alcohol and adhd

[LilTacoSaurusRex]

please can anyone tell me the best way to stop drinking alcohol when I have such impulsive adhd. I want to go completely sober as I hate that I have no control when I do drink as I’m forever chasing the dopamine and it’s definitely a problem. I can’t just have one or two drinks like normal people as it ends up a mad one all the time

[MorningDanceTrece]

I respectfully suggest investigating a program called SMART Recovery.

They have a 4-point system that is secular and science-based:

1) build and maintain motivation

2) coping with urges and cravings

3) managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

4) living a balanced life

There are over a dozen tools, coping mechanisms, and skills that go along with these four points.

Millions of people have found freedom and recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder with this program.

It is free. They have face-to-face and zoom meetings.

They have a free app for mobile phones and a handbook that contains and explains the skills and four points thoroughly.

I'm sorry to hear about your struggling and can relate to and identify with it.

Or at least I used to be able to.

I no longer struggle or have any problems with alcohol.

SMART Recovery has been a big ingredient in my Recovery Recipe.

I just celebrated 3 years of 100% abstinence from alcohol and the other drugs and in the six years before that I had 99 and a half percent of the time sober

We do in fact have the power of choice.

[Jampacked]

If you look at my response to the message I wrote below to the message with title ' stuck in a drinking Jet Stream' I talk about this. Firstly, absolutely know you are not alone. It is incredibly common to see links between ADHD and binge drinking. It also won't stop you giving up. If you listen to ' Sober Stories' on Spotify the host Terri has ADHD and is successfully sober. So am I. Read up, listen to podcasts reeducate your mind about alcohol. It helps with the rewire. Joining an online or impersonating group can help enormously. Find real life supporters of you can. Literally telling people ADHD and alcohol doesn't mix and you are going to stop to just one or two people who you can trust helps with accountability. In the early days play it safe and don't go to trigger events. Ensure all social activity has a focus that isn't alcohol eg: cinema, mountain climbing, running with a club, walking, morning/ afternoon meet ups fir coffee, cake, fry up, milkshake. Hibernate for a while if you need to and you can emerge a sober butterfly 🦋

[LilTacoSaurusRex in reply to Jampacked]

Thank you so so much for this! This is exactly what I needed to hear. Do you know if there is any books on this matter like how Allan Carr (not the comedian) does with smoking and alcohol? X

[DicCarlson]

A supplement that may help is NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine)...

academic.oup.com/alcalc/art...