Trauma, ADHD, and substance use are often linked together. This creates a complex set of mental health challenges. One issue that has garnered increasing attention in recent years is marijuana addiction. Particularly, as it relates to those living with ADHD and a history of trauma. As marijuana is easier to access and more accepted, we need to understand how it affects people with ADHD. This is especially true for those who have survived trauma. Both doctors and the public need this knowledge. The intersection of marijuana and mental health shows how these conditions can exacerbate one another and complicate treatment.
Trauma and Its Long-Term Effects
Trauma can leave deep psychological scars. Survivors of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse often face lasting effects. These can show up as anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, or trouble managing emotions. These symptoms overlap significantly with those of ADHD, which is marked by inattention, impulsivity, and difficulty regulating emotions.
Emerging research suggests that early trauma can increase the risk of developing ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms later in life. The brain’s response to chronic stress—particularly during formative years—can alter neurological development, affecting executive functioning, attention, and emotional processing. This intersection between trauma and ADHD is fertile ground for the development of substance use disorders, including marijuana use disorder.
The Link Between Marijuana and ADHD
Many individuals with ADHD turn to marijuana for self-medication. It may temporarily ease symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, or restlessness. However, the use of marijuana as a coping mechanism is problematic, especially for trauma survivors. For these individuals, the answer to the question can you get addicted to marijuana is often yes. What starts as occasional use can quickly spiral into dependency, particularly in those who have difficulty managing impulses or emotions—core traits of ADHD.
Research on marijuana and ADHD is still evolving, but existing studies indicate that individuals with ADHD are more likely to use marijuana regularly and are at a higher risk of developing MUD. For trauma survivors, marijuana use may serve as a numbing agent for painful memories or flashbacks. Unfortunately, this reliance often leads to avoidance rather than healing, hindering emotional processing and long-term recovery.
ADHD and Marijuana: A Double-Edged Sword
When ADHD and marijuana use co-occur in someone with a trauma history, the situation becomes particularly concerning. While marijuana may momentarily mask symptoms, long-term use can impair cognitive functions—such as memory, attention, and learning—that are already compromised in ADHD. Over time, this can exacerbate symptoms rather than alleviate them.
Additionally, marijuana may interfere with the effectiveness of prescribed ADHD medications. This is especially true when stimulant medications like Adderall or Ritalin are used. The interplay between ADHD meds and marijuana can vary significantly from person to person, but some users report blunted effects of their medication or increased side effects when using both substances.
Complications in Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing and treating ADHD in trauma survivors who also use marijuana can be extremely complex. Symptoms of trauma, ADHD, and marijuana use often overlap, making it difficult to disentangle one from the other. For instance, difficulty concentrating may stem from ADHD, unresolved trauma, or chronic marijuana use—or a combination of all three.
This diagnostic challenge often leads to misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. Clinicians may overlook ADHD in trauma survivors or attribute symptoms solely to marijuana use. Conversely, marijuana use might be dismissed as recreational rather than as a sign of deeper psychological distress.
Moving Toward Integrated Care
The co-occurrence of trauma, ADHD, and marijuana use disorder necessitates a holistic approach to treatment. Traditional ADHD and marijuana treatment strategies may fall short when trauma is not addressed. Likewise, trauma therapy may be less effective if ADHD symptoms continue to undermine emotional regulation and focus.
A comprehensive treatment plan for marijuana and ADHD should include:
- Trauma informed care – Therapists trained in trauma recovery can help individuals process past events without resorting to substance use.
- ADHD Management – Behavioral therapies, lifestyle adjustments, and careful medication management can help reduce ADHD symptoms.
- Substance Use Intervention – Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, detox from marijuana or other substances, and support groups can aid in reducing or eliminating marijuana use.
Find Holistic Care for ADHD, Marijuana Use Disorder, and Trauma at Sana
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from marijuana use disorder due to trauma and/or ADHD (think about taking a drug use screening test for some clarity), consider beginning your journey to healing at Sana at Stowe. From our beautiful location in the hills of Vermont to the proven success of our wellness and holistic services, our programs surround you in luxury and compassionate care so that your road to recovery will have the best possible start.
Don’t let concerns about the rigors of detox or about resources keep you from accessing our services. Sana at Stowe offers medically-supervised detox and accepts insurance through in-network providers.
Among the benefits of residential treatment you will find at Sana are 24/7 support, structure and routine to build new coping skills for addiction, evidence-based treatment, and family involved treatment.
A Word of Hope
Consider what some of our former patients have to say: “I have gratitude beyond words. Your team is fabulous. Every one of them has been kind, caring, and a consummate professional.”
Sana at Stowe: A Place to Recover
The intersection of ADHD, marijuana use disorder, and trauma is complex—but it is not insurmountable. Each piece of the puzzle informs the other, and successful recovery requires addressing them together rather than in isolation. At Sana at Stowe, we understand the delicate interplay of neurological, emotional, and behavioral factors at work in each individual’s experience. Through trauma-informed care, evidence-based therapies, and holistic healing modalities, we help clients move beyond cycles of avoidance and addiction toward clarity, resilience, and true healing. If you or a loved one are caught in this cycle, we invite you to take that first brave step. With the right support, lasting transformation is possible. Reach out to Sana at Stowe, today! You can call us at (802) 553-3836.
