Many people can relate to using a drink or two to ease social discomfort at a party when you don’t know anyone. Research suggests young adults with ADHD are particularly likely to turn to alcohol as a social lubricant.
They generally face a heightened risk of developing alcohol-related problems. Some studies indicate they are up to twice as likely to engage in problematic drinking compared to their peers without ADHD. But what drives this increased vulnerability? New research points to a significant, and potentially overlooked, factor: how these young people perceive their own social skills.
Researchers analyzed data from 333 young adults, roughly half of whom had ADHD. Participants reported on their perceived social abilities, reasons for drinking alcohol, and the amount they consumed between the ages of 18, and 21. Follow-up assessments of their alcohol apply and any related problems were conducted at age 23.
The study revealed that young people with ADHD experience greater social insecurity. On average, they rate themselves as less socially adept or sense less comfortable in social settings. This social unease appears to influence their alcohol consumption patterns.
Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
The researchers discovered a correlation between increased social insecurity and a greater tendency to use alcohol as a coping strategy – a way to manage negative feelings or stress. Young adults with ADHD who used alcohol for this purpose were also more likely to experience alcohol-related problems. This finding highlights the importance of understanding the motivations behind alcohol use in this population.
Interestingly, the research also identified a contrasting pattern. Childhood ADHD was associated with lower motivation to drink in order to become more sociable. This, in turn, correlated with less frequent heavy drinking at age 23 and fewer alcohol-related problems.
This suggests that not all drinking motivations have the same effect. Drinking to cope with stress or insecurity appears more problematic than drinking for social reasons.
Social Challenges Often Start Early
The role of social factors in ADHD is not new. Children and teenagers with ADHD are more often excluded or rejected by their peers. They tend to have fewer friends, and their social skills are frequently rated as weaker.
These challenges don’t automatically disappear with age. Many adults with ADHD continue to experience difficulties in social relationships and in the workplace. Substance use, including alcohol, is also relatively common among this group.
The new study demonstrates that an individual’s own perception of their social skills is particularly crucial. Those who view themselves as less sociable or feel uncomfortable in social situations may be more likely to turn to alcohol to manage those feelings.
Opportunities for Prevention
According to the researchers, these findings offer opportunities for prevention. Helping young people with ADHD develop better coping mechanisms for social stress or insecurity could potentially prevent alcohol from becoming a crutch.
Social skills training, building self-confidence, and teaching healthy coping strategies are therefore crucial in reducing alcohol problems within this population.
In other words, addressing alcohol use alone isn’t enough; the social context and how young people with ADHD experience it are also vital.
We’ve written more about this topic, read for example also This well-known ADHD medication increases your heart rate and blood pressure even after a single use and People with ADHD are really more creative. And this is the reason. Or read this article: Explosion in the number of people taking ADHD medication: these are the causes.
Enjoyed reading? Also listen to the Scientias Podcast:
