ADHD and Addiction Treatment in California
At Westlake Village Recovery, our comprehensive ADHD and addiction treatment in California is designed to help individuals understand both conditions, uncover the roots of their behaviors, and build a foundation for long-term recovery. We combine evidence-based therapies, holistic healing, and compassionate care to help individuals regain balance in their lives.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain’s ability to regulate attention, impulse control, and activity levels. It is not merely a matter of being “distracted” or “restless,” but a complex disorder that can significantly impact various aspects of an individual’s life.
Individuals with ADHD often experience challenges in sustaining focus, appropriately shifting attention, and maintaining consistent motivation. These difficulties do not arise from laziness or a lack of intelligence. Instead, they can be attributed to variations in brain structure and function, particularly in regions associated with executive functioning. Executive function encompasses the cognitive skills necessary for planning, organizing, prioritizing, and monitoring one’s behavior.
Experts identify three main types of ADHD:
- Inattentive Type: Characterized by ongoing trouble sustaining focus, becoming easily distracted, making careless mistakes, and frequently losing or forgetting items. People with this type may appear daydreamy, disorganized, or disengaged, even when they are trying their best to concentrate.
- Hyperactive/Impulsive Type: Marked by excessive talking, restlessness, fidgeting, and acting without thinking. Individuals with this type often find it difficult to sit still, wait patiently, or control their impulses, which can lead to challenges in social and professional settings.
- Combined Type: Involves symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. This is the most commonly diagnosed form of ADHD, with traits from both categories affecting daily functioning.
Diagnosing ADHD requires extensive testing and professional evaluation. Clinicians typically gather information from multiple sources (such as self-assessments, medical history, and input from family members) to understand how symptoms of ADHD manifest across different areas of the person’s life. This comprehensive process ensures that the diagnosis is accurate and that the treatment plan addresses the person’s unique challenges.
Symptoms of ADHD
Common ADHD symptoms include:
- Difficulty maintaining focus or following through on tasks
- Frequently losing items or forgetting appointments
- Restlessness and difficulty relaxing
- Talking excessively or interrupting others
- Struggling with organization or time management
- Acting without thinking about consequences
- Difficulty managing emotions like frustration or anger
- Becoming easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts
- Procrastinating on important tasks, especially those perceived as boring or overwhelming
- Frequently shifting from one activity to another without completing previous ones
In adults, ADHD can manifest differently than in children. Instead of physical hyperactivity, adults may experience mental restlessness, racing thoughts, or an ongoing sense of being overwhelmed. When untreated, these symptoms can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, poor self-image, and a higher risk of turning to addictive substances for relief.
How ADHD Interacts with Addiction
Neurologically, ADHD involves differences in how the brain regulates dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure, motivation, and reward. Because of this imbalance, people with ADHD often have a lower baseline level of stimulation and may seek external ways to boost dopamine levels. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis, or taking stimulants can temporarily correct this imbalance, providing a fleeting sense of calm or focus that feels rewarding. For those struggling with alcohol use, alcohol addiction treatment in Westlake Village can help address both the physical dependence and underlying ADHD symptoms that contribute to substance misuse.
Individuals with ADHD often experience intense feelings, frustration, and rejection sensitivity. Struggling with disorganization, forgetfulness, or repeated criticism can lead to chronic stress or low self-esteem. For some, substance use becomes a way to numb emotional pain or manage these overwhelming thoughts and moods.
Behaviorally, ADHD is marked by impulsivity, novelty-seeking, and difficulty delaying gratification. These traits can make it harder to resist the immediate pleasure that substances provide, even when the long-term consequences are harmful. The impulsivity and reward-seeking tendencies common in ADHD can make experimenting with drugs or alcohol more appealing. Combined with challenges in planning, maintaining routines, and following through, these tendencies increase the risk of developing and sustaining addictive behaviors.
Signs of Addiction
- Increasing tolerance: Needing larger amounts of a substance over time to feel the same effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing physical or emotional discomfort (such as anxiety, irritability, or fatigue) when attempting to reduce or stop use.
- Continued use despite negative consequences: Persisting with substance use even when it leads to strained relationships, declining academic or job performance, or legal or health problems.
- Social withdrawal: Isolating from family and friends, avoiding social interactions that don’t involve substance use.
- Neglecting responsibilities: Failing to meet expectations at work, school, or home because substance use becomes a priority.
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit: Repeatedly trying to stop or cut back but being unable to sustain the effort.
- Emotional instability: Mood swings, irritability, or depression when not using, which can sometimes be mistaken for emotional dysregulation.
When ADHD and addiction coexist, each condition can intensify the other. Substance use can worsen ADHD symptoms, while ADHD can make maintaining sobriety more difficult.
The Value of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
At Westlake Village Recovery, our dual diagnosis program is built on understanding, expertise, and collaboration. We don’t just focus on eliminating substances from the body. We aim to empower individuals to manage their ADHD effectively and develop healthier ways to cope with stress and emotion, so they don’t feel a need to use addictive substances as a tool.
Our team begins with a thorough psychological and medical evaluation to identify the full picture of each person’s needs. This may include assessing ADHD symptoms, substance use patterns, mental health history, and family dynamics. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan designed to meet both ADHD management and addiction recovery goals.
Our treatment integrates evidence-based therapies proven to help with ADHD and substance use. These may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals recognize unhelpful thought patterns, improve focus, and develop healthier coping skills.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Enhances emotional regulation and impulse control, two common challenges for people with ADHD.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): Encourages internal motivation to change, promoting self-awareness and accountability.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): In some cases, carefully monitored medications can help balance brain chemistry and reduce cravings.
Treating ADHD in the context of addiction means addressing executive function challenges, like time management, organization, and emotional control. Individuals receive coaching and behavioral interventions to help them build practical life skills that support long-term sobriety and mental wellness.
ADHD and addiction can strain personal relationships. Loved ones may feel frustrated or helpless, not knowing how to support recovery. That’s why family involvement is essential. Our therapists guide families in understanding ADHD, setting boundaries, improving communication, and fostering empathy.
Beyond clinical therapies, we integrate holistic practices that nurture the mind and body connection, such as yoga, mindfulness, art therapy, and fitness programs. These activities help to reduce stress, boost dopamine naturally, and improve emotional balance — very helpful benefits for individuals with ADHD.
Receive Support for ADHD at Westlake Village Recovery
Reach out today to learn more about our ADHD and addiction treatment in California. Together, we can help you regain focus, restore balance, and rediscover your purpose, one step at a time.
