On-Demand Webinars

“ADHD and Substance Use Disorders: How to Recognize and Manage Addiction in Adults and Adolescents” [Video Replay & Podcast #242]

In this hour long webinar on-demand, learn about the link between ADHD and substance use disorders with Timothy Wilens, M.D.

Timothy Wilens, M.D.
ADHD Expert: Timothy Wilens, M.D. Verified Updated on April 26, 2023
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Episode Description

Many experts believe that ADHD is a risk factor for substance abuse disorder (SUD). An estimated 15 and 25 percent of adults with a lifetime history of SUD also have ADHD. So how is SUD linked to ADHD? The short answer is we aren’t sure.

The longer answer is that a variety of factors play a role in the connection — everything from genetics to the dopamine receptors in the ADHD brain. One thing we do know is that ADHD is also associated with a higher risk of smoking at an earlier age and that smokers with ADHD are less likely to break the habit. Understanding the high correlation between ADHD and SUDs, as well as the catastrophic effects SUDs have on an individual and family, are key in helping doctors prevent addiction in individuals with attention deficit.

In this webinar you will learn:

  • How dopamine in the ADHD brain may play a role in SUDs
  • The role of stimulants in impacting a patient’s chances of developing an SUD
  • Best treatments for adults managing SUD
  • Best treatments for adolescents who diagnosed with SUD
  • What actions doctors can take to reduce adolescents’ chances of developing SUD

Watch the Video Replay

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Download or Stream the Podcast Audio

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This ADHD Experts webinar was first broadcast live on January 15, 2019. 

Listener testimonials:

  • “Incredible information. I guess it is mostly aimed at professionals. I’d like to hear the same presentation made for parents. Summaries and overall descriptions were super-helpful. For us ‘earth mothers’ who have resisted medications, this is truly eye-opening, and will cause some soul-searching.”
  • “This was helpful. The slides are a little technical for the average person. While they were summarized well, they were hard to follow for someone who has not looked at such technical graphs since college.”
  • “Excellent informative seminar! Doctor’s research very good and helpful. Moderator’s questions and follow up questions very concise.”

Meet the Expert Speaker:

Dr. Timothy Wilens is Chief of Child Psychiatry at Mass General and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, he is Director of Substance Abuse Services in the Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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