Addiction, ADHD & the Antisocial Behavior Connection
Brian M.
Murray, MS, IMH
Addiction
and adults with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), particularly
men, can be a problem. It is a problem because there is a street fix for ADHD
that often leads to antisocial behavior in the form of getting into trouble
with the law. Here is how this works. ADHD in children and adults is frequently
medicated with prescription drugs such as Adderall
(Dextroamphetamine/Amphetamine) which are psycho-stimulants that enable the
ADHD sufferer to focus. As a result, they can focus better at work, school and
other areas of life in which they previously had trouble.
What
happens when a person becomes an adult and they still have ADHD symptoms?
Finding a medical doctor to prescribe proper medication is paramount. However,
if this is not done, they can begin to find alternative ways to fix their
problem often in the form of caffeine or other “approved” psycho-stimulant
products that imitate “speed”. On the street, illegal psycho-stimulant drugs
can be found in the form of cocaine, speed, crack-cocaine, methamphetamine,
candy, blow, ice, crank, black beauties, uppers, drivers, rock, snow, toot,
bump, rock and the list goes on. For someone who has ADHD they are not necessarily
drawn by the addiction of the chemical itself as they are the side effects.
Side effects of stimulants include mental alertness and feelings of
exhilaration. What happens when these illegal psycho-stimulant drugs are
consumed is the opposite of being hyperactive; they begin to calm down and are
able to focus better on life around them, which brings some relief. This is
basically why legal “speed” is prescribed (for relief) under medical care.
How is
this connected to antisocial behavior? Think about it for a minute: a person
who has trouble staying focused often has trouble following direction. They
struggle to hold jobs, relationships and frequently get arrested for the same
reason. Law enforcement tells them to do something and their inability to focus
gives reason for arrest. This, in affect, becomes a difficult situation where a
jobless person who cannot focus and has a need for a drug to allow them to
focus often turns to stealing to get more money to pay for the illegal drugs.
It’s a hamster wheel, so to speak, and becomes difficult to break out of.
How does
a person get off the hamster wheel of this addiction cycle? It is going to take
intervention such that the addicted person can get off the street and into a
safe place with access to medical care. Controlled medications are often the
most recommended way of beginning the process of building their life. There are
other naturally occurring methods of getting this under control, such as a
daily exercise regimen and other naturally occurring stimulants such as
caffeine. However, first and foremost is getting a physical evaluation by a
medical doctor.
If you
know of someone who this way of life seems to fit this description, it may be
time to step in as often, people caught in the hamster wheel lifestyle are
hopeless and basically waiting on a miracle to happen. Family can be a huge
asset as well as local rehab sources such as The Salvation Army Adult
Rehabilitation Center commonly known as the ARC.
