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Addiction and ADHD
Linda
Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 11:53 AMre: Addiction and ADHD
Gr8fulMaria345
Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 12:40 PMthanks for your response, I am glad that there is some identification. I can't believe how much my life was affected by the ADHD, me always thinking it was my addiction. That is what I am struggling with currently. I am so glad that I found this site. I hope more people respond to my comment. I need all the help I can get at this point. Thanks again
re: Addiction and ADHD
Nancy Wederski
Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 06:39 PMBoy, reading your post, sounded just like me. I am 52 years old, soon to be 53. I was not diagosed with adult add until about a year ago, and with alot of talking to my Dr. I read many articles, and basically had to convince him that I had adult ADD. More and more, now that I have had time to think about my life, I believe I had it as a child also, but back in those days, this disease was basically non-existent, never mind prescribing the medication needed to control this disease. I had trouble studying, concentrating, taking tests, all the things that suggest having ADD. I got through school by the skin of my teeth, and joined the "Navy" because I was not smart enough for college, and needed to do something with my life. Taking the required tests in the Navy were very hard, but being in the "Navy" was the best thing I could have done in my life. I wished that I would have stayed in, but I ended up marrying a "Marine", and having a son, which, the marriage ended up in divorce, but I have a wonderful son. I did stay in government service, federal civil service, and state government. Working for private industry just would not work for me. I had to retire when I was "42" due to chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Not yet diagnosed for adult ADD, which would have helped, but can't change the past. Would like to hear from you, if U like. nwichlet@yahoo.com also on facebook. Take care. Nancy
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I also was not diagnosed with ADD until after I got sober. My sponsor at the time who also had ADHD recognized the symptoms and suggested I get evaluated. I was concerned about the medication issue since so much of ADHD meds are stimulants, so I did a lot of reading about it before I decided to go that route. It has helped, but of course has not "cured" my ADHD. I still face challenges related to it, primarily staying on task with boring activities-whether that be case notes at work, housecleaning, or balancing my checkbook! Being diagnosed was such a godsend for me however, because it answered the proverbial question for me -"why has life always seemed so hard for me" (compared to others, I guess) I have learned not to be so hard on myself, and have had to reevaluate what is really important and spend my energy there. Its an ongoing process. Having the tools of the 12 step program has really enhanced my ability to deal with the challenges of having ADD...if nothing else than to say "first things first, do the next right thing, and most importantly This too, shall pass. As a perosn with ADD, I tend to catastrophize and go off the deep end in the face of trivial life events and the program really helps me reel myself in and get regrounded. thanks for sharing your story. Linda from Texas