For those who used alcohol to cope before diagnosis, what changed?
Advice needed -
I (F48) was a late diagnosed ADHD.
I have a son who is 20 and I suspect also has ADHD. He has been self medicating with alcohol for about 3 years now. Heavily.
He accepts that he most likely has ADHD and I've given him all the info about getting diagnosed, the business card of a doctor who will help, I even said I will make the appointments and get the ball rolling if he wants that. But he says he's not ready. He will think about it ....
This is beginning to impact his life in ways that I believe he feels shame over. He has big exams coming up that will be the culmination of years of work.
I don't think he will pass them in his current head space. His drinking increased after a bad break up earlier this year and is getting worse.
I spoke to a friend recently and said I think he needs to hear advice from someone other than his mum. They suggested I ask a young man who has been in the same circumstances to be a mentor or at least someone to talk to.
I don't really know anyone in my friend circle who is in a similar situation.
So, I thought I would ask the question here, and hopefully get some advice to pass on, are there any young men here in this group who have been where he is now, what helped you? Or maybe you might have some advice for me, how can I best support him?
Any advice would be appreciated ❤️