December 09
How do ADHD, trauma, and addiction intersect, and what strategies can help break this harmful cycle?
In this episode, Tracy Otsuka speaks with Andrea Epting, a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in trauma recovery, addiction, and neurodivergence. As a professional with ADHD and OCD, and a mother to two neurodivergent young adults, Andrea brings both personal insight and professional expertise to the conversation.
Andrea delves into the often-overlooked connection between ADHD and addiction, explaining how trauma, emotional dysregulation, and a search for dopamine can create vulnerabilities. She shares her therapeutic approach to recovery, emphasizing the importance of abstinence, community, and replacing unhealthy habits with meaningful alternatives. Andrea also highlights the unique challenges ADHD women face in emotional regulation and how breaking harmful cycles can lead to resilience and healing.
This episode provides strategies for navigating the intersections of ADHD, trauma, and recovery. Andrea offers insights into the role of mindfulness, self-compassion, and creating structure in building healthier habits. She also discusses her work through her nonprofit, Heads-Up Guidance Services (HUGS), to make mental health resources more accessible.
APPLE
SPOTIFY
YOUTUBE
"Motivational interviewing is the approach that helps people see that they have tons of choices. Let's look at what works best for them."
- Andrea Epting
"Negative core beliefs about ourselves are constantly being reinforced by our behaviors, but we can rewrite them."
- Andrea Epting
"I believe everybody needs passion and purpose, ADHD brain or not. But we, in particular, need it to be a focus."
- Andrea Epting
"You don’t want to ask anybody to stop doing the one thing that allows them to cope with this crappy life. Life is hard, but it is doable."
- Andrea Epting
"When you’re in recovery, you get to utilize all these amazing things about your ADHD brain in ways that help and serve you well."
- Andrea Epting
- Andrea Epting, a psychotherapist and founder of HUGS, was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD in elementary school during the 1980s.
- Initially excelling academically, she began struggling in 4th grade but found support through gymnastics and later discovered her path in psychology.
- Her understanding of ADHD deepened in her forties when her children were diagnosed, leading to greater self-awareness and acceptance.
[20:00 - 40:00] Understanding Addiction and ADHD
- Andrea explains how dopamine deficiency in ADHD brains can make individuals more susceptible to addiction.
- She discusses the connection between trauma and addiction, emphasizing that trauma can rewire the brain to create ADHD-like symptoms.
- Andrea describes addiction as a pathological relationship to mood-altering behavior with life-damaging consequences, highlighting the importance of understanding root causes.
[40:00 - 53:28] Recovery Approach and Living Successfully with ADHD
- She advocates for a combination of individual therapy and group support, with recovery typically taking 24 months to 5 years.
- Andrea shares her keys to success with ADHD, including eliminating media consumption and delegating email management.
- She emphasizes the importance of understanding that addiction is not a character defect but rather a copin
- lightninginabottle.biz
- headsupsavannah.org
- Planner
- Instagram: @liab_lightninginabottle
- Pinterest: liablightninginabottle
- Youtube: @directimpactimpactae
