In this blog post, we will look at some of the research about ADHD and addiction, why the two are so closely linked, and how getting an ADHD assessment can be a part of recovery.
How common is ADHD in UK adults?
Recent NHS data suggest that ADHD is much more common than previously recognised. The 2023–24 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey for England found that about 1 in 7 adults (13.9%) screened positive for ADHD traits, although only a much smaller proportion had a formal diagnosis.
An NHS taskforce report in 2025 estimated that around 2.5 million people in England may have ADHD, with only about a third currently diagnosed and more than half a million people on waiting lists for an assessment.
Considering this, it is not surprising that many people first present to services with addiction or mental health difficulties, with underlying ADHD only identified later.
How often do ADHD and addictions overlap?
There is a strong, consistent link between ADHD and substance use disorders (SUDs):
- Studies have shown around 20–25% of adults in addiction treatment to also meet criteria ADHD, compared with roughly 2–4% in the general adult population.
- Adults with ADHD appear to be at least twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder as adults without ADHD.
- When ADHD and addiction co-occur, people tend to have more severe and longer-lasting substance problems than those without ADHD.
ADHD is also associated with higher rates of behavioural addictions, such as problematic gaming, internet use and gambling.
Why ADHD can increase vulnerability to addiction: 5 important traits
1. Impulsivity and “now vs later”
Not everyone with ADHD develops an addiction, and not everyone with an addiction has ADHD. But certain features of ADHD can make addictive behaviours more likely.
ADHD is strongly linked to impulsivity, difficulty delaying rewards and preference for immediate relief or pleasure.
Substances and addictive behaviours often provide:
- Quick changes in mood or energy
- Instant relief from boredom or emotional discomfort
- Immediate stimulation (for example, gambling, gaming, scrolling)
2. Emotional dysregulation and self-medication
Many people with ADHD describe:
- Feeling “too much” or “too little”
- Rapid mood shifts
- Intense shame after mistakes or rejection
Alcohol, cannabis, sedatives or other substances can be used to:
- Calm overwhelming emotions
- Sleep
- “Switch off” racing thoughts
- Reduce social anxiety
For many people, this is a form of self-medication. Although it can have short-term benefits, over time, it can create dependency and worsen mood, anxiety and ADHD symptoms.
3. Rejection sensitivity and low self-esteem
Repeated experiences of being criticised, “in trouble”, missing deadlines or underperforming (despite effort) can lead to:
- Chronic low self-worth or low self-esteem
- Rejection sensitivity
- Social withdrawal or masking
Substances or behaviours like gambling, gaming or online communities can temporarily provide:
- A sense of mastery
- Escape from negative self-talk
- Social connection without the same demands as offline life
4. Executive functioning difficulties
ADHD is associated with difficulties in:
- Planning and organising
- Monitoring time and limits
- Learning from consequences in a consistent way
This can make it harder to:
- Stick to “just one drink” or “only at weekends”
- Follow through with treatment plans
- Manage finances around gambling, gaming or shopping
- Notice early warning signs of relapse
5. Shared biological and environmental risk factors
Research suggests that ADHD and addictions share some overlapping risk factors:
- Genetic factors affecting the brain’s dopamine and reward systems
- Childhood adversity and trauma
- Family environments where substances are normalised or used to cope
This does not mean addiction is inevitable. But it can help explain why the two conditions so often cluster together.
Behavioural addictions and ADHD
The conversation about ADHD and addiction has often focused on alcohol and drugs. Increasingly, research and clinical services are also looking at behavioural addictions. These can include:
- Gambling – both online and in person
- Gaming – particularly massive multiplayer online games
- Social media and smartphone over-use
- Online shopping or compulsive buying
- Pornography and sexual behaviours
Studies have found:
- Strong associations between ADHD traits and problematic internet use, gaming and social media dependence.
- Higher rates of ADHD among people seeking treatment for behavioural addictions, including gambling.
- Adults with ADHD may be more prone to multiple addictive behaviours, not just one.
