Mary Sweet
LP 13
Overview of Mental Disorders
May 3, 2018
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance during adolescence, with a third of high school seniors having ever tried alcohol and almost a fifth of al twelfth graders having had 5 or more drinks on one occasion during the past two weeks. (Johnston, O’Malley, Miech, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2015) A potential risk factor for alcohol problems in childhood ADHD. ADHS is a developmental disorder featuring maladaptive levels of inattention, excessive activity, and impulsiveness. It is also one of the most common reasons kids are referred for mental health services in the United States. (Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, Pg. 483)
Those with ADHD have two categories of symptoms. The first in inattention where the person is not listening to the other person talking. A child in school may forget assignments, forget their books at school and make careless mistakes in their homework. The other category of symptoms is hyperactivity or impulsivity which can include having trouble sitting still, fidgeting, running and jumping most of the time with trouble sitting for any length of time. Those with this disorder often have a hard time in school and are often rejected by their peers.
Early ADHD is a risk factor for adolescent and adult alcohol and substance use and abuse. Many people with this disorder will turn to drugs or alcohol to help them relax or calm down. Alcohol or drug use may also help those with ADHD bec...
