There are an overwhelming number of people with ADHD who self-medicate with marijuana.
Marijuana use in particular allows those struggling with their ADHD to dampen feelings of anxiety and frustration from constantly trying to “fit in,” and instead to feel relaxed and at ease for a short while. Eventually, heavy marijuana users with ADHD will fool themselves into thinking that they have found a truly viable coping mechanism. They will reject other forms of treatment and will brush it all off with, “I can manage my life just fine, thank you.”
Absentee Living
The truth is that for most people in this situation, they are hiding. The stress of ADHD has driven them to checking out of their own lives, perhaps intensified by years of the wrong treatment plan, bullying at school and feelings of inadequacy at home. They avoid doing what they need to do to create a fully functioning life. Instead, they choose to forfeit months or years of learning, growing, experiencing. They lag farther and farther behind the progress of their peers. And on top of it, they have to spend lots of time and money covering up their illegal behavior.
Take Control
There are such better, healthier ways to work through low self-esteem and anxiety, and to create a vibrant, rewarding life with ADHD. Ways that involve less time snacking on the couch while watching television, and more time outside with friends and family doing the things that get your pulse racing. Whether you’re reading this and thinking of a loved one or of yourself, take this opportunity to deal with the issue. Bring in an ADHD Coach to start working through the negative feelings that precipitated the drug use, and to educate yourself about the treatment alternatives without such high developmental, health and legal risks.
There is a combination of medication, coaching, exercise, and meditation that will work for you!
