate distress, navigate emotional highs and lows, and respond to triggers in a healthy way.
Levels of care at Sheridan Grove Recovery
We provide different levels of care to meet you where you are in your journey.
- Medical detox: For many, recovery begins with safely withdrawing from substances under medical supervision. Our compassionate team will manage your withdrawal symptoms comfortably while beginning the assessment for co-occurring ADHD.
- Inpatient residential treatment: Our inpatient program offers a 24/7 supportive and structured environment. Being in an immersive setting is ideal for many people with co-occurring ADHD, as it removes outside distractions and provides the routine and intensive therapy needed to build a strong foundation for recovery.
What to expect on your journey with us
We know that the thought of starting treatment can be intimidating. Our goal is to make the process as clear and supportive as possible.
From your first confidential call with our admissions team, we are here to help. We offer free insurance verification and may be able to arrange for transportation. Your care team will consist of licensed therapists, medical providers, and coaches who work together to support you. Before you complete treatment, we will work with you to create a detailed aftercare plan, and you will become part of our supportive alumni community to help you stay connected long after you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Treatment is integrated, meaning we address both conditions simultaneously. Therapy will include a focus on how ADHD symptoms trigger substance use, and you’ll learn skills to manage both. Medication plans are also carefully coordinated.
Yes. Our medical team has expertise in safely managing ADHD medications in a recovery setting. We monitor clients closely to ensure medication is used as a tool for stability, not as a substance of abuse.
The length of stay varies for each person. It depends on your individual needs, the severity of your conditions, and your progress in treatment. We focus on creating a strong foundation, not on a specific timeline.
Our inpatient program requires you to live on-site to focus fully on your recovery. We can provide documentation to support a medical leave of absence from work or school.
Recovery with a view. Rooted in the Rockies.
Lasting recovery from addiction is possible, even when complicated by ADHD. It begins with compassionate, expert care that treats you as a whole person. Your healing journey deserves care you can count on. Whether you’re ready to begin treatment or just have a few questions, our team is here to help 24/7. Contact Sheridan Grove Recovery today and take the first step toward a clearer, more stable future.
