Is it ADHD or Addiction?

Send us Fan MailAdam has finally received his ADHD diagnosis—and yes, it’s official! (Cue shock, tears, and a whole lot of numbness.) This week, Adam and Donna get real about the emotional rollercoaster of the diagnosis process—how it felt, what it means, and the big, looming question: What’s next? Will Adam become a recluse? Is medication about to change everything?But that’s just the start. In this episode, we dive into a topic we’ve been avoiding: Addiction. Adam always believed ADHD explained everything—maybe even that a diagnosis would be a “cure.” Spoiler: it’s not that simple. We unpack the real connection between ADHD and addiction, bust some myths (“Not everyone with ADHD is an addict, and not all addicts have ADHD”), and dig into Adam’s own journey with alcohol.We talk social anxiety, the confidence boost (and chaos) of drinking, and how addiction isn’t always what you think—it’s not just daily drinking. There’s bingeing, blackouts, embarrassing moments, “beer fear,” and those brutal hangovers. Was there really “two Adams”? We get honest about not being able to stop, and how that spills over into other addictions like food and gambling—always chasing “more.”We get vulnerable about impulsivity, the progression of alcoholism, and the blind spots we all have when judging others. Adam opens up about his first 12-step fellowship meeting, relapsing, hitting rock bottom (hello, living in a caravan and drinking at work), and the loneliness that comes with it. But there’s hope: getting back to meetings, finding community, and choosing sobriety—plus, how Covid could’ve looked very different if Adam wasn’t sober.We also talk about the ADHD side of recovery—backing off meetings, chasing dopamine in new ways, and the rush of problem gambling. Donna shares her perspective: is she an enabler? Do you need a drink to have fun? What’s it like living with a “manchild”? We get real about honesty, self-medicating, and how recovery changes you.Plus: a listener’s email, and our 5-minute moans (featuring towels and socks—you know the drill).Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g8s2yF1lQiwJoin the conversation and share your story:Instagram: @adhdorlifepodFacebook: @adhdorlifepodTikTok: @adhdorlifepodTwitter/X: @adhdorlifepodWebsite: www.adhdorlife.comListen on Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast app!If this episode resonates, let us know! Drop a comment, DM, or email—we love hearing from you.#ADHDorLife #ADHDPodcast #ADHDAwareness #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholAddiction #MentalHealthMatters #Neurodiversity #SoberJourney #CouplesWithADHD #RealTalk #RecoveryCommunity #HonestConversations #PodcastEpisode #ShareYourStory #YouAreNotAloneTune in every week for more conversations and revelations! Send your good, bad and ugly stories to [email protected]. Like and Subscribe to see our faces here: http://www.youtube.com/@ADHDorLifepodFollow us on Tik Tok for extra snippits and more: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhdorlifepodFollow us on Instagram for up to date info: https://www.instagram.com/adhdorlifepod/