Adult ADHD and addiction

[soontobeasmith]

I'm a 33 year old woman with a history of substance abuse.  I'm wondering if my problems with illicit drugs stem from an undiagnosed mental health issue, possibly ADHD.  I've been treated for OCD and depression for the past 5 years, but none of the meds seemed to really help, and now I wonder if I was misdiagnosed.  I have all the symptoms of ADHD, including impulsive behavior, which led me to prison.  I made some very impulsive decisions, completely out of character for me.  I've had a problem with that my whole life, not only during my period of drug abuse.  I also suffer from insomnia (I can't seem to shut my brain down long enough to go to sleep most nights), anxiety, difficulty completing a task, and inability to sit still, even when I'm sleeping.  
Where can I go for help with this?  I've lost faith in my doctor, he hasn't been able to help me at all.  I feel like my mental health is dragging me back toward my addiction, and the relief it brought me.  That is unacceptable!  What resources are out there for people like me?
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[soontobeasmith]

Of course addiction IS a choice, and one of the keys to recovery is accountability.  However, I do believe that some people are more predisposed to addiction due to genetics. Also, I don't think its a coincidence that so many people have a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and some other mental health condition.

[thebabyalex]

The fact that more males than females are diagnosed as AD(H)D is highly suggestive of the political and social function of our MH system. This supposed uptick in females being diagnosed is more so a social phenomenon that it is a medical emergent one. For those with gender equity bone to pick, the fact that girls and women are "presenting" with symptoms is most propitious!

[allmymarbles]

The test I had was a 24-hour saliva and urine test. I think the lab was NeuroScience.

[Sandman2]

   yes, a family doctor is not the best way to go.  You definitely want to see a psychiatrist.  It should be easy with a phone call or computer search to find one that specializes in adult ADHD.  A psychiatrist also has the medical background to help with some of your other problems.  Do check out the link I gave you.  I think you will find it informative.
  It is also common for people with undiagnosed ADHD/ADD to self medicate.  And women tend to be undiagnosed the most.  You are also at an age where the elementary/middle schools weren't very good at picking up on ADHD symptoms.
  By the way, another very, very interesting link to adult ADHD is
               http://jeffsaddmind.com/
The adults involved really hash it out.  Its worth checking out.  If you do have ADHD/ADD it certainly will give you the feeling that you are not alone.
    Best wishes

[thebabyalex]

Most substance abuse programs run on the questionable science of addiction, which might explain the high recidivism that such "disease model" programs experience. There is little corroboration that points to higher success rates for those individuals who are treated as if diseased; and such does little to re-center the individual as an autonomous and self-determining individual. There are a lot of social, economic, and even moral considerations to consider when speaking of drugging and drinking, however, there is not anything fundamentally biological about such "external" triggers. In short, substance (ab)use is a choice; a short-term solution to long term problems. Read Jeffrey Schaler's "Addiction is a choice", and you might realize that addiction as disease makes for great court ordered treatment, but says nothing about individual accountability and self-responsibility! I suggest you steer clear of those quasi-religious outfits, like AA, unless your conception of god is that of a drug counselor!

[soontobeasmith]

I haven't seen a psychiatrist yet, my doc is just the family doctor.  And I don't have insurance, which of course *****.  But I'm able to self pay in most cases, I have a good job.  
Should I go to a psychiatrist?  And how can I find someone with experience treating ADHD?

Hmmm., magnesium huh?  I'll give that a try.