To see for the first time .

[Codypatterson]

It's 6 am and I've been awake for hours with my mind racing. Im 32 and just found out that I have a severe case of ADHD . I can barley focus enough to finish this post. I have been very successful in in business owning a corporation but losing my family and friends . I fought addition my whole life . Everytime I quit it seems nothing changes in my life. My energy won't fade away. Would someone be willing to talk with me. I use alcohol and cannabis to slow my drive to a normal level. cody Patterson

[bmilb]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a hard tine. ADHD is difficult in many aspects, especially with work and social your social life. Have you tried medication for ADHD? Most medications increase serotonin in the brain which help with focus and might make it easier bring your drive to a normal level while avoiding alcohol and cannabis. ADHD can be very overwhelming , I wish you the best.

[sdraine]

Hi Cody,

Just so you know alcohol is a stimulant and can interfere with your sleep.

I just watched this video, I hope it helps you.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=zbhUF...(Not working as expected?)

[nannew]

w/all these medications, I had to address my social life problems. I am 60, and it took me a long time and I still go with it everyday. I think I make huge social mistakes, even using boundaries and limits. ADHD is difficult, but we don't have to feel alone here. Keep going

and I'll write again. Do what you love to do. Nannew

[DGGibbons]

people with ADHD are very prone to addiction do to our brain chemistry. even the most social acceptable (an many times lauded) addiction: workahalism. (for the sake of transparency I am typing this an hour after I should have left work...*sigh*). Many of us with ADHD function best when our stimulation level is 10, to achieve this we will seek out environments that provide this. mental stimulation is different to everyone; running a corporation was obviously stimulating to you. (though you should be careful not to be taken advantage of due to this hyper-focus) you may want to think about talking to a psychologist who specializes in ADHD to find ways to get the same stimulation from non-work related things.

you might even think about trying medication, when my brain wants to turn the stimulation up to ten medication helps it to start at a 7 rather then 1 o it is easier to stop when I need to and to shift focus to friends and family.

It also sounds like you are hoping for huge sweeping changes when you are "clean" which, I hate to say, usually isn't the case. the good news is that when you develop the coping methods I mentioned above it is easier to see the little changes that do happen and focus on them, and sometimes that can make all the difference.

[Elphaba-]

I hear you. I have been sober over a year now, and it has been the biggest blessing in my life. Before I got sober, I tried to manage my mental illnesses on my own through self-medicating, and it was a very lonely time that seemed to be an endless fight. I remember being up at all hours riddled with anxiety, impending doom, and anger. It wasn't until I reached out that I discovered I could live a healthy, full life with my mental illnesses, including ADHD. I built a strong support system, and met many people like myself. The realization that I wasn't alone anymore was an enormous relief and turning point. I was properly diagnosed with mental illnesses I didn't know I had, and had been living with my entire life. I got put on medication that helped me live instead of making me completely numb. I go to classes and weekly therapy, and am constantly learning new skills and tools that help alongside the medication. I just wanted to share my experience, we are all different and need different things. I wish you all the best, you aren't alone.

[Love-cats]

As a social worker specializing in substance abuse AND someone with ADHD I would recommend you not use alcohol as a coping mechanism. I myself did that and it didn’t turn out well.We ADHD’ers struggle for some way to stimulate ourselves and substances seem to meet that need (at least temporarily).

It would take several pages to explore this topic.

Hopefully you have a therapist and can explore healthier coping mechanisms with him/her.