Jan 21
Today, Tracy talks about ADHD and Addiction. She doesn’t like to talk about things that she hasn’t experienced personally but so many members in her Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart A** Women did struggle with addiction so she decided that the subject warranted a podcast episode. Have you ever wondered why those of us with ADHD have up to a 10 times higher likelihood of substance abuse and addiction? Do you know what Reward Deficiency Syndrome is? Have you ever felt less satisfaction than you expected to feel once you reach a goal? Do you often feel like you’ve not accomplished enough? Discover how our dopamine circuitry can create addictions and what’s behind the overlap that we often see between creativity, talent, depression, addiction and ADHD.
Learn why young adults use substances to self-medicate and at what age they typically start. Discover the biggest myth about stimulant medication and addiction. Exercise is the ADHD brain’s best friend. Learn why it also helps us refrain from self-medicating. Tracy then shares information that she just learned about AA, recovery centers, medical detox programs, and sober living environments from a book called The Sober Truth by Harvard professor Lance Dodes who’s been treating people with addiction for 30 + years. It is really eye-opening. Tracy also shares information that she just learned from psychotherapist Perry Janssen about trauma and addiction. Learn about the concept called spontaneous remission and what kinds of approaches to treating addiction work best for those of us with ADHD.
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""Exercise helps for everything, but it especially helps here. We are moving and challenging ourselves physically."
- Tracy Otsuka
"We also need someone who understands how ADHD and addiction are intertwined. We need education, when we understand when we believe we are much more apt to move forward and do what needs to be done and maintain our motivation."
- Tracy Otsuka
"To me, the real question that we should be asking is not are you going to meetings? And are you drinking? It should be? Why are you drinking, the addiction is just a symptom of why you are drinking."
- Tracy Otsuka
- Tracy discusses the link between ADHD, creativity, and addiction, debunking the myth that one must have depression or addiction to be talented.
- Tracy discusses the misconception that ADHD medication can lead to addiction, citing studies that show the opposite: appropriate treatment in childhood reduces the risk of drug abuse by 50%.
- Exercise is found to help individuals with ADHD, as it increases dopamine in the brain and keeps the brain stimulated.
[09:53 - 14:24] ADHD, Addiction, and Treatment Options
- Tracy discusses the prevalence of addiction among those with ADHD, highlighting the need to address positive emotion and avoid negative emotion in treatment.
- Tracy her research on the need for personalized treatment plans, including education, exercise, nutrition, and sleep, rather than relying solely on medication.
- Tracy discovers that most treatment centers are based on faith healing, with a low success rate for AAA (5-10%).
[14:24 - 24:51] ADHD Treatment and Self-Empowerment
- Tracy shares her experience with the book "The Sober Truth" by Dr. Dodes, mentioning that she found it relatable and valuable, especially since Edward Hallowell, MD, recommended the Center for Motivation and Change.
- Tracy also highlights the center's client-directed approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, non-shaming philosophy, and focus on positive self-esteem, hope, and empowerment.
- Tracy shares her personal struggles with accepting imperatives to surrender and admit powerlessness when it comes to ADHD.
