Buckle up, kiddos… I’m about to drop a truth bomb:
I loved being under the influence.
Not in the “party every weekend” kind of way. I’m talking about the quiet, functional, “I feel more like myself when I drink” kind of way. For years, I told myself it was about escaping depression—that alcohol helped me enjoy the moment. Helped me stop worrying about the future. Helped me forget the shame of the past.
But that wasn’t the full story.
Once I started taking ADHD medication and slowly stepping back from alcohol, I realized something wild:
I’ve been self-medicating undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for decades. “I didn’t realize how much ADHD and alcohol use were connected until I started to look at my own habits…”
And I’m not alone.
🧠 ADHD and Alcohol: A Messy, Scientific Mess
Research shows there’s a clear link between ADHD and alcohol abuse. Many of us with ADHD struggle with impulsivity. Mix in a craving for stimulation (hellooo dopamine), and what you get is this:
We don’t just drink—we chase the feeling until the feeling chases us.
The problem? Alcohol and ADHD are a horrible mix.
We become more impulsive
Our memory gets worse
Our emotional regulation goes out the window
And the dopamine crash afterward? Brutal.
🎢 The Cycle That Hooked Me
Here’s why alcohol feels good with ADHD:
It floods your brain with dopamine.
That’s our drug. We don’t make enough of it naturally, so when something gives us a rush, it feels like coming up for air.
But the problem is what comes next:
The dopamine drops. The mood crashes. You feel worse than before.
So what do you do?
You drink again. Smoke again. Numb again.
And the cycle repeats.
💥 Final Thoughts
This post isn’t about preaching. It’s about recognizing patterns. It’s about understanding that self-medication isn’t weakness—it’s survival mode when no one gives you a manual for your brain.
But once you do understand what’s really going on?
You start reclaiming your choices.
And that’s the first real buzz I ever wanted.