For many adults, especially younger adults, “addiction” may look more like:
- Hours lost to scrolling or gaming, with sleep, work or relationships suffering
- Compulsive in-app spending
- Gambling that started as “a bit of fun” and is now hard to control
These patterns still deserve to be taken seriously, particularly when ADHD traits are present.
Does ADHD medication help or harm addiction risk?
A common fear is that prescribing stimulant medication (like methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine) for ADHD will “cause” addiction or make it worse.
However, research suggests that identifying and treating ADHD can improve addiction treatment outcomes and risk of later substance use disorders.
In practice:
- Stimulant medication is not usually used as a standalone solution when there is an active addiction.
- For some people in stable recovery or with mild use, treating ADHD can make it easier to benefit from psychological therapies, keep appointments and implement coping strategies.
- Non-stimulant options may be considered when stimulant misuse is a concern.
Important!: Medication decisions are individual and should always be made with a specialist who understands both ADHD and addiction.
What to look out for: signs of addiction in people with ADHD
There is no single test that tells you whether someone has an addiction. However, some warning signs include:
For substances (alcohol, drugs, prescribed medications):
- Needing more to get the same effect
- Using earlier in the day or more often than planned
- Difficulty stopping or cutting down
- Using to cope with stress, sleep, boredom or social situations
- Continuing to use despite problems at work, study, health or relationships
- Withdrawal symptoms (for example, shakes, sweats, irritability, insomnia) when not using
If want to identify possible substance misuse, the ASSIST-Lite tool can be a good place to start.
For behavioural addictions (gaming, gambling, shopping, social media):
- Losing track of time and neglecting sleep, meals or hygiene
- Spending more money than intended (for example, on in-game purchases or gambling)
- Lying or hiding behaviour from others
- Feeling restless, low or irritable when not engaging in the activity
- Repeated failed attempts to cut down or stop
- Using the activity to escape from difficult emotions or situations
People with ADHD may “normalise” some of these behaviours as just being “bad with time” or “always all-or-nothing”. If you notice loss of control, harm and continued use despite harm, it is worth seeking support.
Getting help in the UK
If you are worried about addiction (with or without ADHD), support is available:
- Your GP – a good first point of contact for discussing both ADHD traits and addiction concerns.
- NHS drug and alcohol services – local services can usually be accessed via self-referral or GP referral; the NHS website lists options and explains what treatment can involve.
- Specialist gambling or behavioural addiction services
- Peer support groups – such as AA, NA, SMART Recovery, Gamblers Anonymous or ADHD peer groups; many offer online meetings.
If you are in crisis or feeling at risk of harming yourself, emergency and crisis mental health services should be accessed immediately via NHS 111, your local crisis team or A&E.
How an ADHD assessment can support recovery
For some people in addiction services, discovering they have ADHD is a turning point. It can:
- Provide an explanation for lifelong patterns of difficulty
- Inform medication decisions, taking account of both ADHD and addiction history
- Guide reasonable adjustments at work or study that reduce stress and relapse risk
- Open up access to ADHD-focused psychological support and coaching
Given the long waiting lists in many areas, some people explore remote ADHD assessments through NHS-commissioned or private neurodiversity services.
Read more about the ADHD assessments we can offer at NeuroDiverse Online. Want to know if you might be neurodiverse? Take our FREE neurodiversity online test here.
Further reading
- Moldekleiv, C. D., et al. Prevalence of substance use disorder in individuals with ADHD: A meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 2025.
- Wilens, T. E., & Morrison, N. R. The intersection of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance abuse. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 2012.
- Barbuti, M., et al. Challenges of treating ADHD with comorbid substance use disorder. 2023.
- NICE Guideline NG87: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management. Last reviewed 2025.
- NHS England. Report of the Independent ADHD Taskforce (Part 1). 2025.
- Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2023–24: Chapter 9, ADHD.
- Starcevic, V., et al. Relationships between behavioural addictions and psychiatric disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2017.
- Koncz, P., et al. The emerging evidence on the association between ADHD and problematic internet use and gaming. 2023.
