Technical detail
How ADHD can affect staying in treatment
Attendance is an executive-function task
An appointment requires remembering an intention, tracking time, preparing and switching away from another activity. ADHD can interfere at any stage, even when you want treatment. Substance effects, anxiety and practical circumstances can add further obstacles.
Describe the missing step to your worker. A reminder addresses forgetting; it will not resolve a transport problem or a fear you have not discussed.
Immediate relief can outweigh a distant plan
Impulsivity and the pull of immediate reward may contribute to continued use in ADHD. Some people also report using substances to manage distress. These are possible mechanisms, not a single explanation of addiction or evidence that street drugs safely treat ADHD.
Ask for the support plan to include the moments when use happens and what need you are trying to meet, alongside help staying engaged.
Sources: 3
ADHD improvement and substance-use improvement differ
A 2019 trial involving 119 adults compared integrated ADHD and substance-use CBT with substance-use CBT alone. Integrated treatment produced a small additional improvement in ADHD symptoms after treatment, but not a significant difference in substance use.
Help with ADHD can make parts of recovery more manageable without resolving substance use by itself. At review, discuss both whether you can attend and use the support, and whether your alcohol or drug use is changing.
Sources: 4