Is Addiction Neurodivergent?

Understanding the Connection Between Neurodiversity and Addiction

When you think of neurodivergence, or atypical brain function, you probably think of autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, or an ADHD diagnosis. But is addiction neurodivergent? Not officially. Neurodiversity and addiction share some similarities, and researchers are looking into overlaps that may one day group substance use disorders as part of the neurodivergent spectrum disorder.

For now, though, substance abuse and neurodivergence are treated as closely related but separate disorders.

At Catalina Behavioral Health in Tucson, Arizona, we provide clients with an addiction treatment team that offers support for all substance use disorders and dual diagnosis conditions. The compassionate team at our JCAHO-accredited facility gives their full commitment to helping all overcome addictive behavior, neurodivergent person or not.

If you or a loved one is facing mental health issues, including substance use-related problems, perhaps worsened by neurodivergent conditions, we can help. This page will explain how we can help neurotypical people manage their mental health conditions and overcome drug or alcohol use disorders.

What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?

Neurodivergence comes from natural variations in the human brain, affecting how people process information and relate to the world around them. Of course, autistic individuals are best-known example of this. But besides autism spectrum disorder, neurodivergent individuals can include those with:

• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD symptoms)
• Tourette Syndrome

Autistic people and others on the neurodivergent spectrum have executive dysfunction; substance abuse can make issues with impulse control, attention and focus, and emotional dysregulation even worse.

How Addiction Impacts the Brain and Executive Function

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can alter the brain’s chemistry and structure, especially in the areas of executive function.

Those brain regions support self-control, decision-making, and emotions. Repeated drinking or using other substances changes the brain’s reward system and makes it more difficult to resist cravings.

Neurodiverse People Might Be More Vulnerable to Addiction

Neuro-atypical individuals may become dependent on alcohol or drugs more readily than the general population. Their unique brains place them at an increased risk of using recreational drugs as self-medication to mask social anxiety, sensory overload, or a lack of coping skills.

ASD Symptoms and the Risk of Developing SUD

A diagnosis of autism can mean several social and emotional challenges that lead to increased risk factors for addictive behaviors.

For example, individuals diagnosed with ADHD or ASD may have more difficulty in communicating with others than their non-ADHD or non-autistic peers. Or, they may have uncomfortable, unwanted symptoms that lead to becoming easily distracted; they may view using drugs as an effective treatment in reducing sensory overload.

Linking an ADHD Diagnosis and Substance Use Disorders

ADHD strongly links to having an SUD diagnosis. A 2023 study by Bournemouth University showed that people with ADHD tend to be more impulsive than others. From their online behavioral addictions to drinking and drug use, their brains gravitate toward instant rewards.

Without receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment for both the ADHD and the substance use, the debilitating symptoms continue to become harder to manage. People struggle start feeling overwhelmed, causing a higher risk of future addictive behavior.

Dual Diagnosis Requires Comprehensive Mental Health Care

Dual diagnoses refers to those with a substance or alcohol use disorder having a second mental health condition. The other mental health disorder can be:

• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders

These present differently based on individual factors. A common thread is using alcohol, depressants, or stimulant medication to self-medicate, which provides short-term relieve for their symptoms.

Managing Co-occurring Conditions for Life

Many neurodivergent people live with co-occurring conditions like substance or alcohol abuse. These complications make recovery from substance use even harder than in their peers without autism.

Treating neurodiversity and addiction to achieve a more balanced life will also mean structuring coping tools around their learning differences.

Because of the strong relationship between neurodivergent people and bullying, autistic people and those with ADHD may also face factors like depression, anxiety, or trauma. We help them discover how they can create a safe space for healing and equip them with coping tools that address their unique risk factors.

Coping Strategies for Overlapping Drug/Alcohol Use Disorder and Neurodivergence

Our therapists help neurodivergent individuals gain the tools they need for addiction treatment and beyond clients at Catalina Behavioral Health learn how to:

• Engage in creating structured daily routines that work for them – during therapy and after leaving their treatment program
• Manage sensory experiences through deep breathing techniques, mindfulness meditation, and yoga
• Continue improving communication skills
• Form a support network of safe people to rely on after addiction treatment
• Find and engage with post-treatment community resources, including SMART Recovery, AA, or NA

Mastering these coping strategies can provide immediate relief from the triggers that lead to alcohol or drug abuse.

Beyond that, these techniques can help reduce the break the strands connecting neurodiversity and addiction to help people with lasting recovery.

Early Intervention for Neurodivergent Individuals

Early intervention helps avoid the need for addiction treatment through awareness campaigns before they develop substance use disorders. The connection between neurodiversity and addiction is clear.

When family members or friends see the signs of addiction, they should respond right away and offer the appropriate support. That can mean discussing concerns using non-judgmental, clear language, encouraging the person to get professional help for the addiction, or offering to lend an ear when they’re having a bad day. Even small gestures of support can be meaningful and make a difference.

The most effective early intervention depends on the person’s needs. Watch for these signs of increased SUD risk in people with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent conditions:

• Social isolation
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Self-medicating sensory issues
• Starting use of recreational substances
• Mild to moderate depression or anxiety

These behaviors can be the first warnings when something’s amiss in your neurodivergent loved one.

Effective Addiction Treatment for Neurodivergent People

Catalina Behavioral Health believes in providing holistic treatment to meet the needs of each person who receives care at our addiction treatment facility.

Our clients have entrusted us with their mental well-being because we provide:

• Individualized care plans that matches each person’s needs. For autistic people, we also pay close attention to meeting their sensory needs.
• Neurodiversity-affirming therapy is delivered by skilled professionals who understand the connection between neurodiversity and addiction.
• Integrated mental health support to address co-occurring needs; we focus on both addiction and treatment of root causes.
• Adaptive communication supports, using visual aids or simplified language to communicate well with people with ADHD, dyslexia, or other neurodivergence.
• Proper levels of care, with inpatient services available to those in need of the most critical care and outpatient treatment options for those with good daily functioning.
• Evidence-based therapies, including individual, family, and group therapy, using proven strategies to break addiction.
• Predictable daily routines, which helps people with ADHD or other neurodiversities stay focused on therapy throughout the day.
• Insurance verification services, allowing us to ensure each client gets the appropriate treatments approved for their addiction, ADHD, or co-occurring disorders

Call Catalina for Comprehensive Addiction Care Programs Today

It is hard to end a drug and alcohol addiction, perhaps even more so for neurodivergent individuals. An addiction alongside ADHD or autism requires a thoughtful, well-planned addiction treatment plan – one like you will find at Catalina Behavioral Health.

Whether addiction should be classified as neurodivergent or not remains a topic that’s been almost endlessly researched and debated. Don’t wait for the researchers to put a fine point on their decision – the time to reach out and get the comprehensive care you need is right now.

Call our admissions office today; you’ll learn how you can overcome your addiction and better manage your ADHD or autism symptoms.