What is the best treatment for ADHD and addiction?

The most effective approach is integrated dual diagnosis treatment, addressing both ADHD and addiction simultaneously. This includes evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based relapse prevention, combined with ADHD-specific psychoeducation and life skills support. Medication management for ADHD may also be considered as part of a comprehensive plan.

Do you provide ADHD diagnosis at Cielo?

Our clinical team conducts thorough assessments and can evaluate for ADHD symptoms. We work collaboratively with prescribers for medication management when clinically appropriate. If you have a prior diagnosis, our team will incorporate that into your individualized treatment plan.

Can I be treated for ADHD if I'm also in addiction recovery?

Yes. With proper clinical supervision, ADHD can and should be treated during addiction recovery. Untreated ADHD is one of the most common drivers of relapse. Our integrated approach ensures that your ADHD treatment is coordinated with your recovery plan for the safest, most effective outcome.

What types of addiction do you treat alongside ADHD?

We treat a wide range of substance use disorders, including alcohol, opioids, stimulants (including prescription medications like Adderall misuse), cannabis, benzodiazepines, and other prescription drugs. People with ADHD commonly struggle with stimulant and alcohol use in particular.

Do you offer evening treatment options?

Yes. Cielo offers one of the only Evening Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) in Portland, making treatment accessible to working adults, parents, students, and others who cannot attend during daytime hours.

ADHD & Addiction Treatment in Portland, Oregon

ADHD and Addiction Often Go Hand in Hand

If you or someone you love is living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Research consistently shows that people with ADHD are significantly more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those without it. The impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty managing daily responsibilities that come with ADHD can create real vulnerability to substance use.

At Cielo Treatment Center in Portland, Oregon, we specialize in understanding that connection and treating both conditions together. Our licensed clinicians and medical staff are experienced in the complex relationship between ADHD and addiction, and we create individualized treatment plans that address both at their roots.

Studies estimate that 25 to 50% of adults seeking treatment for substance use disorders also meet criteria for ADHD. Treating only the addiction without addressing the underlying ADHD dramatically increases the risk of relapse.

Understanding the ADHD and Addiction Connection

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, impulse control, and executive function. Many people with undiagnosed or undertreated ADHD turn to substances such as alcohol, stimulants, cannabis, or opioids as a way to self-medicate. Substances may temporarily ease the restlessness, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm that comes with ADHD. Over time, however, this coping mechanism can spiral into dependency.

Common patterns we see at Cielo include:

Using alcohol or cannabis to slow racing thoughts and improve sleep
Using stimulants to stay focused, meet work demands, or feel productive
Using opioids or benzodiazepines to manage anxiety or emotional pain
Impulsive decision-making leading to escalating substance use
Difficulty maintaining treatment compliance without specialized support

When ADHD goes untreated while someone is in addiction recovery, the likelihood of relapse increases substantially. That is why our approach at Cielo integrates ADHD assessment and treatment directly into addiction recovery.

How Cielo Treats ADHD and Addiction Together

Cielo Treatment Center is one of the few outpatient programs in Portland that provides integrated treatment for co-occurring ADHD and addiction. Rather than treating these conditions in silos, we approach them as interconnected, because they are.

Comprehensive Assessment

Before developing a treatment plan, our clinical team conducts a thorough assessment of both substance use history and ADHD symptoms. This helps us understand the full picture: how long ADHD has been present, whether it was diagnosed previously, and how it has contributed to substance use patterns.

Individualized Treatment Planning

No two people with ADHD and addiction look exactly the same. Your treatment plan at Cielo is built around your unique history, goals, and needs. Our licensed counselors and therapists work with you to create a plan that is realistic, compassionate, and clinically sound.

Evidence-Based Therapeutic Modalities

Our treatment integrates proven approaches that are particularly effective for ADHD and addiction:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and reframe thinking patterns that contribute to impulsive behavior and substance use.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Builds skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness : areas often challenging for people with ADHD.
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention: Teaches present-moment awareness to reduce impulsive reactions to cravings and emotional triggers.

REBT / SMART Recovery: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy addresses the belief systems that drive self-destructive behavior.
Psychoeducation: Understanding how ADHD affects the brain : and how that intersects with addiction : is a powerful tool in recovery.
Life Skills & Executive Function Coaching: Practical support for time management, organization, budgeting, and structure : skills that ADHD often makes harder.

What Our ADHD & Addiction Treatment Program Includes

Treatment at Cielo is comprehensive and holistic. For clients with ADHD and co-occurring substance use disorder, programming may include:

Individual addiction therapy sessions
Individual mental health therapy addressing ADHD symptoms and history
Group therapy : process groups, psychoeducation, boundaries, healthy relationships
DBT skills training for emotion regulation and impulse control
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and role-play for real-life refusal skills
Life skills coaching: time management, financial planning, goal setting
Stress management and regulation of emotions
Family support and family therapy sessions
Recovery yoga and Heart Core Healing
Nutrition and wellness education
Art therapy and creative expression
Anger management
Case management services

Who We Help

Our ADHD and addiction treatment program serves adults in Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest, including:

Adults with diagnosed or suspected ADHD who are struggling with substance use
Individuals who have tried addiction treatment before but keep relapsing : especially those who suspect an underlying ADHD diagnosis
Young adults navigating the pressures of school, work, and independence alongside ADHD and addiction
Working professionals managing high-stakes careers while dealing with ADHD and substance use in private
LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking affirming, inclusive care
Those seeking culturally informed treatment, including Indigenous healing practices through the White Bison and Medicine Wheel model

Why Choose Cielo Treatment Center?

Integrated dual diagnosis care:
We treat ADHD and addiction together : not separately.

Evening IOP available:

One of the only evening programs in Portland : ideal for those who work or have daytime responsibilities.

Community-focused environment:
A welcoming, inclusive setting where clients feel seen and supported.

Holistic, whole-person care:
Yoga, art therapy, CrossFit, outings, and mindfulness woven into recovery.

Joint Commission Accredited
Nationally recognized for quality and safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

ADHD doesn't directly cause addiction, but it significantly raises the risk. Impulsivity, a hallmark of ADHD, makes it harder to resist substances. Many people with ADHD also self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to manage restlessness, emotional dysregulation, or concentration difficulties, sometimes without realizing that's what they're doing. Treating ADHD as part of addiction recovery dramatically reduces relapse risk.

Let's Rewrite Your Story

You don't have to have it all figured out before reaching out. What matters is that you take the first step. Healing can begin right here, right now, with people who truly care.

Contact Us

Medically reviewed by:

Solara Salazar MS, CADC-II, CGACR

Solara Salazar is a highly experienced behavioral health professional with a background spanning DUII treatment, residential care, medication-assisted treatment, and corrections. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, a Bachelor’s in Human Development, and a Master’s in Management and Organizational Leadership. With both professional expertise and lived experience in recovery, she brings a well-rounded, evidence-informed approach to treating substance use and mental health disorders. Her work is grounded in helping clients build a strong, sustainable foundation for long-term recovery.