ADHD and Addictions

As I have not met with you, your son or otehr involved around your situation, please be advised that the answers I am giving are still for a hypothetical case of someone that might be presenting as you have described. Only someone who is able to do a full assessment can reallly answer about your situation.

It is true that some people with ADHD or ADHD-type symptoms will use substances (including cocaine) as a way of self-medicating because of the way that cocaine (and other substances) can make them feel that they are being more focused. Thus, there is reason for concern. There are two aspects that I would suggest that you consider at this point.

The first aspect is where your son is at with respects to treatment of his ADHD. You speak of him as having ADHD but give no indication as to whether he got and is still getting effective treatment for it. The fact that he never really suceeded in school and the nature of his current work would make me wonder if this is being treated well right now. If it is not, then this would be a clear red flag and possible contributor to having or developing a problem with addictions.

The other aspect is that it may be hard for you to determine the degree to which he has a problem with cocaine and/or otehr substances. Your daughter was clearly concerned enough to raise the issue to you, which is out of her character. Her report is that he admits to having used cocaine multiple times (it could be even more than what he reported and his report that it is not a big deal would be no indication that it is not a big deal - just that he does not believe it to be a big deal even if it is causing other problems). The question is what effects are being experienced as a result of his use? The information you provided and probably that you have is not enough to know where he is at on the spectrum of substance use and its associated problems. What is clear is that at this point he is not seeing his use as being a problem. As a result, he may not be ready for assistance - both in terms of being honest enough with a professional to get a real picture of where he is at and in terms of receptiveness to being impacted by the intervention.

While recognizing that the problem is not your problem, you can make gentle inquiries and encouragement to your son. But remember that this is his problem and not your problem at this stage. It would seem to me that the best initial course of action is to address the treatment of the ADHD. If this can be done in a setting or with a clinician who can also assess then address the substance use, this would be preferable. At least basic screening would be helpful at this stage.