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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

ACOA And ADHD



“Adult children of alcoholic parents have the highest rate of attention disorders among any clinical group.”- according to professor Steven L. Schandler, director of the Addiction Research and Cognitive Psychophysiology Laboratories at Chapman University.

In a recent Orange County Register article
(Click here for full article), Schandler also claimed that when ACOAs with ADD consume alcohol, “their systems slow down to a 'normal' level, which enhances their ability to process information.” This self medication can be a risk factor in ACOAs becoming alcoholics themselves. Children of alcoholics are up to 14 times more likely to have substance abuse problems than children of nonalcoholics.

It has also been documented that People with ADHD have at least one defective gene that makes it difficult for neurons to respond to dopamine, a key neurotransmitter regulating attention and feelings of pleasure.

What do YOU think? Do you find yourself drinking alcohol or binging on sugar or junk food in order to “feel better” or think more clearly?

One coping skill that has proven to work is exercise. Working out changes your physiology and increases chemicals called endorphins that make you feel good naturally. Plus exercise can increase blood flow, self esteem and help ward off anxiety.

What's your favorite coping mechanism?

Check out the Orange County ACA website at: Orange County Adult Children

DMCA.com

11 comments:

Unknown said...

In my opinion, this makes total sense, but the question is why? I believe it is because we ACoA's and GCoA's are unfairly put in situations where we need to exist in survival mode, or flight or fight mode. There is little ability to 'learn' when our minds need to be attuned to drama and or chaos and or abuse that is happening in our home. How can a child be expected to learn when his/her brain is under complete stress and their body is being hijacked by adrenaline--all for very valid reasons?
Lisa A. Romano ACoA Life Coach/Mentor/Author

maggie.danhakl@healthline.com said...

Hi,

Healthline just published this infographic outlining ADHD statistics and numbers in a visual guide. You can see the graphic here: http://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/facts-statistics-infographic

Our users found this info very useful as it showcases the high cost of ADHD and which states ADHD is most prevalent in, and I thought it would be a great resource for your page: http://adultchildrenaca.blogspot.com/2014/10/acoa-and-adhd.html

Please take a look at the guide and consider adding it to your page. The graphic is also embeddable, so you can embed just the images if you choose to do so.

Thanks again and let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Maggie Danhakl • Assistant Marketing Manager
Healthline • The Power of Intelligent Health
660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.healthline.com | @Healthline | @HealthlineCorp

About Us: corp.healthline.com

Anonymous said...

Lisa,

Thank you for sharing, I can relate to being hypervigilant!

Maggie,

Appreciate your input, will check it out!

C

iledoit said...

Hey,

I'm an ACOA and I wanted to share the story of my life with other people. I've made a blogspot called
"To hell and back... Back? But when?".

I'm not looking for an attention. I'm looking for myself.
Maybe my story will show some poeple that they're not alone, because it's so hard to live as an ACOA. Believe me.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
John bentrick said...

Children of alcoholic parents are more likely to be get addicted. The environment around them may influence them to become like their parents. Children are not in the state to know about the good and bad things for them. In such situations chances of getting attracted towards the drug or alcohol is obvious. Parents must take step forward to become sober to save future of the children.

elana r. snyder said...

listening to music or going 2 sing for everyone on karaoke night

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Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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